Coach doubts club is ready to go up

H&B are just four points off second place in Kent One, with the runners-up at the end of the season contesting a promotion play-off against the equivalent placed team in Sussex One.

Smith said: “It’s not beyond the realms of possibility we could get into that play-off spot and if it’s there I would take it, but I’m a realist and it would be very, very hard in the next league up.

“You’ve got to have a strong squad training hard and people putting pressure on other players, and we’ve not quite got that yet. It’s still a work in progress.

“If we went up it would be a struggle and from my perspective, if we didn’t go up this year, I wouldn’t lose sleep over it.

“We would like to get some silverware, we would like to progress as a club, but it’s a little step at a time. I’m still looking to break into the top three; I don’t see why we can’t do that.”

H&B possess the division’s best points difference, have conceded fewer points than any other team and have accrued the most bonus points, yet they are only in fifth place.

Smith was pleased with the 42-0 victory over Southwark Lancers last weekend and is hoping for more of the same at home to bottom club Whitstable tomorrow (Saturday).

Rye RFC, meanwhile, will host Hove III in Sussex One tomorrow seeking an immediate response to their narrow defeat at Holbrook last weekend. Kick-off in both matches is 2.30pm.