Hove U13 Blues vs and Chichester Battle to a Thrilling Draw

Hove U13s Blues kicked off their league campaign at home on Sunday, hosting the Chichester Spitfires in what proved to be a highly competitive and brilliantly fought contest. On an overcast day at the Rec, with the pitch dry underfoot, the stage was set for the first encounter between these two sides since last season. The Blues were also delighted to welcome Kyle for his first appearance with the team.

Chichester started the first half with real intensity, showing a strong wing presence and fast offloads that immediately put the Blues under pressure. Their scrum was powerful, and much of the half was spent with Hove defending their own 22. The Blues' line, however, was steadfast, holding firm against the sustained attack. There were flashes of attacking brilliance from Hove, with Guy and Oscar making threatening breaks, and a fantastic combined effort from Laurie and Guy was unlucky to be disallowed. By the end of the hard-fought first half, Chichester held a narrow one-try lead.

The second half saw a more determined and fired-up Blues team take to the field. Finn scored an early try to equalise, shifting the momentum of the game. Led superbly by team captain Idris, who corralled his teammates with great communication, Hove began to take control. Kyle showed immense commitment on his debut, safely covering a kick deep in his own 22 before helping to take the game back to Chichester. The breakthrough came from two outstanding tries by Enzo, one showcasing his speed on the right wing and another demonstrating his vision to cut inside the defensive line. Oscar then capped a fantastic team performance by driving over the line for a crucial score.

The final whistle blew on a 4-4 draw, a fair result for a match played with such high levels of skill and sportsmanship from both sides. Chichester deservedly named Enzo as Player of the Match for his two tries. Special mentions also go to Kyle for an impressive debut and to Idris for his fantastic leadership.

As always, it was a pleasure to host Chichester, and a big thank you to our referee, Nick, for overseeing a fast-paced, quality game of rugby. Next week, the Blues travel to Westcombe Park for a friendly.