The first Boys U15s match

Hove Purples 7 - Jersey 20

On Sunday 1 February, Hove U15s fielded 52 players and 3 teams in what turned out to be 3 impressive performances.

First up our newly formed Purples side played an enjoyable and hard fought match against a powerful side from Jersey who play their fixtures in the top Sussex league.

From the kick off the dominance of the Jersey forwards told, as they utilised their extra power. Our forwards, led by the impressive Jez and supported by Herbie, Raph, Rocco and Leo put in sterling efforts to hold them up and win the ball back. Time again made the tackles and battled at the breakdown. But the extra experience told as Jersey eventually forced 3 early tries with their extra. However, after the first 15 minutes to game began to swing back to Hove as we adapted to the game. Securing the ball from at the breakdowns Matt C and Huw in the halfback positions managed to kick and run the game back into the Jersey half, and effectively use the powerful runs of Jude S and the lines of Scott to threaten the Jersey tryline. And but for a misplaced final ball on the left wing Hove could have put some points on the board at the end of the 1st half (0-15 at h-t).

The 2nd half continued to swing like a pendulum between Hove and Jersey in an entertaining game that mixed forward power with backline breaks. Jersey scored the first try of the half from a spell of pressure on the Hove 5m line. The ball being held up 4 times, before a final break on the right saw Jersey finally cross the line (0-20). However Hove dominated the territory and eventually had their just rewards - a move out the back of a scrum fed Jude who finally scored for his just rewards for a courageous performance overall (7-20). A similar move on the left nearly saw Hove nearly score again through Scott but for a last ditched tackle on the 5m line. And finally a line break by Huw saw Hove on another break, but the kick through for Matthew’s supporting run was covered by the Jersey full back.

Whilst the final scoreline reflected Jerseys league position, the performance was exactly what the Hove coaches wanted to see from the squad as the players continue to show courage and progression. MOTM - so hard with so many great performances but is probably shared by Jez and Jude S for their application and skill throughout, and Masen for an impressive debut in a very competitive match.