Big weekend on two fronts

First up tomorrow (Saturday) is a trip to Kent One leaders Gillingham Anchorians and that will be followed by a short journey to Rye for a Sussex Shield semi-final on Sunday.

Having won seven of their last eight league games dating back to mid-November, the rugby club will be relishing the prospect of tackling a Gillingham side which has lost only one of its 18 league matches all season.

Head coach Kevin Smith said: “Of course I think we can beat Gillingham. They’re the most consistent squad of players judging by their results and I think we’re the most improved squad in the second half of the season so far.

“It’s going to be a good game, but if we work hard enough, we’ve got the players, we’ve got the quality and hopefully we will be able to do Hastings Rugby Club justice and come away with a win.”

The match was postponed twice earlier in the month as a result of the cold snap, but it should be third time lucky this weekend. Gillingham triumphed by 30 points to 20 in October’s reverse fixture.

Although H&B have to take on a Gillingham side nine points clear at the top of the table and Rye are fixtureless tomorrow, Smith thinks that will give Rye “no advantage whatsoever” in Sunday’s derby, kick-off 1pm.

See today’s Observers for a full preview of the weekend’s rugby.