Title in our hands say H&B

Hastings & Bexhill on the attack in the win over HSBC last weekend. Picture by Simon Newstead

Last weekend’s 30-8 win at home to HSBC has kept the pressure on Park House and Cranbrook, and with the top two both having to come to William Parker in the new year, Smith is becoming increasingly optimistic.

“We’ve got Cranbrook and Park House to come to us, so the league really is in our hands, but I’ll start thinking about that after the Christmas break,” said Smith, who was delighted with last weekend’s display which preserved an unbeaten home record.

“It was probably the best 40 minutes I’ve seen Hastings play since I began coaching at the club. The first 25 minutes was fast-paced, with both forwards and backs working very well. We also defended superbly. They came over our try-line twice and we held them up on both occasions. We’ve only conceded two tries at home.”

H&B will visit mid-table King’s College Hospital in their final league game of 2013 tomorrow (Saturday).

“They know their ground well so we’ve got to turn up, put a performance in, be consistent with everything we do and pay attention to detail,” Smith added.

Kent One standings (all played 11 matches): 1 Park House 46pts, 2 Cranbrook 44, 3 HASTINGS & BEXHILL 42, 4 Vigo 30, 5 Southwark Lancers 30, 6 Old Williamsonians 27, 7 Old Gravesendians 26, 8 King’s College Hospital 22, 9 HSBC 22, 10 Sittingbourne 13, 11 Foots Cray 8, 12 Shooters Hill 7.