H&B sign off for 2012 with defeat

The result leaves H&B fifth in Kent One with five wins and five defeats from their opening 10 matches. They trail leaders Dartfordians by six points.

From kick-off Sittingbourne worked the ball to H&B’s line, where an interception by Ben Campbell and converted try put H&B 0-7 ahead.

A converted Sittingbourne penalty was followed by two pushover tries, catapulting the hosts into a 17-7 lead, which they held till half time.

A try extended the hosts’ lead to 24-7, then from an H&B assault on Sittingbourne’s line, the hosts broke out, 31-7.

In the final 10 minutes H&B’s attempts at catch-up rugby led to a further score by the hosts. A consolation in name only came from Campbell’s try in the final minutes.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Rye suffered a 49-0 defeat away to promotion seeking Eastbourne in Sussex One. It means Rye have lost their last five matches after winning their first six.

See Friday’s Observers for full reports on both matches.

Standings - Kent One (played 10 unless stated): 1 Dartfordians 34pts, 2 Cranbrook 34, 3 Sittingbourne 32, 4 Old Gravesendians 29, 5 HASTINGS & BEXHILL 28, 6 Beccehamian (9) 24, 7 King’s College Hospital 22, 8 Shooters Hill 21, 9 HSBC 20, 10 Southwark Lancers 15, 11 Whitstable (9) 5.

Sussex One (played-points): 1 Burgess Hill 11-49, 2 Eastbourne 11-46, 3 Chichester III 11-38, 4 Holbrook 11-28, 5 RYE 11-27, 6 Brighton II 11-25, 7 Seaford 10-24, 8 Haywards Heath II 8-16, 9 Newick 10-14, 10 Hove III 10-11, 11 Lewes II 10-10, 12 Midhurst 10-8.