Defeats for H&B and Rye

H&B went down 13-7 at home to Pulborough in a key game in the race for second, while at the opposite end of the table, Rye lost 18-15 away to St Francis.

Pulborough opened the scoring with an excellent try 10 minutes into the game and extended their advantage with two of many penalties which came their way.

H&B finally got on the scoresheet during the second half thanks to a burst through the middle by the indefatigable Paul Sandeman, who also converted, and a neat pick up off his laces by the scorer, Lewis Sealy.

Rye, meanwhile, found themselves 18-0 down at the interval as St Francis made the most of a stiff wind and sloping pitch before scoring 15 points of their own in the opening 20 minutes of the second period.

The New Roaders had plenty of chances to go on and take the lead, but contrived to let the match slip through their fingers as they failed to find that all-important winning score. They also missed four penalties.

Full reports on both matches will appear in Friday’s Observers.

Standings (played 13 matches unless stated): 1 Uckfield 62pts, 2 Pulborough 47, 3 HASTINGS & BEXHILL 44, 4 Holbrook 39, 5 Burgess Hill (12) 38, 6 Brighton II 29, 7 Seaford 29, 8 Worthing II 27, 9 East Grinstead II 24, 10 RYE 18, 11 St Francis (12) 12, 12 Eastbourne 9.