H&B chalk up biggest win

The rugby club won 48-19 at home to New Ash Green with what backs coach Kit Claughton described as the best performance of the season.

Despite an Ashley Diedericks try and Paul Sandeman conversion, H&B trailed 14-7 until a brace of scores from Matt Harbord, pictured, and Sandeman kicks put the home side 21-14 ahead at the break.

Second half tries from Bruce Steadman, Ben Campbell, Steve McManus and Claughton, plus two Sandeman conversions and a penalty, rounded-off a good afternoon’s work in the William Parker Sports College sunshine.

Elsewhere, Rye RFC dropped into the bottom two of Sussex One on the back of a 20-15 reverse away to fellow strugglers Eastbourne II.

Ben Short scored both tries for a depleted Rye side, while Chris Edwards kicked a long range penalty and conversion. Eastbourne’s winning try came five minutes from time.

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

Standings (played-points) - Kent One: 1 Gillingham Anchorians 11-46, 2 Dartfordians 11-46, 3 Vigo 10-38, 4 Shooters Hill 10-33, 5 Sittingbourne 10-26, 6 HASTINGS & BEXHILL 10-26, 7 Cranbrook 10-21, 8 Old Gravesendians 10-20, 9 Guys’ Kings’ & St Thomas’ Hospital 10-17, 10 Whitstable 10-16, 11 HSBC 12-16, 12 Beccehamian 10-12, 13 New Ash Green 10-11.

Sussex One: 1 Pulborough 8-36, 2 Brighton II 7-23, 3 Burgess Hill 8-23, 4 East Grinstead II 7-22, 5 Holbrook 7-22, 6 Newick 7-19, 7 Seaford 7-13, 8 Eastbourne II 8-10, 9 RYE 7-9, 10 Chichester III 6-1.