H&B hammer unbeaten rivals

Although there were some superb individual performances, without exaggeration there wasn’t a single player who didn’t lift his personal game to contribute to an impressive team effort, catapulting H&B clear at the top of Kent One.

From the back of the scrum, Mark Piotrowski picked up and drove over for a try, converted by Tom Waring, for an early 7-0 lead. Piers Claughton popped to his brother Kit, who gathered his own chip kick, slipping the ball to Max Foord-Paton, who raced in for a 12-0 lead.

Huge physicality from H&B’s pack drove them into Southwark’s 22 at the start of the second half, where Kit Claughton’s pinpoint misspass to Ben Campbell saw the latter break through, Waring carrying powerfully to the line and feeding Campbell for the try, Waring converting.

A powerful break by Calvin Crosby-Clarke led to Campbell tackled inches from the line, Jimmy Adams picking and diving over for the bonus point try, converted by Waring, 26-0.

Intelligent running lines and offloading defeated Southwark’s brave defence again, Jason Holewell touching down, converted by Waring. The ball sped down the line, Bruce Steadman scoring in the corner, converted by Waring, 40-0.

The powerful set-piece, forwards’ focused carrying and off-loading; clever attacking lines and handling skills of the backline - all attested to hard training and effective coaching. John Hanagarth made his starting debut at lock.

Elsewhere, Rye Rugby Club lost 30-19 away to Chichester thirds in Sussex One, but actually moved up a place to third-from-bottom. See Friday’s Observers for full reports and reaction to both matches.