Squires Scores hatrick ... Jugtastic!

The preseason came to a successful conclusion last Saturday when the Lions travelled away to higher league Littlehampton and the 1st XV entertained Cranleigh RFC at Coolhurst. Both teams came away with well-deserved wins to maintain the excellent momentum generated in the preseason period.

Cranleigh had previously communicated a need for uncontested scrums and with the need to see all of our back row options, Horsham selected a pack with 5 flankers in the pack. With injuries and availability issues with our second row, this provided the opportunity to allow for full recovery ahead of the first league fixtures. Despite this plan, on arrival at Horsham, Cranleigh had miraculously found a number of front row players, but also brought with them a large set of forwards. With the mind-set having to alter immediately, it became immediately obvious that the Horsham forwards were going to be in for a tough match. A fact further supported by Cranleigh coaches admission that he expected to challenge Horsham upfront.

Horsham however are a dynamic set of forwards, and despite the clear difference in size, rapidly set about dismantling Cranleigh’s forwards. Within the first 2 minutes, following a series of quick rucks, a lineout on the Cranleigh 22m was awarded. With the ball well won, it was spun wide to James Whiting at 13 who set up quick up quick ruck ball which was spun along the line to Christian Squire coming off his opposite wing for a fine score which went unconverted. Score 5 – 0

There then followed a lapse in concentration which lasted the rest of the half. Horsham has suffered from bouts of inconsistency in the past and retain a remarkable ability to beat ourselves. Lapses of concentration, poor tackling and increasing frustration derived from weak officiating saw a string of penalties, scuffles and sin bins which contributed to the generally low quality game for the rest of the half. Horsham managed to convert 2 penalties by Mark Brandon to Cranleigh’s try and penalty leaving the half time score 11-8 in Horsham’s favour.

The half time chat was a reminder at how Horsham have lost games in the past that they should have comfortably won, and as such this was potentially a similar problem that the players needed to play their way out of. Focussing on playing our patterns and setting up phase play, Horsham started the second half with the same degree of dominance at possession and territory as the first half. The intent however had altered and despite conceding a penalty, leaving the score 11-11 after 45mins, the second half proved an altogether different match.

The forwards turned the screw at scrum time with Adam Day and Giles Barber prominent. Lineout accuracy improved and the collective physicality at the breakdown with Tom Gilbert, Scotty Price and Nick Bell all influential began to result in more phases of play. The first try of the half came as a result of series of pick and drives combined with fine inter passing up the right hand side of the pitch. Several backs got involved – most notably James Whiting who picking up from a ruck shrugged off two tacklers and passed out of the third tackle to Giles Barber in support for an unconverted try – 16-11 after 47 minutes

Cranleigh managed to score another penalty on 49 minutes as a result of confusion in a Horsham pre-planned move leaving the score 16-14 and the next 10 minutes saw Horsham continue to exert pressure albeit that the final pass never went to hand and several chances went begging. On 60 minutes however, Horsham got the rewards that their superior fitness and skill levels deserved. Frist phase secured from a well-executed line-out saw the ball swept left by the Horsham backs and with dummy runners fixing defenders, Christian Squire took advantage of the extra space and squeezed in for his second of the game which was duly converted with a fine kick by Mark Brandon 23-14

On 64 minutes, a sweeping move to the right seeing offloads and short interchanging passes between forwards and backs saw replacement Arun Thompson in space on the right for a simple dot down. The try went unconverted leaving the score 28-14. Christian’s hatrick of tries followed 3 minutes later following yet another expansive move that saw the backs break out from the Horsham 10m line. Interchanges of play involving Johnny Ordidge, James Whiting, Rob Grantham- Hill, Matt Stone, and Giles Barber saw the ball eventually reach Adam Day with 5m to go. He selflessly off loaded the ball to Christian at pace who scored another unconverted try. Adam was subsequently fined for try avoidance and overt celebration……score 33-14 after 67 mins

The final score came as a result of a fine move in the backs that saw Arun Thompson break the line. Showing his strength he handed off the talented Cranleigh full back and powered through additional tackles to pop the ball off to a supporting Nick Bell who scored with a flourish. The try was converted by Mark Brandon leaving the final score 40-14 after 74 mins.

Despite the first half, the game proved a useful reminder of the need to maintain focus and a belief in your patterns when things do not go to plan. Horsham have been undone in the past by chasing such games too early and through frustrations have ended up compounding the situation. On Saturday, the players were able to call on the hard work that they have put in during the preseason – most aptly demonstrated by the energy levels after 60 minutes in what was a very hot day, and turn the game around to a comfortable margin that reflected the overall superiority of performance. The result was a series of fine tries and ultimately an enjoyable win that will allow the team to go into the season with a great deal of confidence, but with due regard for the need to be wary of all opponents.