Waring grabs hat-trick on triumphant H&B return

Tom Waring touches down for one of his three tries against Brockleians. Picture courtesy Nigel Baker

The talented full-back, back at the club from Maidstone RFC, helped table-topping H&B to a sixth Kent One victory out of six on Saturday.

Despite fielding a side that showed seven changes from the last league win against Cranbrook two weeks previously, H&B once again chalked up a convincing victory.

Injuries to Kit Claughton, John Hanagarth and Ben Petty, coupled with the unavailability of Chris Stern and Joe Umpleby, gave starting opportunities to Robin Brereton at hooker, Dominic Sewell in the second row and Waring. Harry Walker moved to fly-half.

Hastings & Bexhill and Brockleins get to grips with one another. Picture courtesy Nigel Baker

Brockleians fielded some very big men and their solid scrum was able to soak up the H&B pressure, at least initially.

It took more than half-an-hour for H&B to claim take a deserved lead. A crossfield move involving forwards and backs gave Waring the opportunity to touch down in the corner.

Brockleians had a man yellow carded for a deliberate knock on, which prevented a scoring opportunity, and H&B took full advantage of their extra man when Ben Campbell made an excellent break to put Jake Stinson away in the corner.

H&B controlled the second half and put the home defence under pressure right from the kick-off. In the 42nd minute, Tom Waring converted his second try of the day to stretch the lead to 17 points.

H&B on the attack during their convincing away victory. Picture courtesy Nigel Baker

Although down, Brockleians were not out and their heavy pack made H&B work hard. Coupled with the vagaries of an undulating pitch, this gave them the opportunity to score a well-worked try on the left wing.

The arrival of substitutes James Morris, Adam Baker and Alex Waring for Campbell, Paul Sandeman and Chas Ackerley did not hinder the H&B attack.

And despite many stoppages for injuries and delaying tactics in the home defence, H&B comfortably increased their lead with three more well-taken tries.

After an exciting break from Walker, Sewell crossed the whitewash for the bonus point fourth try under the posts, giving Tom Waring an easy conversion.

Jake Stinson is tackled by a Brockleians opponent. Picture courtesy Nigel Baker

Tom Waring then sealed a great return with his third try after Baker put him clear to run in on the left wing.

H&B’s pressure did not relent and following a powerful scrummage, Stinson burst through to score. Waring converted to complete the scoring.

Another hard-fought win brought great smiles to the faces of H&B’s loyal travelling supporters, head coach Chris Brooks and his assistant Claughton.

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