H&B bidding to make it a double

Action from H&B's close-fought semi-final victory away to Bognor last month. Picture by Tommy McMillan

Having already clinched promotion to London Three South East for next season, H&B will be eager to make it an even more memorable season by winning the Sussex Shield.

H&B will take on Pulborough in the final at Heathfield & Waldron RFC tomorrow (Saturday, 2.30pm ko) and head coach Kevin Smith is confident of victory against the Sussex One champions.

“Pulborough are an extremely good side and we’re prepared for a tough game,” said Smith. “This season we’ve had to beat some very good teams, and we know we are capable of producing good rugby and winning.”

Although Pulborough won all 22 of their league matches this season, Smith refuses to consider his side as underdogs in their third successive Sussex Shield final.

“I don’t agree with the notion that because they haven’t lost that they should be considered the favourites,” added Smith, who led H&B to Shield glory during his first season at the club in 2011/12. “It’s a one-off match, we can beat them and I don’t feel they should be treated any differently to any other team.”