For the second time in four weeks Hellingly played Cinque Ports.

The first game between the two sides at the Grove school proved to be filled with poor performances and an undeniable “bad taste left in the mouth” as Hellingly underestimated what turned out to be a committed, better prepared and well drilled side.

Bolstered with the news that a couple first team players were in need of a run out due to not being selected for the firsts in recent weeks and the return of a few second team players, a strong team selection was decided as the way forward.

The game proved to be a very different affair to the match 3 weeks previous, with the solid Hellingly attack being repelled by the Cinque Ports defence.

Consistent periods of attack were not rewarded as the home side threw away chance after chance. The pack was solid meaning that their relatively inexperienced opposition were driven off their own ball on nearly every occasion.

The Loonie back line showed their lack of game time together though as they tried to hard to make things work and lost the ball. Honourable mentions at half time go to Matt Sands for his surging attacks from full back and Callum Forsyth for appearing in the right places at the right time on the wing.

After a solid first half by both teams, Hellingly rang the changes at half time. Introducing Nic Woollard for Jarvo, Anton for Ollie, Liam for Adam, Steve Lee for Dylan, Hamish for Gareth.

Almost immediately the changes took effect with Liam Anslow crossing for the first of his two tries of the day, if his first try was appreciated his second try was marvellous, an individual run and a series of twists and turns through the hapless Cinque Ports defence.

Big Mac clocked up his first points of the season with a well taken conversion.

The play in the second half was all Hellingly and the final score would have been even greater if the chances presented had been taken.

The game was finished off by Callum picking up another try to keep up his impressive scoring record. Big Mac duly added another conversion/

Final score

Hellingly 2 – 19

Cinque Ports - 0

Well a win is a win regardless of how you come by it!

An impressive performance is always backed up by preventing the opposition scoring, although in future Loonies will need to take chances they are presented with as some opposition will make you pay for failure to grasp the opportunity.

This win has defiantly lifted spirits within the team and will serve the team well for the upcoming series of league games.

Man of the Match: Dennis Gower for a consistently rock solid performance in the front row, huge tackles, occasional punch and playing with a broken leg!

Team: 1) Paul Jarvis 2) Dennis Gower 3) Jim Bedford 4) Julian Thackery 5) Paul Tester 6) Adam Jordan (c) 7) Ollie Land 8) Steve Kirk 9) Ben Hodd 10) Chris McGowan 11) Dylan 12) Gareth Hulin 13) Jon Cooley 14) Callum Forsyth 15) Matt Sands 16) Nic Woollard 17) Anton Cowell 18) Liam Anslow 19) Steve Lee 20) Chris Sherrard 21) Hamish Davidson