Fast pace and quick thinking brings home the result!

 

The pitch was in a good condition, winds were light to still, overcast with light rain after the first quarter played through to final whistle.

 

1st Half

 

From the kick-off, it was immediately obvious both teams were determined to win with fast pace, physically challenging and few handling errors. The visitors applied plenty of pressure trying to find a way through Hellingly defence, but Hellingly spotting the openings early took advantage with their first try scored in the 10th minute by Steve Gower and converted by Hugh Jones (7-0). From the reset, Hellingly capitalised within 9 minutes with their second try by Alex Bray and conversion by Hugh Jones bringing the score to 14-0. As the rain started, it didn’t appear to have any affect on either side with some excellent play fluidity and skill. The visitors were relentless in gaining ground over again into the Hellingly half with some very close point scoring chances, but Hellingly seizing every opportunity to find the breaks, secured a third try in the 26th minute by Dan Puttick, converted by Hugh Jones to 21-0. The battle was well and truly on with both teams winning and losing advantage of play almost in equal measure, but another break by Hellingly saw their 4th try in the 38th minute by Jack Puttick and again converted by Hugh Jones bring the score to 28-0. The first half whistle blew at 41 minutes with 8 scums and 10 lineouts.

 

2nd Half

 

With the rain continuing at kick off, the visitors half time talk did the job as their first try came in the 5th minutes but unsuccessful in converting it bringing the score to 28-5.  As with the first half, advantage was awarded to both teams in succession providing scrum and lineout opportunities and some very quick thinking tap & runs. The 16th minute took Hellingly to their 5th try by Ben Weston but missed the conversion (33-5). Soon after, St Leonards had a man down injured and unable to continue play. As the visitors were short of players, before the first half kick-off, Hellingly had already suggested to the referee that they would be happy to loan a player if the need arose, so that’s exactly what happened. From this point, 4 scrums and 4 lineouts later, at the 40th minute, a 6th Hellingly try was scored by Hugh Jones who also then converted his own try bring the score to 40-5. The second half resulted in injury stoppage, 5 scums and 9 lineouts, with the whistle blowing at 44 minutes.

 

Next Home Game: 18th December 1xv V Uckfield 2pm Kick-off

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