Another defeat for H&B

The 27-19 loss leaves H&B in fourth place and five points adrift of a Holbrook side which is now in pole position to clinch the runners-up spot in Sussex One.

H&B contained early attacks, but eventually succumbed to an unconverted try from a well-moved ball down the line. Holbrook then passed down the line for their wing to hand off his opposite number and tear in for a try, 10-0.

Matt Harboard set up Ben Campbell for a try converted by Paul Sandeman and although Holbrook hit back moments later with another decisive backs’ try in the corner, Ben Davies went over to make it 15-12 at half time.

Holbrook’s wing again skinned the defence for 20-12 before Jimmy Adams - along with Davies the stand-out forward - touched down in the corner, Sandeman converting to leave the game balanced at 20-19 with 15 minutes left.

After Piers Claughton made a spectacular try-saving tackle 10 metres out, the Holbrook wing sped in from the halfway line for his fourth score to put the result beyond doubt.

A full report will appear in Friday’s Hastings and Bexhill Observers.

Elsewhere in the division, Rye received a walkover after Worthing III failed to get a team together and moved up a place to fourth-from-bottom.