Opportunity knocks for H&B to get on a run

Steve McManus was among the tryscorers for Hastings & Bexhill against Southwark Lancers last weekend

Having now faced every other team in the top half of the table, all of H&B’s four remaining Kent One fixtures prior to Christmas are against bottom half sides.

Head coach Chris Brooks said: “As long as we can maintain some consistency, it’s a good opportunity to rack up a few wins and work on a decent points difference as well, which could become essential towards the end of the season.

“Although I will only ever concentrate on the win first, once we’ve got a win tucked under our belts, we need to be looking at scoring as many bonus points as possible. They’re absolutely critical, especially when you’ve got a very tight middle group in the league.

“I’m pretty sure all the teams above us, apart from a couple of exceptions, are yet to play each other so the next few weeks ought to be worth one or two places in the league. What we can’t afford to do is take our foot off the gas.”

Last weekend’s 22-13 win away to Southwark Lancers nudged H&B above their victims into the top five, although they are still seven points adrift of the leading trio.

Next up is a visit from 10th-placed Brockleians - who have lost six of their first seven matches - tomorrow (Saturday). Kick-off at Ark William Parker Academy is 2.30pm.

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