“We didn’t switch on & lacked passion”

Tim Sills in possession for Hastings & Bexhill seconds against Heathfield & Waldron thirds last weekend

That was the view of head coach Kevin Smith after H&B were beaten 36-17 away to Park House on Saturday, a result which saw them slide from first to third in Kent One.

“You have to earn the right to play rugby, and on Saturday we didn’t switch on and lacked a bit of passion,” said Smith. “It took us a half to get the journey out of us and the half time score reflected that. To be quite honest with you, it looked like Park House were going to roll us over big time.

“We made a couple of changes and in the second half we played the brand of rugby I expect from Hastings. We showed our true character in the second half, and proved we can crawl back and fight.”

H&B take a break from league action tomorrow (Saturday) as they travel to Sussex One side Crawley in round one of the RFU Junior Vase. Like H&B, Crawley have won four of their five league games to date so a good contest lies in prospect. Kick-off is 2.30pm.

“We have to get off the coach and start,” continued Smith. “If we think we’re ready when the whistle goes, then it’s too late. We need to switch on as soon as the first boot hits Crawley’s car park on Saturday.”

Elsewhere tomorrow, Rye Rugby Club will travel to Cranbrook for a tough looking RFU Junior Vase first round tie.

Cranbrook occupy top spot in Kent One and have won four of their last five matches along the way. Rye, by contrast, have lost four of their five Sussex One fixtures, the latest of which was a 34-18 reverse at home to Crawley last weekend.

“Cranbrook will be a tough game for us, as they are a decent side, but we will certainly try and take the game to them,” said Rye chairman Tony Pierce.