Horsham complete the double over Hove

Horsham secured the double over Hove in a much needed morale boosting win after three successive narrow defeats, and consolidated their hold on fourth position in the league.

In a classic game of two halves, Horsham were the more clinical of the two sides scoring their tries when they had the advantage, and when Hove had the momentum in the second half they were unable to break down a resolute Green and White defence as opportunities were squandered.

Horsham were obliged to dig deep into their resources with seven changes to last week’s match day squad, due to a combination of injury and unavailability, in marked contrast to Hove who have been able to field a largely settled team week in week out.

This is borne out by the statistic that 43 players have played 1st XV for Horsham so far this season compared with just 28 for Hove.

The match did however see the return of two of Horsham’s most influential players namely Arun Thompson making his first start since December and Tom Johnson who has not played a full game since October, when he pulled a hamstring in the first game against Hove, having torn them apart with some scintillating centre play.

With Horsham in a poor vein of form and Hove desperate for a win to climb away from the relegation places, this was always going to be a tight contest in the heavy conditions at Coolhurst, unlike the previous encounter when the Green and Whites ran out comfortable winners 53-14 in possibly their best performance of the season.

“The character of the team was epitomised by our defence which didn’t buckle under pressure,” said Horsham backs coach Richard Bell.
We played to our structures with Johnny getting over the gain line securing quick ball. We took our tries well in the first half although we left a few more out on the field, our set piece was strong and JJ kicked sensibly ensuring that they couldn’t get out of their half.

The second half was more difficult as we played into the wind and we were disrupted by injuries to Paul Talbot and Andy Gray. We’ll take lots of positives out of the game: TJ returning and getting twenty minutes under his belt, Adam Clarkson making his league debut, Arun coming back who is so influential for us and I thought the back three played well.

Winning was important after a serious of narrow defeats. We showed real character, played with heart and really battled it out having been under the cosh for long periods.”

James Johnson went long from the kick-off and a hurried kick for touch saw Horsham gain an immediate attacking line-out. It was clear that Horsham were playing with renewed urgency after recent disappointments in front of a passionate home support.

Johnny Ordidge was being heavily used to get across the gain line and with quick ball Horsham were able to spread the play. Horsham were able to go through the phases, running more directly than in previous weeks, with Hove defending well until Arun Thompson received a pop pass from Josh Mills off a maul to slice open the defence and run in from 25 yards. The try was converted by Will Bell and after 12 minutes Horsham lead 7-0.

Horsham were controlling the bulk of possession and territory without really looking like scoring in the face of strong Hove defence until Thompson made a break which was carried on in the next phase by Paul Talbot, and then James Johnson spun the ball wide and found Will Bell joining the line at pace to open up the Hove defence and pass to Joe Wilde who stepped his man to score. The try went unconverted and after 24 minutes Horsham lead 12-0.

Hove were finding it difficult to mount any attacks with James Johnson pinning them back deep in their half with an intelligent kicking game.

After a loose Hove clearance kick Will Bell went on a delightful 30 yard stepping run which almost brought a further try but for a last ditch tackle. Mills then thought he had scored after a sniping run but was brought back for crossing.

On 28 minutes Will Bell had a penalty attempt at goal which drifted wide as Horsham tried to extend their lead.

The Green and Whites were looking dynamic in the loose as Nick Bell charged through a gap and linked with Matt Stone whilst the set piece was solid.

Then just before the break in their only attack of the half, Hove put some good continuity together to take the ball up to the Horsham 22, and when the ball was moved wide their inside centre punched a hole through the Green and White defence and passed to his fellow centre who crossed the line for a good try.

The conversion was charged down by Thompson but in a sight rarely seen in rugby the kick, which looked to be heading wide, received a finger-tip deflection to fly between the posts to narrow the deficit to 12-7.

The second-half was scoreless. Horsham were forced into making several changes due to injury, they were playing into the wind and the tables were turned. Now Hove were applying all the pressure.

Sam Sheppard made a great break out of defence but the support could not get there quick enough, and then determined defence by Sheppard and Will Bell on the line stopped a likely Hove try.

Hove secured a penalty but opted for the scrum rather than kick at goal and a Will Bell snuffed out another attack. The visitors now had the edge in the scrums and from first phase play the Hove centre ran through the Horsham midfield only to spill the ball in the tackle.
On a rare Horsham break-out after 68 minutes Will Bell had the opportunity to extend Horsham’s lead following a high tackle so that Hove would have to score twice to win but his penalty attempt went wide.

Hove were dominating the second half with the wind at their backs as Horsham had done the first. Knowing that they needed to score a try to get something out of the game Hove won a penalty and kicked for the corner to secure an attacking line-out but the ball was knocked forward and the opportunity went begging.

In the final minute Hove attacked down their right wing but were repelled again by resolute Horsham defence just short of the try-line, and the final whistle blew shortly afterwards much to the relief of the Horsham supporters.

Horsham’s next fixture is away to Thanet Wanderers on 6 February in the third round of the Intermediate Cup.

Horsham: W Bell; W Johnson (T Johnson), Wilde, Ordidge, Sheppard, J Johnson, Mills; Talbot (capt) (Brady), Stone, Barber; Harcus, Clarkson; N Bell, Thompson, Gray (McCabe)