H&B make sure of play-off place

HASTINGS & Bexhill made sure of their play-off spot with a comprehensive 55-12 win at home to Seaford on Saturday.

A blistering first half display which featured six tries all but settled this Sussex Division One encounter at William Parker.

"It was very convincing. It was a good game in good conditions," said H&B spokesman Peter Knight. "That makes the play-offs a certainty but we have still got to get as many points as we can because of the points difference (to decide whether they or the Kent League runners-up have home advantage)."

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H&B opened their account inside the first minute when Seaford's kick-off was collected by the home side and a dashing backs move was finished off by Rob Sparks. Soon after full back Jimmy Adams went over in the corner to double their advantage.

George Cullingford added a third after good work in the lineout and Neil Redman slotted the extra two points.

Kit Claughton then broke off the back of the scrum to touch down and Redman converted from near the left touchline. Danny Ralph went over for a typical winger's try before Ben Campbell made it 36-0 at half time with a score on the other side of the pitch.

With the match as good as over H&B struggled to recapture the blistering form of the first 40 minutes and Seaford were able to claim a couple of tries of their own, one of which was converted.

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Paul Flood restored the status quo with another H&B score which was again converted by Redman. Claughton, who was named Morgan & Lamplugh man of the match for dictating the game from fly half, chalked up his second try of the day, a feat matched by Cullingford late on, and Redman notched up the last couple of points.

The only blot on H&B's performance was a knee injury to Roger Roberts which on first inspection looks like sidelining the wing forward for the rest of the season. "He's a good young player," said Knight, "It's a shame to lose him."

H&B are in friendly action on Saturday March 19 at home to Aylesford II, kick-off 3pm. They resume their league programme at Burgess Hill on April 2 before tackling Uckfield at William Parker the following weekend.

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