Horsham go third after Sussex derby win

Scoring four tries in each half, the Green and Whites played with great intensity and accuracy.

For the last few seasons Hove have been playing league rugby two divisions higher than Horsham and the decisive outcome of the game was a mark of the changing fortunes of the two clubs.

Following a thrashing handed out by Tunbridge Wells on the opening day of the season, Horsham now know what to expect in this league following promotion into London 2 South East, and have found their feet by recording four successive bonus point wins and climbing to third in the table. At times the Green and Whites appeared to carve open the Hove defence at will.

League leader Sevenoaks however lie in wait for the next game at Coolhurst on 7th November and look in ominous form.

Horsham were dominant from the outset. Tom Johnson missed a penalty attempt at goal in the first minute when Hove strayed offside but with the Green and Whites attacking and full back Mike Watts looking to get involved at every opportunity after 6 minutes Hove were penalised for offside again following good scrum pressure and this time Tom Johnson made no mistake.

Hove then counter attacked and looked to be about to score a certain try on the blind side with the Horsham defence outflanked but the pass was not held by the winger.

Horsham were soon back on top and on 15 minutes following pressure from a driving maul, the ball was moved wide and Johnson accelerated on to a fine offload by Matt McCabe to break through the gap to score and convert his own try.

The Green and Whites were relentless with their attacking as Hove conceded a succession of penalties. Rather than kick for goal Horsham were looking to score tries and kicked for the corner on a couple of occasions but were unable to capitalise due to a lack of precision in handling when the ball was spun wide.

The home side infringed repeatedly and the referee’s patience finally ran out when Hove were awarded the first of three yellow cards, this time for not rolling away.

Horsham were now attacking in waves. Following a good line out Tom Johnson faded on to an outside pass to slice open the defence from first phase possession to score and convert after 27 minutes to take a 17-0 lead and at this point he had scored all of Horsham’s points.

Four minutes later Arun Thompson burst through some weak tackling in midfield after good phase play to score.

Hove incurred another yellow card when they lost their hooker to an off the ball incident, and Horsham sought to capitalise on playing against 13 men but found their rolling maul penalised for blocking when a score looked certain. Tom Johnson then lead another attack before a Josh Mills score was denied for a double movement.

In the final act of the half following turnover ball from the line out Jonny Whiting made a good carry before offloading to Johnny Ordidge who powered through several defenders to score from 30 yards, and Horsham went into the break 31-0 up having secured the four try bonus point.

Horsham started the second half at the same pace that they finished the first and McCabe looked to be in for a certain score but spilled the ball and then the Hove backs showed their pace on the breakaway requiring a great cover tackle by Watts to prevent a likely try, and Tom Johnson left the field injured to be replaced by Jordan Hart. Hove however did not waste this attacking position and following a breakdown under the posts prop Martyn Woodhead crashed through to score with the try converted by Sam Whiting to reduce the deficit to 31-7.

Horsham extended their lead again on 49 minutes when they kicked for the corner after Hove had been found offside again and this time they executed the catch and drive perfectly for Andy Gray to score.

The Green and Whites were attacking relentlessly. Following a line out Horsham attacked the blind side and looked likely to score but the pass was not held, and then after multiple phase play Hove conceded a penalty and following a quick tap the ball was spun wide to Ordidge who fixed his man and put McCabe in to score.

Horsham came back again and only a desperate hand stuck out by a Hove defender to force a knock-on prevented a try before Thompson turned on the power to score from the back of a scrum off first phase possession with the try converted by James Johnson.
Hove made a good counter attack but failed to score then Gray made a great forty yard break before he was tackled.

A free kick was awarded to Hove following a scrum turnover and scrum half Massimo Hiller made a darting run to score under the posts to make the score 48-17 after 70 minutes, and then Mills capped a great win for Horsham by rounding off a fine counter attack with an injection of pace past a couple of defenders on the left touch line in the final minute.

Horsham coach Nick Stocker was delighted with the result. “We haven’t beaten Hove for a long time. I asked for a performance of accuracy and intensity and the players delivered.

We dominated the set piece areas of scrum and line-out, and our intensity generated quick ball.

I felt that the two tries we conceded were from our errors which gave them field position which to their credit they converted. Otherwise they didn’t look like scoring.

We have now have a balanced side that can play through the forwards or play expansively as necessary.

The referee complimented our captain Richard Tredgett for his actions and the way the players listened when relaying his instructions.

My joint man of the match went to Richard for his control and leadership, his carries, hits and line out work, and to Josh Mills for the quick ball he generated and his fine try.

Other players worthy of a mention in dispatches are the quality of our 10-12 partnership, the power of Arun Thompson, the impact of Andy Gray, the unseen work done by Jordan Smith, the carries by Jonny Whiting, the excellence of Liam Brady and Giles Barber up front, Rob Grantham-Hill always hit his jumper and the influence of Simon Gaynor.”

Horsham have no game on Saturday and their next fixture is at home to leaders Sevenoaks on 7 November.

Horsham: Watts; Ordidge, McCabe, T Johnson (Hart 42), Crook; J Johnson, Mills; Barber, Grantham-Hill, Brady (Harcus 54); Whiting, Tredgett (capt); Smith (Gray 40), Thompson, Gaynor