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Hove 3 League, Away 24th October 2009 Lost 26-17   Starting 15     1 Scrabble 2 Debs 3 Porty 4 Horse 5 TinTin 6 Big Gay Al 7 Nutter 8 Mooey (c) 9 Jez 10 Bosh 11 SOAP 12 Jim 13 Dan 14 Big Ian 15 Yids     Impact Players     16 Big Jim 17   18   19   20   21   22	The Norfolk Arms lifted by a solid performance last week, were looking to try a break the win/loose/win/loose sequence, we had settled into. Despite the absence of a few key players, which resulted in several players being out of position, the mood was good going into the game. The game started with Hove quickly finding their rhythm and causing problems for the newly formed back line. Without the supreme effort from the forwards, denying quick ball for Hove the score could have gotten away from us. An early penalty was conceded by an over enthusiastic defence, this was duly converted by the Hove fullback. This also signalled the departure of Horse from the second row, clearly in discomfort and unable to continue. The Norfolk then had to use their one and only substitute (Big Jim) early. Midway through the first half, the Hove fly half capitalised on some poor tackling by his opposite number to score under the posts, the conversion was easily made. A penalty was shortly to follow after the Norfolk were caught offside in the middle of the park. 13 points down after 30 minutes did not look good, but the makeshift backline were starting to gain an understanding in defence. Just before the end of the first half, an aimless kick found the arms (and very fast legs) of SOAP, who ran the ball back with real gusto. SOAP evaded a tackle and off loaded to Bosch, who in the tackle, popped the ball back to SOAP. Who rounded one "would be" tackler, before applying the afterburners to score in the corner. The angle and the wind did not aid Yidders in his conversion attempt, which he unfortunately missed. Half Time 13-5 to the home side. In a weird turn of events, the appointed referee was removed from our game. This was to enable Hove 2 to play their league game, as their appointed referee had not turned up. The Hove 2's team manager graciously volunteered to referee our game, in order for both games to take place. After the prolonged half time break, the Norfolk started the strongest, putting immediate pressure in the Hove 22. In a swift backs move, made possible by quick second phase from the forwards, SOAP scored his second in the corner. Yidders was unable to make the conversion, again. In a rare attack to the Norfolk half after the break, Hove earned a penalty...16-10 but with the Norfolk in ascendance. From the re-start the Norfolk encamped themselves in the Hove 22, once again. After series of phases, the ball found its way to Bosch, who made a dart for the line. Caught short and being held by two Hove defenders, Bosch was surged forward by the supporting forwards, to score under the posts. This easier kick was converted easily by Yidders. 16-17 to the Norfolk, and all is going well At this point the Norfolk seemed to lose synch with the interpretation of laws, by the make shift referee. The Hove fly half made use of the gifted penalties, to gain territorial advantage. Scrabble on his first game this year, had to retire from the game after one too many knocks. This left the pack down to 7 men for the last 15-20 minutes. As we moved into the last 10 minutes, the frustration was showing amongst the Norfolk team, while Hove were making the most of the ball they were given. A half charged down clearance kick, enabled Hove to gain the advantage with a try and conversion. As the game was drawing to a close, an interesting period of play resulted in a final penalty to seal the game 26-17 to Hove. Well done to Jimbo at centre (for the first time), Al for making the short trip from Wales to play, and Jez for getting his CRB check lost, so he could play this weekend! Big thanks to the Norfolk supporters, who gave the best performance of the day...by far!