Windy game on the seafront

In a game heavily affected by the weather Horsham Lions 17-5 lost to an experienced Seaford side that made the most of the conditions. Handling was difficult with scrums being the word of the day and it was not a day for running rugby no matter how much the players tried. Kicking into the wind was a near impossibility due to its strength coming off the sea.

The first half was tightly contested with Horsham having the wind advantage but they failed to make the most of it. However they did manage to camp themselves in the Seaford 22 for a large part of the first half but they were repelled each time by mistakes and a strong defence. The only score of the first half came from a turnover in the Seaford 22 and the ball finding its way to Max Wilson who showed his power running by driving over for the try. For the rest of the half Horsham pushed for the second score with no success.

The second half was more of the same but with Seaford more attuned to the conditions and using their big set of forwards pushed Horsham back with big driving mauls, powerful scrummaging and tactical kicking that made the most of the wind. As Horsham did in first half Seaford were camped in Horsham’s 22 for a large periods and were successful on two occasions scoring a converted try from a maul and a long range penalty goal to lead 10-5. The Lions in response hit back with aggressive running from the forwards which pushed Seaford back to their try line but only for a penalty to be conceded, which was taken quickly and kicked long with a good chase by the Seaford backs put pressure of the Lions winger but unfortunately was caught and the ball was turned over and grubber kicked with the Seaford 11 scoring a final blow to Horsham’s chances in the game to take the lead with a converted try in the last play of the game to win 17-5.

Horsham Lions manager Andy Layzell was gutted but found points to be encouraged by, ‘This was an extremely difficult game. Not only were we up against a well drilled, experienced team but also the weather. Seaford knew what to expect with the weather and played the conditions well. The Lions showed skill and pace in the pick and go that Seaford found hard to cope with, but we did not use this tactic as well as we should. I was impressed with Max Wilson in his first match for the club after a five month period out of the game. I am disappointed that we did not make use of the conditions and failed to score after a long period camped on their line. Also were did not make the most of our strengths to best advantage and it showed on the scoreboard’.

Horsham next match is away at Brighton against Brighton 2s on the 21st November 2015.