G's v Hove

The balcony was filled with well fed and happy G’s support after a brilliant pre-match meal, who greeted their team like hero’s as they jogged onto the pitch ready to do battle with Hove. It only took a couple of minutes for the visitors to quiet us down however, as good hands saw them finish a nice move to get the scoreboard moving. After this terrible start for G’s, it was all the home team as we camped out in the oppo 22, pushing and pushing for the score. It wasn’t long before a Hove infringement led to Oli stoking the ball between the uprights for a three pointer. 3 - 5!

G’s were straight back at it. Two lovely trys strangely disallowed. Poor Jake could have had double the amount of scores this campaign if the refs had been a little kinder, but not to be detered, he finally got the ball over the line a few minutes later and we were all relived to see the ref’s arm go up! 8 - 5!

More pressure from the home side as they resumed their onslaught in the Hove danger area again, with just the last pass, tiny mistake or great Hove defence, keeping them out. As the clock ticked towards the 40, and we were all wondering how the score was still the same, Connor relieved our tension with another crashing carry, which took him over the line. 13 - 5!

Hove came out of the blocks with more intent after the half time Haribo. This, aided by a dubious high tackle yellow for Dan, put G’s under serious pressure for the third quarter, but having survived this, started to build again. A yellow for Hove turned the screw again and I thought we were home and dry!!

But rugby doesn’t always have a fairy tale ending! With 10 minutes left, Hove bundled over and the try was nicely converted to bring them within 1. Then things got nervy. I think the whole balcony saw the inevitable happening, and happen it did. A penalty awarded. The Hove 10 steadied himself and nervelessly slotted. The last moments were all G’s, pushing hard for the winner, but alas, it wasn’t to be.

A cruel twist left us wondering what could, and should, have been, as a place in the top half of the table slipped through our fingers. One more game to go in the league before we concentrate on the cup!!