Home comforts key for H&B

The rugby club will play its first Kent One fixture at William Parker Sports College tomorrow (Saturday) against Beccehamian. Kick-off is 3pm.

Smith said: “You want to win your home fixtures, they’re the key ones. If you’re trying to progress in this league, you need to win at home and be convincing as well.”

H&B had a gap in their fixtures last weekend following the uplifting 30-10 success away to HSBC on the opening day. Beccehamian lost 21-12 at home to HSBC on Saturday having been beaten by 26 points in their previous outing.

“I don’t look too much into those sort of results,” continued Smith. “At this stage of the season holidays can deprive you of key players so it’s very difficult to gauge and if I’m looking at them, I’m not looking at us.

“I know roughly what sort of side they (Beccehamian) have got. All the time the ground’s good, they might suffer a bit on mobility. It’s a good time to play them, but I don’t take anything for granted.

“Hopefully we can build on the HSBC performance, and if we can put one or two things right, and take our chances, hopefully we’ll be okay.” H&B are likely to field a similar starting XV, but the bench may look slightly different.

Rye are without a fixture in Sussex One tomorrow, meanwhile, following their terrific 26-0 win at home to Chichester III last weekend.