Defeat in the sleet!

In atrocious conditions of driving rain and sleet, and a strong easterly wind blowing in from the North Sea with a wind chill of several degrees below zero, the Green and Whites put in a battling performance.

Whilst disappointed with the result Horsham coach Nick Stocker was pleased with the commitment. “This result against Sheppey shows where we are at as a side. Indeed Sheppey could not believe that we have now lost ten league games this season. We are showing a lack of consistency and need to play with a more steely edge and bloody mindedness week in week out. A succession of games in heavy conditions has impacted on us as we look more threatening on drier pitches. I felt we showed a lack of concentration when they scored and their final try put an unfair gloss on the difference between the two sides. We tried to play more of the rugby by taking the game to them through tap penalties even though this did not lead to any tries. I thought Jonny Whiting had a good game, carried well, hit the rucks and deserved his man of the match award. Ben Pirt should also be mentioned in dispatches upon his return to the side following injury for his energy, work rate and work on the deck securing turnovers. The whole front row played well against a strong pack and young fly-half Joe Wilde had a good game in difficult conditions.”

The direction of the wind meant that Horsham had a slight advantage in the first half. Within minutes of kick-off captain Matt Brown grabbed the ball from Wilde, who was about to kick for touch, took a quick tap and made a break and then following a strong carry from Whiting secured the position for a penalty which Wilde slotted in the fifth minute which proved to be Horsham’s only score of the match.

Horsham then spilled the ball from the resulting kick-off leading to the Sheppey left winger Dave Marsden scoring in the corner. Shortly afterwards Sam Bell made a strong run following a loose kick by Sheppey but his pass was not held. Strong tackles by Nick Bell and Alex Brew kept Sheppey at bay, and when in possession Brown bravely chose to tap and go rather than kick for position but the Sheppey defence held firm. Horsham were trying to play the more expansive rugby of the two sides in difficult conditions and on the occasion when Sheppey ventured into Horsham’s half, Brew made an excellent break to relieve the pressure.

When finally there was the award of a penalty within kicking range, and possibly take the lead, Horsham chose to run the ball, and the attack was snuffed out. After Paul Talbot was yellow carded after 35 minutes, Horsham were happy to see out the half 5-3 down.

Within two minutes of the restart Joe Willis scored for Sheppey after a series of pick and drives. Horsham continued their strategy of running penalties, and Whiting made hard yards, but a kick and chase half the length of the pitch following a lack of control by Horsham, almost lead to another Sheppey try although from this position, Charlie Wardzynski kicked a penalty to put Sheppey two scores ahead. John Kelly then added a further try.