Horsham in a Rush

The game was played as a double header, to avoid playing each other twice in two weeks, which now sees Horsham through to the second round of the London & South East Senior Vase.

Horsham backs coach Richard Bell said “We asked for a disciplined and controlled performance. We wanted to play to our structure and patterns for the first twenty minutes whilst we settled our nerves.

Our support play was good and our defence outstanding to shut them out. We scored some great team tries and converted 80% of our opportunities. We set ourselves a target of fifteen points after three games which we have achieved. I was also pleased that we conceded fewer penalties at the breakdown than in previous weeks.

I thought Jamie Gibbs looked sharp and finished his tries well and the forwards gave a great platform for the backs to play.

There was no lull today and we kept up our intensity for the full eighty minutes.”

Horsham scored their best try of the season so far without Park House touching the ball. The Green and Whites went through eight phases having received the ball from the kick off, patiently waiting for the opportunity to strike then Johnny Ordidge made the decisive incursion in midfield passing the ball on to the supporting James Whiting and when the ball was recycled at the next breakdown captain Paul Talbot crashed through to score with the try converted by Tom Johnson.

Park House pegged a penalty back when Horsham were penalised for crossing, and then on 8 minutes full back Sean Tuhakaraina made a break with a deft offload to Nick Bell and the ball was quickly recycled to Jamie Gibbs to score.

On 15 minutes Gibbs picked up a loose ball to race in and score under the posts and following the conversion the score was 21-3 as Horsham threatened to run riot.

Park House added another penalty when Horsham failed to stay on their feet and allow the tackled player to release the ball.

From Horsham’s restart a Park House player failed to catch the ball and tapped it straight to the onrushing Gibbs but the supporting Bell could not hold his pass preventing a likely score, however the tries kept coming at a steady rate.

On 21 minutes Richard Tredgett picked up from the back of the scrum to feed Ben Rush who used his strength to burst through two attempted tackles and score from five yards.

Then Rush turned provider when from a quick tap penalty Michael Tredgett ran a good line to burst through the defence and cross the line.

Arun Thompson made a strong break shrugging off several defenders before Park House came back with a penalty to reduce Horsham’s lead to 33-6 at half-time.

Tom Johnson was replaced by his brother Will at fly-half to protect a groin injury at the break, and then Horsham showed the same ruthless intent to carry on in the second half as they had finished the first. Tuhakaraina made a break and then in a multi-phase attack with Will Johnson and Thompson involved several times Gibbs crossed for his third try. With Tom Johnson off the field and the game won the kicking duties were now being shared around and Tuhakaraina missed his conversion.

Gibbs and Will Johnson combined to create the opening for Jonny Whiting to score converted by Ordidge, and then on 64 minutes in a lightning counter attack Tuhakaraina’s long clearance kick was followed up by James Whiting who regathered and offloaded to the supporting Tuhakaraina who raced in under the posts and the try was converted by Rush.

Park House had a player yellow carded following persistent infringements by the team then Will Johnson scored running a wide loop after dummying both centres.

Rush chipped through and regathered the ball but was tackled before he could accelerate into space, and the Green and Whites then went through several phases but could not score.

Will Johnson put in a wide pass to Tuhakaraina who utilised James Whiting steaming up the wing, but the attack broke down when unfortunately for him he passed to a Park House player on his inside.

There was still time for two further scores from Rush using his strength from close quarters enabling him to complete his hat-trick and seal a decisive win.

Horsham’s forwards coach Barry Hillicks added “Our ball control and presentation was good. Park House had a good driving maul which we dealt with effectively.

Whilst today was all about the team performance if I had to choose a man of the match it would be Jonny Whiting for his tackling and his all-round work rate.”

Horsham’s next game is on October 11th in a difficult encounter away to Dartfordians who won both games when the sides met last season.

Horsham: Talbot (capt), Lowe, Barber; Green (Goward 49), Jonny Whiting; M Tredgett, Bell (Price 49), R Tredgett; Rush, Tom Johnson (Will Johnson 40); James Whiting, Ordidge, Thompson, Gibbs; Tuhakaraina