Records broken as Horsham end season in style

The visitors would not have relished making the long coach journey across Sussex to Coolhurst and play the London 3 South East champions on a sunny afternoon with a firm pitch and the hosts intent on playing a brand of champagne rugby.

In the perfect conditions the Green and Whites broke a series of club records since the advent of league rugby namely biggest win 92-3, most tries scored in a game 14, most league points in a season 101, most points scored in a season 806, least points conceded in a season 239, and most tries scored in a season 120.

Individual honours go to top try scorer Jamie Gibbs with 17, top points scorer Tom Johnson with 167 and a special mention should be made to both Johnny Ordidge and Ben Rush from Matamata, in Waikato, New Zealand, who were the only players to play in every game.

It was a performance that delighted Horsham head coach Nick Stocker. He said: “We were in a celebratory mood having secured the title a few weeks ago. We tried to play champagne rugby and this was a fine way to end the league season. We now need to focus on the cup final.”

Horsham started quickly and following good phase play a penalty was taken as a scrum which resulted in a pushover try for Richard Tredgett after 3 minutes.

Arun Thompson made a storming run, and Josh Mills almost scored following a break up the left wing.

The Green and Whites then scored a further two tries in three minutes when following a turnover inside the Horsham half the ball was spun wide and Gibbs made a break for a fine try finished by Mills. Ordidge then made an incisive break and the ball was recycled and spun wide for James Whiting to score. Both tries were converted by Tom Johnson and after 18 minutes Horsham were leading 19-0.
Hastings & Bexhill pegged Horsham back with a penalty following handling on the ground but the pressure was soon on again. Jonny Goward made a great break off a line-out which was continued by Liam Brady. The ball was then spun wide before it was spilled and the attack came to nothing.

Then in the final ten minutes of the half Horsham added a further three tries. Following a scrum penalty the ball was passed to the right for James Whiting to score his second try after good hands, Tredgett scored his second try from the back of the scrum and then on the stroke of half time following fine hands the try was eventually scored out wide by Matt Stone. Horsham entered the break 38-3 up.
In the second half Horsham turned on the style and added a further eight tries. Ordidge burst through the middle to score and Thompson scored out wide following several phases.

Then in a purple patch the Green and Whites scored four tries in eight minutes. Scott Price broke several tackles to score under the posts, Jonny Whiting made a break and unselfishly passed to Giles Barber in support to score, Jonny Whiting scored after good phase play, and Barber scored his second try showing unsuspected pace for a prop by flying down the wing following some good handling to take Horsham into a 78-3 lead after 70 minutes.

Horsham’s attacking was relentless as Hastings & Bexhill’s heads started to drop and thoughts started to turn to avoiding the “naked lap” which was a forfeit for those players who had not scored a try all season! A fine break was made by James Whiting which was taken on by Will Bell, and Goward stormed over from 25 yards. Jonny Whiting then drove over to score his second try in the final minute after a tap penalty. Eleven tries were converted by Johnson.

Stocker singled out the following players for praise: “Liam Brady has really started to develop his handling and competed well against a big lumpy set of forwards. It was good to have Matt Stone back from injury and Giles Barber showed his pace. Richard Tredgett was my man of the match for a couple of tries, his tackling and he carried well.

Johnny Ordidge had a good game, Will Bell was consistency personified, James Whiting ran some great support lines and carried with purpose and Jamie Gibbs was always threatening.”
Horsham attempt to secure an historic league and cup double at East Grinstead on 9th May, when they face the winners of Crowborough and Haywards Heath in the other semi-final of the Bob Rogers Sussex Cup. A warm up game has been arranged against Worthing 2nd XV on April 25th.

Horsham: Bell; James Whiting, Ordidge, Gibbs, Mills; Johnson, Rush; Brady, Stone (Smith 40), Barber; Jonny Whiting, Goward; Fisher, Thompson, Tredgett (capt) (Price 40)

To all involved at Horsham RUFC,
I thought it was appropriate at the closing stages of one of the most successful seasons the club has seen to say on behalf of not only the senior squad, but throughout all ages; a huge thank you for the amazing support from behind the scenes, at training and the immense support shown on game days throughout the season.
We have been on a great journey over the past few seasons and this can be accredited to every individual that has given up their time, no matter how small. It is not just the coaches and players hard work and dedication at training and game days; it runs right through the club from organisation at the highest level, right down to selling bacon rolls on a Sunday to fuel the parents. Everyone has done their bit to create a great atmosphere and successful season and we thank you.
We have two big cup finals approaching and hope to see your continued support there. The Colts on 3rd May @ Uckfield and the seniors on 9th May @ East Grinstead.
Green Army
Paul Talbot