H&B chief has no complaints

Action from Hastings & Bexhill's 15-15 draw at home to London Exiles in the London & SE Senior Vase. Picture by Steve Hunnisett (SUS-140811-163402002)

H&B were eliminated from the London & SE Senior Vase by virtue of being the home side after their second round tie against London Exiles finished 15-15 at the end of extra-time with both clubs having scored the same number of tries and conversions.

Smith said: “That’s the rules. I’m not a bad loser, although I’m an awful loser if we’ve not played well. We wouldn’t be having this conversation if we won or if we travelled to them. On the plus side, I look at the performance and the spirit of the team, and they were brilliant.

“We played some fine rugby in the second half and it’s another step along the way. They’re fourth in their league, and to all intents and purposes we drew. We’ve been putting in progressively strong performances, we’re starting to gel and we’re starting to do things right. Whatever happens this season, this club’s got a massive amount of character.”

H&B will be without Chris Stern and Paul Sandeman as they return to London Three South East action tomorrow (Saturday) with a trip to Uckfield.

“Uckfield’s going to be a challenge, but I’m quite confident that we can go up there and do a good job,” added Smith.

Rye RFC, meanwhile, will resume their Sussex One campaign with a home game against Worthing Senior I tomorrow. Bottom-of-the-table Rye are still searching for their first win of the season and have lost their last six league games.