Stocker stays positive despite heavy defeat

In contrast to last weekend’s superlative defensive display against Heathfield & Waldron, Horsham were pulled apart by a clinical side on Saturday.

George Palmer scored the first Green and Whites try after 20 minutes following an interception from Joe Wilde, and it was converted by Tom Johnson.

Colfeians led 36-7 at half time, Nick Bell scored on 50 minutes following some great handling and recycling, but that was as good as it got for the away side.

Horsham coach Stocker was keen to compare how far his side has come against experienced opposition.

He said: “There are two standout sides in the league, Medway and Old Colfeians. You take those two teams out and every other team is there or thereabouts.

We went there full of confidence having played well last week, but we came up against a very strong side who probably play the way we would like to play, but did it far more effectively than we could.”

Stocker was also keen to gauge his side’s results against the promotion challengers in terms of side’s expectations to consolidate this year.

Horsham find themselves in seventh, but Stocker believes that his team can compete at the higher end of the table.

He said: “As a young team in a transitional year we have the capacity to play in the top four or five. In terms of playing a team vying for promotion, and us consolidating, we are where we’re at in transition with a very young squad. We’re still a long way off promotion, but we’re not a concede 70 points kind of team.”

Horsham’s next league fixture sees them take on Deal & Betteshanger on Saturday week. Their opponents occupy eighth place and recorded a 32-25 home win on Saturday against Heathfield & Waldron.
Stocker is aiming for a victory, but he is also sympathetic towards the opponents, seeing similarities between both teams.

He added: “They’re having a much tougher year, and they struggle with their catchment like us. There are bigger teams poaching some of their players. From our perspective we are certainly targeting a win.

Last year we lost twice to them. On both occasions we had good games, but since then we’ve lost a certain number of players, and so have they.

They’ve not had the best of starts, but they are an old and bold team. They’ve got a good lively maul, a good scrum, and their strengths are things we’ve been developing. Like last year, we’ll plan to run the ball again.”

Horsham: N.Bell, Fisher, Barber, Goward, Clarkson, Tredgett, Smith, Carvell; J. Johnson, T. Johnson, J.Bell, W. Johnson, Wilde, Palmer, W.Bell. Subs: Harcus, Pirt, O’Rahilly

Report by Matt Pole - WSCT