Season 2017-2018 // 21st April 2018

LONDON 2 SOUTH

FOR PROMOTION TO LONDON 1 SOUTH HOVE V OLD REIGATIAN SATURDAY 21ST APRIL 2018

THIS YEARS PLATINUM SPONSORS:

HOVE RECREATION GROUND @HoveRugbyClub SHIRLEY DRIVE, HOVE THANK YOU TO ALLTHANK OUR SPONSORS YOU TO ALLTHANK OUR SPONSORS YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS

www.hoverugby.club

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of Hove Rugby Club call 01273 505103 If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of Hove Rugby Club call 01273 505103 www.hoverugby.club

If you are interestedwww.hoverugby.club in becoming a sponsor of Hove Rugby Club call 01273 505103

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of Hove Rugby Club call 01273 505103 PRESIDENT’S & CHAIR’S ADDRESS

Just when you thought it was all Congratulations to both Hove over – it isn’t! Last week it seemed and Old Reigatians on achieving a racing certainty that, even if we runners up position in London won and qualifi ed for the end of South East 2 and London South season play off in second place West 2 respectively and with it (London and South East Division the opportunity for promotion to 2) the play off would be an away London 1 in this winner takes all fi xture. Instead Old Reigatian lost play off fi xture. (30-29) away to London Exiles, we Richard Hopkins won and gained a bonus point, all David Forsyth We can anticipate a hard fought of which leads to this afternoon’s and competitive game between 2 eliminator for promotion back to London 1 South after a three teams that share the distinction of having the second fewest season absence. I don’t think there is any doubt that we are points conceded and the second best points difference in their a better side than we were three years ago but remains quite respective leagues. Both clubs can be justifi ably proud of the a step and the higher division is very different from the one achievements of their players this season. we left in 2014-15 – only Brighton, Cobham and Chobham remain. Reigatians and Hove last met in 2009/2010 when both teams were the same league. That season Hove fi nished in the runners As I write the weather is set fair for the weekend and catering up position and alongside Tonbridge Juddians achieved arrangements are being made; it looks as if Old Reigatian will promotion to London 1 where they remained until relegated in be bringing two coachloads of supporters (about 100 people) 2015. to Hove for the afternoon. Plans are for a buffet lunch and ready access to the bar! On behalf of the club, I extend a warm If we are looking for historical encouragement in todays meeting welcome to all our visitors including David Forsyth, Chairman of then it comes in the form of previous play off results where Old Reigatian and Gary Henderson, Chairman of Sussex RFU. the London South West sides have succeeded in 10 of the Gavin Ross, president of Sussex RFU, has sent his best wishes 17 games between the 2 leagues. However, on 9 of those to the team but is unable to be with us. occasions it is the home side that have triumphed.

Next weekend it’s the Bob Rogers Cup Final on Saturday April We look forward to a great game of open running rugby and 28 – with Horsham again providing the opposition; the game may the best side win. takes place at Hastings (kick off 3pm). On Sunday our Colts are in the fi nal to be played at Heathfi eld. David Forsyth Chairman ORRFC After that, it could be that there is some time to draw breath before it starts all over again. I hope so – for the sake of all those who put so much into making the club the great place that it is. Last weekend an old friend was visiting Sussex and I invited him to lunch at the club – no problem with fi tting him at late notice (thanks, Maddy) - and within an hour of arriving he had already got a very good sense of the friendly, sociable atmosphere that prevails in the clubhouse and commented on it. Visitors and members alike regularly remark on the warmth of the welcome which they receive. We do need to keep this up – a large part of it fl ows from the unstinting generosity of FUN FACT our volunteers, particularly with their time – one of whom, Andy Ward, is stepping down for a hugely deserved break after years “In the last eight of great service to the club in many different roles. We do need to replace him and to fi nd a new commercial manager and we do need every one of our members to play a part in ensuring the playoffs the home club continues to make progress while retaining the inclusivity, friendliness and kindliness which distinguishes it. team has won four

I hope that many of you reading this will be attending the ball times and so has the next week – and I hope also that you will make the effort to attend the club’s AGM on May 31. away team”

In the meantime, enjoy the game this afternoon - and have a great time. Richard HOW WE GOT HERE

All good stories have a beginning, a middle and an end. In terms of this story, a good starting point is probably 24th April 2010.

That date was the last time that we Change was starting to happen - what had started off as a very sat in second place in London 2 young team that got relegated from London 1 had started to South East and our superior record develop into a much more mature team as the seasons went on. meant that we would welcome Keeping faith with the players and with the coaching set up was Guernsey in a play off to decide who starting to pay off. The team was regularly hitting around 60% of Phil Ward would reach London 1 South. We’d the team all players who had played youth rugby for Hove and go on to win that game in a very players were coming back into the team either as they finished narrow encounter, with a scoreline of 17-14 to achieve London Colts or when they came back from university and players who 1 status for the first time in our history. joined the club as adults quickly found themselves loving what the club was about. A decent first run out in 2010/11 saw us finish in a respectable 9th place before we achieved our highest ever position of 5th in As we approached the start of the 2017/18 season, a London 1 South in 2011/12. A similar finish the next season of miscommunication ended up looking like a masterstroke! Former 6th proved to be a good finish in a competitive league. Hove youth player and Sussex Coach Jack Newton had been doing a bit of coaching with the team at the end of the previous At the time, there were an increasing number of stories of clubs season and had been offered a regular coaching role for the season who had bought in players and moved up the leagues only going forward. At the same time, conversations were happening to find that the promised land of a higher level came with a with Ryan Storer, also a former Hove youth player, who had spent new set of challenges and some of these clubs had bottomed some time at Cornish Pirates and Ealing in the Championship was out and seemed to be in a bit of a free fall - not too dissimilar available for coaching. Worries about the budget aside, both were to the stories of clubs like London Scottish, Richmond and brought on to the coaching team and the intent was to have the West Hartlepool in the Premiership when the game first turned fittest team going into the new season. professional. A good pre-season win against Worthing Raiders A led into a With a game that also seemed to be shrinking (at one point more competitive match with Old Dunstonian, which also resulted Hove used to run six teams but at this point we were down to in a win. Hove, who previously had always been known for their four) Hove took the decision to remain a truly amateur team backs, were starting to show signs of improvement in the scrum and instead of recruiting players to help keep a strong league with Storer’s vast experience - and although it was great to see position, decided to invest into coaching and into the youth the scrum going forward with Ryan in the middle of it, it was even system. While this happened as a transitional period, on-field more pleasing to see that the scrum went forward even when he results suffered and Hove finished 11th in the 2013/14 season wasn’t on the pitch. At one point in the OD game, our number 8 before being relegated in 13th position the next year - although knocked the ball on at the base of the scrum and the joke in crowd we only stayed off the foot of the table because Basingstoke was that it was the first time in a few years that the scrum had been had been deduced 20 points for going in to administration of going forward! all things!

Any glimmers of hope about bouncing straight back into London 1 were effectively ended by October. The season started with a win away to Thanet but heavy defeats by Sevenoaks and Horsham had opened our eyes to the level we were competing at. Some combative performances saw some narrow victories come Hove’s way and we finished the season in 7th place.

The next season was a tale of two halves as Hove picked up 7 wins in 12 games before Christmas followed by a disastrous run where a win couldn’t be found until the last two games of the season. As one committee member at the time joked “it must be the weather!” But even in the difficult parts there were positives to be found. Hove had suffered fewer thrashings - a few heavy defeats had become much lighter defeats, and the lighter defeats were starting to become bonus points or even slight wins. Hove 36 - 32 Beckenham - 28th October Although at times it felt a bit like a lucky escape in this game, the truth was that Beckenham scored the majority of their points during two yellow cards that we’d picked up. The margin of victory was narrow but Hove holding on to win was another step forward. In previous years we might have lost this sort of high- octane game but this year we were the ones who held on to our lead, another demonstration of the increased maturity of the team.

Dartfordians 29 - 22 Hove - 4th November Although obviously Dartfordians’ record this season can’t be argued with, at one point in this game it looked like Hove were actually going to win. With the scoreline at 24-22 and Dartfordians Deal & Betteshanger 10 - 33 Hove - 9th September down to 14 players, Hove were attacking hard and causing A long coach ride was up first for Hove. In previous years, long Dartfordians all sorts of problems and winning penalties for their coach rides had sometimes been tough for the team, but they trouble. A solid Darts defence caused a spilled ball which Darts stuck to the job at hand and picked up a good first win. managed to fly hack forwards and get on the end of it to score a try out wide. While Dartfordians had edged it, Hove could take a Pulborough 25 - 54 Hove - 16th September lot of heart from their performance. Hove travelled to newly promoted Pulborough and although the hosts had some good attacking play, Hove’s fitness really told at Hove 22 - 3 Charlton Park - 11th November the end and they ran in a number of tries towards the end to take At this stage of the season, Hove were sitting in a good position 2 bonus wins from 2. in the table but still had to play Charlton Park and Horsham who were also challenging. If ever the result didn’t tell the story of a Hove 43 - 21 Dover - 23rd September game, this is it. A game that, with around 15 minutes left stood Dover were old rival from London 1 and we knew they’d be hoping at 5-3, it was once again Hove’s fitness that told as they ran in to pick up a strong win here. An assured, confidant performance three tries only picking up the bonus point with the last play of the from Hove saw them run out worthy winners and it was at this game. Belief was really starting to build and it was around this point that people started to think this team might achieve - the sort of time that the question of promotion was started to rear last time we’d won our first three league games was over 10 its head. “Let’s wait and see how we do against Horsham” was years previous! the reply.

Haywards Heath 36 - 19 Hove - 30th September Horsham 25 - 20 Hove - 25th November If the Dover game had started to create too many aspirations, Although the scoreline didn’t go the way we wanted it to, the this game kept everyones’ feet firmly grounded! Haywards Heath real disaster in this game was a season ending injury to captain had also been promoted before and looked a strong outfit with Sam Whiting. Horsham were generally good for their win in what large players all over the pitch. They played the wet and boggy ended up quite a scrappy game - after a number of league games conditions far better than Hove and although Hove had a few and cup finals against Horsham, it seems like quite the rivalry chances here and there, there were a few signs of the team that exists between the two teams which always adds some spice to could sometimes be rattled and lose the performance because the encounters. of it.

Hove 29 - 12 Old Alleynians - 7th October Old Alleynians have always been one of those “bogey teams” - one that you always seem to slip up on. Fortunately on this day Hove starved Alleynians of possession for much of the game and came out with another try bonus win.

Barking 10 - 81 Hove - 21st October Obviously Barking have had a really tough time this season. I don’t think we could take much pleasure from the victory but the result was good to take. HOW WE GOT HERE

Hove 40 - 26 Heathfield & Waldron - 9th December Hove started this game strongly getting to a quick 14 point lead. From there, Hove never lost the lead but let Heathfield keep coming back before extending their league further. A comfortable win against a fellow Sussex team. This was the halfway point of the season and Hove sat in 2nd place with 42 points, 6 points Beckenham 21 - 22 Hove - 17th February clear of Haywards Heath, Horsham and Charlton Park, all of A game where it nearly came unstuck. Beckenham missed several whom had 36 points. kicks at goal, including a last minute penalty that the kicker would have been hugely disappointed to miss. They say that achieving Hove 49 - 17 Pulborough - 16th December promotion requires a bit of luck at the right time and holding on to The last game before Christmas was a comfortable win against this win was a huge help in the season. a Pulborough team who were struggling in this division. This was our 9th win of the season, which meant we’d matched last Charlton Park 27 - 20 Hove - 10th March season’s number before Christmas! Of course, last season we’d After the Beckenham game, Charlton Park were in third place just had a pretty bad run after Christmas so there were more than a five points below us, making this a crucial game in the race for few anxious fans as we rolled into January. second place. A postponement the week before and Charlton’s cup run had meant that the rearrangements would give them a Dover 24 - 18 Hove - 6th January game in hand at the end of the season. A game where Hove Of course, with all the fears about letting it slip after Christmas, initially took control going 10-0 up, with Charlton Park then taking this result was a tough blow for Hove. Dover have always been it to 20-10 and finally Hove managing to equalise the score at 20- very strong at home - it’s a difficult ground to travel to, and the 20, Hove will perhaps be disappointed to have lost to a penalty travel itself doesn’t help matters! Fortunately Hove were able to try in the scrum at the end. The losing bonus point meant that we pick up a bonus point in the game and the result was still quite had just 1 point over Charlton Park, but knowing that we had to close. play Dartfordians and they had to play Deal & Betteshanger at the end of the season gave us some huge headaches. Hove 20 - 15 Haywards Heath - 13th January In many ways, this turned out to be quite a pivotal game. After Hove 14 - 25 Dartfordians - 17th March losing at Heath earlier in the season, and with the chasing pack We were well into our difficult patch, where we had to play 1st, still quite close, it was quite a nervy affair. Hove held on to avenge 3rd and 4th in three consecutive matches which would really their earlier defeat and effectively eliminate Heath from playoff determine our fate. This game was the one Dartfordians needed contention. to officially win the league and they did so with a fine performance. With Charlton Park in cup action we were technically still in Old Alleynians 8 - 27 Hove - 27th January second place, but with Charlton Park just 1 point behind us with In the home fixture, we spoke about Old Alleynians being a a game in hand. Full credit to the players at this point and a sign bogey fixture. This effect is doubly true when at their ground. A of the growth the team has gone through. The players resolved team that’s very tough to beat at home but Hove put together a to work as hard as possible to pick up fifteen points from fifteen fairly dominant performance to pick up their win. At this point, in their last three games and put as much pressure on Charlton everyone was starting to ask the “what if” questions about playoff Park as possible. and promotion but there was still a lot of rugby left to play. Hove 43 - 38 Horsham - 24th March Hove 107 - 0 Barking - 3rd February The scoreline gives you an idea of how this game went down Although obviously no one wants to see games where a team - plenty of attacking rugby from both sides. What it doesn’t tell wins 107-0, in a way Barking being in our league helped our you is how gut-wrenching it was for the Hove supporters. At 30 record - in London 2 South West there was no “whipping boys” minutes the visitors led 7-28. Hove then picked up a penalty try of the league. from a scrum and a couple minutes later got an offload out of the tackle to bring the score back to 21-28 at half time. If you thought that Hove took over from here, you’d be mistaken because it was Horsham who came firing out of the gate and got a try for their efforts. Hove pulled one back and Horsham got a penalty on 67 minutes to take the scoreline to 26-38. You’d have to search a long way back to find as good a fightback as this from a Hove team, but fight back they did. Horsham started to concede a few penalties and this allowed Hove to march up the field and eventually get a driving maul over the line. It wasn’t until 75 minutes into the game when Hove finally took the lead before grinding down the clock and sticking over a penalty for the win. Hove Rugby Club would like to thank the Good news was paired with more good news for Hove as Charlton Park lost 39-17 away at Dover, meaning that the 1 point gap had following people for reopened to 6 points. Meaning that if Hove picked up 10 points from their last 2 games, they would be in 2nd and nothing Park could do about it. their generous sponsorship

Heathfield 17 - 50 Hove - 7th April of today’s game Any fears Hove supporters might have had about a Sussex derby were quickly dispelled in this game, although a serious injury to Charlie Dagwell was a huge blow to Hove. That said, they were comfortably ahead of this game and ran in a few good tries at the end.

Hove 54 - 9 Deal & Betteshanger - 14th April Any thoughts of Deal just rolling over because they were already safe from relegation were quickly dispelled in a game where Deal opened up strongly and for large parts of the first half it was quite an even contest in the middle of the field, the only real difference being in the finishing, where Hove picked up four tries almost all of them out on the wings. At half time a score of 26-9 felt like it could have been enough but didn’t feel particularly safe. Fortunately Hove turned on the class and once again the last 15 minutes were a high point and Hove extended their lead. Five points was enough to see off the challenge of Charlton Park who picked up a win themselves. In the bar afterwards, the players and supporters hammered away Wardy & Jiff at the RFU web servers to see what the Old Reigatian result was - knowing that a loss for OR would result in a home playoff. As the news filtered down that London Exiles had managed to win the game by a single point, excitement started to build.

So here we are, Hove vs Old Reigatian in the London 1 Playoff. Our home record has been strong this year - only a single defeat to top of the table Dartfordians. And what a story it’s been - from the elation of the playoff 8 years ago to the period of decline and eventual rebuilding. At the start of the season, we had set ourselves the goal of returning to London 1 South but we’d given ourselves 3-5 years to gain the promotion and to sustain it. Now we find ourselves with an opportunity to accelerate that growth and get back there sooner.

Our success this year has been down to our original goal which was to be the fittest team in the league. The amount of times that we’ve either snatched a win or killed a game off in the last minutes of the game has been a huge difference maker since last year. But it’s more than just the physical fitness. The players knowing that they can turn it up in the last fifteen has given them the confidence to keep playing for the full 80 minutes. In previous years, at 7-28 down against a team like Horsham you’d be worried about a big defeat. With this extra resilience that the team has build, this hasn’t happened and Hove finish games very strongly regardless of whatever the score is.

For supporters who have watched the team for a number of years, seeing the growth of this team has been an incredible journey. As I started writing this article I talked about all stories having a beginning a middle and an end. And when it comes to this story, I think we’re Friends of Hove Rugby just getting started… www.friendsofhoverfc.org.uk www.friendsofhoverfc.org.uk HELP US HELP YOU! THEHELP FRIENDS OF HOVE RUGBYUS CLUB EXISTHELP TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL YOU! SUPPORT TO THOSETHE FRIENDS WHO NEED OF HOVE IT TO RUGBYFULFIL CLUBTHEIR EXIST SPORTING TO PROVIDE AMBITIONS FINANCIAL OR WHO SUPPORT NEED HELP TO THOSE WHO NEED ITAFTER TO FULFIL HAVING THEIR TRIED SPORTING TO FULFIL AMBITIONS THE SAME. OR WHO NEED HELP AFTER HAVING TRIED TO FULFIL THE SAME.

WE HAVE HELPED WEKids go HAVE on tour HELPED– including County Tours Kids go on tour – including County Tours Kids get kit, boots Kids get kit, boots Adults who have been injured whilst playing Adults who have been injured whilst playing Adults who needWE just a bitNEED of a helping YOUR hand HELP TO Adults who needWE just a bitNEED of a helping YOUR hand HELP TO We exist to be that Friend who can give you that little bit of a helping hand We exist to be that Friend who can give you that little bit of a helping hand to help you achieve orCONTINUE to get you back on your THIS feet. WORK to help you achieve orCONTINUE to get you back on your THIS feet. WORK If anyone needs such assistance then please If anyone needs such assistance then please Contact David Mickey on [email protected] Contact David Mickey on [email protected] WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE THIS WORK WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE THIS WORK In order to help people, the Friends rely on people becoming Members and it onlyIn order costs to £20.00help people, per calendar the Friends month rely on people becoming Members and it only costs £20.00 per calendar month If you would like to join the Friends then please contact AndyIf you Wardwould on like [email protected] to join the Friends then please contact Andy Ward on [email protected] We are also in the process of registering with the Charity Commission We are also in the process of registering with the Charity Commission Cos everyone needs a friend sometime… Cos everyone needs a friend sometime…

www.friendsofhoverfc.org.uk

HELP US HELP YOU! THE FRIENDS OF HOVE RUGBY CLUB EXIST TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO NEED IT TO FULFIL THEIR SPORTING AMBITIONS OR WHO NEED HELP AFTER HAVING TRIED TO FULFIL THE SAME.

WE HAVE HELPED Kids go on tour – including County Tours Kids get kit, boots Adults who have been injured whilst playing Adults who needWE just a bitNEED of a helping YOUR hand HELP TO We exist to be that Friend who can give you that little bit of a helping hand to help you achieve orCONTINUE to get you back on your THIS feet. WORK If anyone needs such assistance then please Contact David Mickey on [email protected] WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE THIS WORK In order to help people, the Friends rely on people becoming Members and it only costs £20.00 per calendar month

If you would like to join the Friends then please contact Andy Ward on [email protected]

We are also in the process of registering with the Charity Commission

Cos everyone needs a friend sometime… RESULTS & FIXTURES

London 2 South East

Date Home Team Score Away Team Competition

19 Aug Worthing Raiders A 0 - 78 Hove Friendly 02 Sept Hove 57 - 19 Old Dunstonian Friendly 09 Sept Deal & Betteshanger 10 - 33 Hove L2SE 16 Sept Pulborough 25 - 54 Hove L2SE 23 Sept Hove 43 - 21 Dover L2SE 30 Sept Haywards Heath 36 - 19 Hove L2SE 07 Oct Hove 29 - 12 Old Alleynian L2SE 14 Oct Twickenham 28 - 14 Hove Intermidiate Cup 21 Oct Barking 10 - 81 Hove L2SE 28 Oct Hove 36 - 32 Beckenham L2SE 04 Nov Dartfordians 29 - 22 Hove L2SE 11 Nov Hove 22 - 3 Charlton Park L2SE 18 Nov Hastings & Bexhill 14 - 46 Hove Sussex Cup 25 Nov Horsham 25 - 20 Hove L2SE 09 Dec Hove 40 - 26 Heathfi eld & Waldron L2SE 16 Dec Hove 49 - 17 Pulborough L2SE 06 Jan Dover 24 - 18 Hove L2SE 13 Jan Hove 20 - 15 Haywards Heath L2SE 27 Jan Old Alleynian 8 - 27 Hove L2SE 03 Feb Hove 107 - 0 Barking L2SE 17 Feb Beckenham 21 - 22 Hove L2SE 24 Feb Hove 34 - 17 Chichester Sussex Cup 03 Mar Hove 14 - 25 Dartfordians L2SE 10 Mar Charlton Park 27 - 20 Hove L2SE 24 Mar Hove 43 - 38 Horsham L2SE 07 Apr Heathfi eld & Waldron 17 - 50 Hove L2SE 14 Apr Hove 54 - 9 Deal & Betteshanger L2SE 21 Apr Hove Old Reigatian Play Off 28 Apr Hove Horsham Sussex Cup Final

London 2 South East HOVE TEAMS Saturday 21st April 2018 - 3.00pm

Hove Rugby Club

HOVE RUGBY CLUB – SKY BLUE AND MAROON

Full Back

Full Back 15 Rob Biggs Sponsored by Molly & Archie Three Quarters

Left Wing 14 Rene Pavlides Sponsored by Martin Windsor

Outside Centre 13 Phil Dugard Sponsored by Chris Drakeford

Inside Centre 12 Martin Macdonald (Captain) Sponsored by Sports Club Direct Ltd

Right Wing 11 Guy Patton Sponsored by Neil Parker Half Backs

Fly Half 10 Gareth Davies Available for Sponsorship

Scrum Half 9 Jerome Pie Available for Sponsorship Forwards

Loose Head prop 1 Declan Peake Sponsored by Adam Tunesi

Hooker 2 Patrick Andrews Sponsored by Jamie Angus

Tight Head Prop 3 Ryan Storer Sponsored by Adam Tunesi

Lock 4 Ian Saunders Sponsored by Alastair Bourne

Lock 5 Carl Buckland Available for Sponsorship

Blind Side Flanker 6 Kyle Woollard Sponsored by David & Nicole Mickey

Open Side Flanker 7 Jack Silcocks Sponsored by L&S Printing Company

Number Eight 8 Rob Ward Sponsored by Kitty Bourne Replacements

16 Adi Shergold Sponsored by Brian & Sue

17 Carles Casanova Sponsored by Millson Ltd

18 Ryan Morlen Sponsored by Lawrence & Anne-Marie Boon

19 Christopher Wallace Available for Sponsorship Match Officials Referee Martin David Touch Judge David Forrest & Martyn Holloway s D.O.R. Phil Ward Team Officials Manager Adam Tunesi Coaches Sandy Robertson, Jack Newton & Ryan Storer OLD REIGATIAN TEAM

Old Reigatian RFC

OLD REIGATIAN RUGBY CLUB – GREEN AND BLUE

Full Back Full Back 15 Toby Ashby Three Quarters Left Wing 14 Harrison Mitchell Outside Centre 13 Joe Gale Inside Centre 12 Jack Wheeler Right Wing 11 Oli Wall Half Backs Fly Half 10 Gus Locke Scrum Half 9 Ed Forsyth Forwards Loose Head prop 1 Luke Martin Hooker 2 George Wheeler (Captain) Tight Head Prop 3 George Mullen Lock 4 Antonio Machado Lock 5 Reilly Franklin Talbot Blind Side Flanker 6 Mike Blackshaw Open Side Flanker 7 Will Godwin Number Eight 8 Mark Chesterton Replacements 16 Jamie Gregory 17 Zach Hickmore 18 Lucas Overtoom 19 Rob Forsyth

s

Team Officials Manager Dai Stephens Coaches Richie Andrews, Jason Hoad & Doug Cooper Physio Ricky Outhwaite & Ellie Rowland RESULTS & FIXTURES

London 2 South West

Date Home Team Score Away Team Competition

09 Sept Old Reigatian 26 - 13 London Exiles L2SW 16 Sept Effi ngham & Leatherhead 16 - 33 Old Reigatian L2SW 23 Sept Old Reigatian 25 - 13 Gosport & Fareham L2SW 30 Sept Eastleigh 0 - 38 Old Reigatian L2SW 07 Oct Old Reigatian 48 - 15 Winchester L2SW 21 Oct Old Reigatian 12 - 0 Twickenham L2SW 28 Oct KCS Old Boys 18 - 17 Old Reigatian L2SW 04 Nov Old Reigatian 43 - 19 Farnham L2SW 11 Nov Andover 7 - 50 Old Reigatian L2SW 25 Nov Old Reigatian 30 - 34 Camberley L2SW 09 Dec Old Tonbridgians 35 - 34 Old Reigatian L2SW 16 Dec Old Reigatian 21 - 8 Effi ngham & Leatherhead L2SW 06 Jan Gosport & Fareham 26 - 30 Old Reigatian L2SW 13 Jan Old Reigatian 38 - 24 Eastleigh L2SW 27 Jan Winchester 22 - 15 Old Reigatian L2SW 03 Feb Twickenham 21 - 20 Old Reigatian L2SW 17 Feb Old Reigatian 31 - 15 KCS Old Boys L2SW 10 Mar Old Reigatian 71 - 7 Andover L2SW 17 Ma Farnham 0 - 25 Old Reigatian L2SW 24 Mar Camberley 35 - 29 Old Reigatian L2SW 07 Apr Old Reigatian 34 - 31 Old Tonbridgians L2SW 14 Apr London Exiles 30 - 29 Old Reigatian L2SW 21 Apr Hove Old Reigatian Play Off

London 2 South West OLD REIGATIAN CLUB HISTORY

Founded in the 1927/28 Season by the Old Boys of Reigate Golf Club as a practice ground and not at the top of Shepherds Grammar School, who had recently been introduced to the Hill as has been reported in previous searches into our early “Game for hooligans - played by gentlemen” when their days. First the Feathers Hotel in Merstham and then the School, along with Guildford RGS and Caterham G.S., as Jolliffe Arms provided the pre-match changing facilities and well as many others, replaced soccer in favour of rugby in the the post match teas and entertainment! I also understand that School’s curriculum. This was an ingenious attempt to meet the on occasions an A XV used the Reigate RFC ground (then requirements of an Education request from the Government of somewhere off The Clears) in the lee of Colley Hill. These the time for an increase in the number of boys taking part in rather primitive arrangements continued until the 1939 - 1945 team sports. At one stroke the playing field which had provided war brought a temporary end to the club’s progress. only 22 players with an introduction to the “beautiful game” were utilised to give 30 boys the opportunity to legally fight At the end of the war, the club was immediately reformed by with each other. a nucleus of pre-war players amongst whom Norman Holt

The “Think Tanks” of the 1920’s had come up with another and Geoffrey Knight were pre-eminent. They became Hon. winner! In addition an alternative to “going down the mines” Sec and Hon. Chairman respectively and with great support was available to young Welshmen, who now took to the role of from the then Headmaster of the School (Mr A.E.Clarke) schoolteachers and sought to introduce running and handling embarked on the search for a permanent home. At first skills to the foreigners on the other side of Offas Dyke. we again used the School ground at St Albans Road and then the field beyond Reigate Priory Tennis Club until it was The Club initially used a field adjoining the then School playing field acquired by Surrey CC and put at the disposal of the School. in St Albans Road and now occupied by the houses composing Thanks again to the then headmaster (Mr.A.E.Clarke) we were Pilgrims Place off Brokes Road. The changing accommodation allowed to continue using these two pitches, as our Saturday was in the Reigate Baths in Castlefield Road. A year later a ground afternoon games did not clash with the requirements of the was secured on the site which at present is used by Reigate Hill School. HISTORY CONTINUED

Once again the Reigate Swimming Baths provided the changing & washing accommodation, with after match teas provided by wives and girl friends in one of the wartime Nissan Huts (still standing) to the rear of the Town Hall, in Castlefi eld Road. The White Hart in Church Street provided the after match entertainment thanks to the co-operation of the then landlord, Mr J.G. (Pat) Mundy, who had played his rugby for Old Cranleighans and allowed us to use his Lounge Bar as a club room. The search for a permanent home was fi nally successful, We ended our fi rst year in London 3 on a high, fi nishing in third when through the generosity of Mr & Mrs (later Lord & Lady) place. It is a well balanced League, with only bottom placed Rank we were able to purchase the small plot off Park Lane on Weybridge Vandals narrowly failing to win less than half their which we built our fi rst and to date, our only real home. games.

The writer remembers with relish the “away” games against Playing to well below our best form we lost the return games Worthing, Brighton, Lewes, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Maidstone, against both Effi ngham & Leatherhead and Chobham, which Horsham, Dorking and Guildford. It was invariably well past left us with London Irish Amateurs to beat for the opportunity 10.00pm before the last car load arrived back at the White to face Purley John Fisher for the vacancy in London 2. The Hart. The “Old Boy” circuit was far more diffi cult to penetrate Irish were well deserved winners of this fi nal match. Happily and a 1950 fi xture card reveals that only Reedonians, Guernsey beat Camberley, in their fi nal game, to stay out of the Haileyburians, Mid- Whitgiftians, Dartfordians, Croydonians and relegation zone. So we all got another trip to this lovely Channel Shootershillians thought us to be worthy opponents. In that year Island. our record was P 27, W 17, D 3, L 6, with victories over both the Blackheath and the Harlequin 2nd teams. By the middle 70’s We are still in London 3, though through more restructuring by we were running seven teams and in the 1986/87 season, after the RFU, it is now called London 2 beating Exeter and Saracens in earlier rounds we became the only junior Club to ever reach the last 16 of the premier RFU Cup At this stage in the development of our Club we are proud to competition (then known as The John Player Cup). have at last produced teams at every age group from Under 5/6 to Under 18 in the Mini and Junior section, to this we can add Players and spectators alike will long remember our game under 19 & under 21 teams, under the direction of the Senior against the famous Gloucester Club at their equally famous Club. Kingsholm ground. I think that any bookmakers today, would offer extremely generous odds against any junior club repeating We start our 84th season, with four senior sides and with the this feat. By this time our fi xture card provided us with 30 really impetus that our new Clbhouse will endenger an almost certain good quality games over a full season. The great advantage that 5th side in 2012/13. The Club will thus have 20 teams playing came with these fi xtures, was that in most cases all our sides in the Green & Blue colours by the commencement of our 85th played the same Club, on the same day! year in 2012.

In the following season, the Rugby Football Union gave us the opportunity of either accepting their new directives as to League Rugby or withdrawing from any form of competitive rugby altogether. FUN FACT We chose (not without some misgivings) to join the new League system and during the next 13 seasons the Old Reigatian Club played for 8 years in London 2 and for 5 years in London 3. “Purley John Fisher A reformed League structure in the fi rst season of the new Millennium, caught us in a downward spiral and with the have been in the “Home & Away” concept now accepted by a majority, a new League was created (London 4) as a result of the reshuffl e. Old playoffs three times Reigatian RFC were placed into the senior County side (Surrey 1) and it took us 4 years to break out of this very competitive but never won” County League, but then only one to leave London 4, and join London 3. SHOUTS FROM SUPPORTERS

All the best Stotty AKA Spoof Champ Have a great game Hove John & Louis Tsapparelli

The only way is up! Come on Hove Senor Wardy Lez Hood Finish the job! Adam Tunesi Come on Hove Go Hove! Jane Holden Nicky & David Mickey Best of Luck Pete & Belinda Domzalski Come on Hove Eddy Sears Come on Hove Sandy Robertson Good luck Hove -You’ve got this Abbie, Joey, Nico & Dean

Top of the morning, Hove Best of luck Hove Billy Cotter Jonny the Hands Good luck to Mac & the Boys Julie & Pete Caldwell

Good luck from Down Under All the best Karen Murphy Chris Drakeford Come on boys James Finlason Proud of everything Cheer Up Hove you’ve done as a team Dave Evans Phil, Holly & Lexi Crabby loves Beecham Carl Pittaway Play Well Boys! Brian & Sue Shergold PLAYOFF – LAST TIME ROUND

Those of you with an elephantine memory like Wardy will know that Match Report Hove have been in a playoff once before to try and gain promotion to This match was rightly billed as the biggest in Hove’s history - and L1S and Level 6. I think that was also true for Guernsey. Neither of us have played higher than level 7 before. Certainly Hove haven’t and if Guernsey The first and, so far, only time we did have then my apologies to them. that was on 24th April 2010 when we entertained Guernsey at the Rec. I I’m going to stray from the game a little bit - once more - as it reproduce the Hove Team Sheet for you Andy Ward needs to be understood just what has to happen to get things below on that day: organised. You may recall that this game’s date was in the balance, firstly because of the 3SW league not having completed Position Player their programmes sufficiently to identify the opponent. That was Full Back Ben Ward corrected last weekend and Guernsey were identified. You may recall then we had the little matter of the Eyjafjallajoekull (go on Left Wing Ben Coulson - try and wrap your tongue round that one!) volcano deciding to Outside Centre Chris Eden interrupt the country’s air travel - and being as Guernsey have Inside Centre Paul Cox little option but to fly to all away fixtures, then this was also set Right Wing Sean Taylor to test us! Stand Off Adam Phillips Scrum Half Matt Sole With a lunch to organise for around 100 people, to try and ensure Number 8 Glenn Rankin that the pre-booked touring games (four teams!), the pitch Blind Side Flanker Dave Wattam watered and ready for use, referees and assistants in place and Open Side Flanker Nick Giles ready to come, changing rooms ready, kit washed and ready, Lock Liam Hale pitch marked, beer ordered, bar staff ready, food ordered, Lock Jamie Waller prepared and served, BBQ sorted and the 1001 other things that Tight Head Prop Bevan Kershaw just have to happen to get things moving and STILL not knowing Hooker Rory Chesham whether the game would be 24/04 or 01/05 - it’s time we all put Loose Head Prop Paul Hasib our hands together for the back room teams that put all this in place whilst we can just rest our weary heads on our pillows. So,

my thanks to all of you. Replacement #1 Dom Henderson Replacement #2 Josh Wren Right - this time I mean it. Back to the game! Replacement #3 Nick Marshall Replacement #4 Ryan Morlen A wonderful sunny day was to greet us as the Club started to fill up with a U13 touring team from Saffron Walden and seniors from Derby and Rochford 100s plus an advance party from an Under 11 team who are due to play today, and then the Guernsey squad arrived. Sponsors, blazers and the like were all gathered ready to eat, drink and watch the game. All was set.

Guernsey kicked off at the start of the first half and immediately launched into action. Like an express train of bulldozers the visitors crashed into the Hove defence punching great holes and making gaps at will. Bugger! This wasn’t how I had seen it in my mind’s eye whilst casually considering matters during the week. Oh no, this wouldn’t so at all!

But the defence that seemed fragile on the front foot was rock solid during this period when on the back foot. Wave after wave of Guernsey attacks were cleared before the final goal of the line and even though Guernsey were clearly superior during this HOVE 17 - 14 GUERNSEY

opening 15-20 minute period from an territory and possession from Guernsey and charged for the line. Steaming in support was perspective - Hove held them out and they had no product from Adam and as Ben jinked one way taking the defence with him, their efforts. If you’re going to spend that long camped in the he slipped the ball to Adam who went back under the posts for opponent’s 22 you need to score. That failure was probably were his and Hove’s second try of the game. Ben completed the kick Hove set the grounds for the victory that was to be theirs. with aplomb and Hove were 17-7 to the good. Everyone’s idea of how long left was different because of the stoppages and I was This period of Guernsey attacks was punctuated by occasional thinking it to be around 10 minutes left. This proved to be about forays up the park by Hove but nought came of them either. But right. bit by bit, Hove were starting to piece things together. It was as Hove were making one of these breaks that centre Chris Eden Hove broke again but Guernsey stopped the attack and mounted came of worse in an incident and was grounded. Attention one of their own. This was nullifi ed but you could sense that the needed and it was 7 or 8 minutes before play could resume with opponents were gearing up for a fi nal push. And, so it was. Ryan coming on and taking over at Outside Centre. Guernsey won the ball and attacked as one. Their big forwards were punching through and a try was scored subsequently Did the break help Hove or Guernsey? Diffi cult to say, but Hove converted to take the score to 17-14. The kick off was taken started to pick up the pace and whilst Guernsey still threatened by Hove and Guernsey received the ball, but the Hove charge it was no longer all one way traffi c. The balance of the fi rst half brought him down and the ball was turned over and to Matt in terms of scores - was broken when Ben Coulson stepped up Sole. Looking at the referee for some confi rmation of the time to take a penalty around the thirty minute mark (sorry my timings and getting it, Matt kicked the ball into touch and the whistle was may be wrong because of the two lengthy stoppages) and the blown. Hove had won after an incredibly hard and exciting game fi rst points were on the board and they were under Hove’s name. and were now promoted to London South 1. Commiserations to Guernsey as they were valiant in the game Despite attempts from both sides, there was no further score and magnanimous in defeat. It is true you need luck as well as before half time, and so the teams went in for the break with Hove skill to win these games and the fortunes smiled on Hove this leading 3 points to nil. Spookily - the same score as last week’s afternoon. game against Chichester. Would this turn to to be another 6-3? I, for one, would have taken that at that precise moment! Before closing, I must pen some more about some of the celebrations that followed. With the Derby touring team being The second half started in a manner similar to the fi rst but with on great form, they were entertaining us all with their festivities Adam taking the kick to start the half. and the Derby haka was absolutely priceless: “Ringa pakia, Uma tiraha, Turi whatia, Brian Clough, Mansfi eld ale - PISS”. Hove started well and were pressing but a transgression saw Guernsey get the ball and attack. The ball came out wide and a But not to be outdone or to let the challenge go unanswered gap was spotted and raced for. Flailing hands could do nothing as our Kiwi contingent led by Rory - with Liam, Bevan, Tommo and the Guernsey player made the most of the lapse in concentration Jamie responded with a more traditional version of “Ka Mate”. and raced through the in goal area to touch down behind the Sadly, I was too drunk to think about videoing it! posts. To take a statement written in our opening brochure when we Play was interrupted for another 10 minutes as an ambulance moved to Hove Rec “Hove RFC has a short history, but a great was called to take Chris to hospital and being as he was still on future - be part of it”. the side of the pitch, then over the pitch it drove. Play could not continue at this point. I can report that Chris came back from hospital last night and reported that he was OK.

After the stoppage, Hove had their best period of play and the fi rst to score was Adam making a typical break and wrong footing his marker as only he can do. Winning the chase for the line, Ads FUN FACT touched down plum in the centre of the uprights giving Ben the best chance of getting the kick - which he did. “Ryan Morlen - only survivor

10-7 to Hove and we were back in the game. Within fi fteen from 2010 playoff” minutes of that score, Ben Coulson intercepted a wayward pass OLDOLD REIGATIANREIGATIAN 1313 VSVS 1919 HOVEHOVE -- 03/09/1603/09/16

Interestingly enough, Old Reigatian and Hove met in a The Reigations 10 restarted by putting the ball straight into pre-season friendly before the 2016/17 league campaigns. touch and Hove had a scrum on half way in which to attack. Hove won 19-13 in a close contest. Cameron Robertson As the backs split, Hove attacked through Whiting, Morlen and wrote the match report for that game which we’ve repro- Garrish down the left. After breaking the first tackle, Ryan Mor- duced here. len then backed his pace by chipping the fullback. Unfortu- nately the foot race was won by the Reigations wing, but Hove Hove sent a strong side up to Old Reigations in their final warm- were on the attack minutes after the restart. up game before the league season kicks off next week. Hove were met with a dry track, however there was a strong wind Without the wind behind them Reigations struggled to make blowing horizontally down the pitch, which no doubt would ground, attack after attack was met by firm Hove defence, play its part. Jack Silcocks leading the way with a couple of big tackles. An- other penalty in midfield however gave Reigations the front foot and after Morgan Griffin hobbled off injured, Hove were down to seven in the pack whilst a replacement came from the 2nd team fixture. Reigations won a 5M scrum and against the Hove 7 managed to get a shove on and their number 8 picked up from a metre out for the score, duly converted by the fly-half, Hove 0, Old Reigations 10.

Hove continued to have the majority of possession and territory and were rewarded after Ryan Morlen found Phil Dugard on his shoulder who in turn drew the full back to put the impres- sive Guy Patton in for the score. Phil Dugard added the extras, Hove 7, Old Reigations 10. Hove again came at Reigations and were getting good value from their attacks. Guy Patton looked dangerous every time he got the ball in space and was only denied a second score after unselfishly trying to put Bryn Garrish in at the corner when it would have been easier to score himself! Hove did add to their points total however after After Old Reigations won the toss and decided to play with the the ball was spun out to Ryan Morlen and Sam Whiting who wind behind their backs, Hove kicked off through Rob Biggs executed a 3 on 2 to put Will Walker in the corner. Phil Dugard and the ball was won from the kick off by Sam Whiting. Hove pushed the extras just wide; Hove 12 Reigations 10. were getting into their patterns well and were making good ground through Morgan Griffin and Ian William until Hove failed to effectively clean out a ruck and a penalty for ‘holding on’ was given.

This was to be a running theme in the first half with Hove con- ceding numerous penalties at the breakdown and the Reiga- tions number 10 using the wind effectively to pin Hove back into their own half. Hove’s defence stood firm time and time again with one particular strong double tackle from Ryan Mor- len and Guy Patton in midfield rocking the opposition centre. Reigations came back and knocked over a simple 3 points to When turnovers were won, instead of looking up and moving take the lead as the rain began to fall; Hove 12 Reigations 13. the ball Hove put in ineffective kicks to the Reigations back Hove pressed hard looking for the winning score and after Guy three. Patton was felled just short of the line, the ball was recycled out to Bryn Garrish on the left hand side of the pitch. After a couple When Hove had ball in hand they looked dangerous and a of pick and drives from the forwards, debutant Martin Dawson lovely break from Rob Biggs down the right hand side was only squeezed over from a yard out to put Hove in front. Phil Dugard denied a try when the last pass to Will Walker was met by a knocking over the extras to take Hove six points clear. Reigations hand and the momentum was lost. Martin Dawson on debut was later shown a yellow card for not retreating ten Hove held on for victory and as the 80 minutes were up, sec- after a penalty, but Hove’s resolute defence stood firm and ond row Carl Buckland punted the ball into row Z much to the Reigations could only muster a penalty just before half time, amusement of the Hove players. So back to back pre-season wins for Hove, putting them in good stead to open their league campaign at home to Deal next. print, sign & design print,print, sign sign && design design HOVE RUGBY CLUB

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