H&B target cup derby victory

Hastings & Bexhill Rugby Club is hoping to round-off the year with a cup victory over local rivals Eastbourne tomorrow (Saturday).
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Dec 2013, 14:30 BST
Action from Hastings & Bexhill's last home game against HSBC. Picture by Simon NewsteadAction from Hastings & Bexhill's last home game against HSBC. Picture by Simon Newstead
Action from Hastings & Bexhill's last home game against HSBC. Picture by Simon Newstead

The teams will do battle for a place in the semi-finals of the Sussex Shield - a competition which H&B won two seasons ago and were runners-up in last term.

H&B are second in Kent One with 10 wins out of 12, while Eastbourne are third in Sussex One with eight victories from 12 matches. Kick-off at William Parker is 1.45pm.

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“I think we’ve got the advantage and I’m quite confident that we will do very well. I’m sure Eastbourne is a good, competent side, and I’m expecting a good game,” said H&B head coach Kevin Smith.

“It’s a cup game. Anyone can win a cup game, it just depends who wants it more on the day. I know the Eastbourne players, they’re good, honest, hard-working guys. They want to play well for their club, just like Hastings do.”

H&B claimed a satisfying 10-7 victory away to King’s College Hospital last weekend in a league game that truly tested Smith’s squad.

“It was the hardest game of the season for us,” he added. “We struggled against a very good side on their home pitch, but our defence was very good and we had the edge.”

Related topics:EastbourneHastings