Sussex All Blacks lose first game of the season to Hellingly

The Sussex All Blacks came into the game having won all previous games thus far this season. Hellingly promoted at the end of last season were 2 wins and 2 narrow losses to top 5 teams.

The men in black started very well and using their forwards lead by captain and hooker Ben Dewey they made great inroads against their larger opposition.

After a couple of carries from the back row of Jon Phillpot, Adam Rez and Dave Wattam the ball was spun wide by scrum half OJ. Fly half Rhys Clarke switched with his inside centre Max Wilson who crashed through the centres to score the unconverted try 5-0.

As with previous encounters the All Blacks took their foot of the gas expecting an easy ride here on in. Hellingly however had second thoughts and Using their powerful No.8 made ground before the fly half sent out a 40 metre pass to their winger who squeezed in the corner for the unconverted score 5-5.

The next 20 minutes were an arm wrestle with both teams slugging it out up front. The All Blacks were making good ground with ball in hand whilst the Hellingly fly half was making excellent territory with his boot.

Two infringements for either side saw both fly halves slot a penalty each 8-8.

With minutes left of the half Hill gave away a penalty on the halfway line for hands in the ruck. The Hellingly fly half kicked for the corner. At the lineout the giant Hellingly second row took the ball and they mauled the ball towards the line. As the maul wheeled the Hill defenders were dragged in. The Hellingly half backs spotted this and the scrum half passed to the fly half coming in on the angle to break 2 tackles before running under the posts for the converted score to end the half 8-15.

Hill were forced to make a couple of late injury changes at half time and whilst they were sorting out positional changes at the kick off Hellingly pounced re-gathering the ball before passing down the line where their winger darted down in the corner for the unconverted score 8-20.

This score woke up the men in black and the next 30 minutes was theirs. Using their powerful pack the All Blacks pummeled their opposition. At scrum time the front 5 of Paul Hasib, Dewey, Will Arney, Gareth Davies and Cris Leahy showed a master class in scrummaging. Despite their total dominance it took 8 reset scrums, 1 yellow card and 10 minutes of play before a penalty try was finally awarded 15-20.

This score was followed up 5 minutes later when from another scrum No.8 Dave Wattam picked and went for the line. At the ruck 5 metres out the ball was picked and turned into a maul which was driven over where Phillpot crashed over. Clarke narrowly missed the extras to tie the score 20-20.

Hellingly were on the ropes with 5 to go with their pack decimated. After a rare break into the Hill half the Hellingly centre was held up in the tackle 40 metres out. The ref however called ruck the the All Blacks defenders continued to hold their man up giving away a penalty. Back chat lead to a further 10 metres. Being awarded where the classy Hellingly 10 slotted the penalty 20-23.

With 2 minutes left on the clock the All Blacks throw the kitchen sink at Hellingly however they stood firm and took the win.

The Sussex All Blacks will learn from this loss. They never got out of first gear and thought the job was done in the 5th minute. MoM went to tight head prop Will Arney who destroyed his opposite man.

Next week Hill travel to Hove to play their second team KO 3pm. With 3 senior teams the Sussex All Blacks provide rugby for all abilities. If anyone is interested in joining please contact Director of Rugby Ross Hallifax on 07941 016836.