H&B in good heart for promotion battle

League leaders H&B entertain third-placed Crawley on Saturday February 11 on the back of last weekend's tremendous 47-0 Sussex Trophy defeat of a Brighton side which plies its trade two divisions higher.

"It was very good," said captain Kit Claughton. "We said we needed a big performance after Uckfield (where they were beaten in the league the previous week) and we got that. We trained hard for it and we played as well as we have all season which was really pleasing after playing so poorly the week previously. We kept them to nil and put a big score past a decent team."

Crawley too were in fine form at the weekend, however, because they scored a half-century of points in their trophy win away to an East Grinstead side which is a division higher up the pyramid.

They also beat H&B 20-10 in the reverse fixture during October, but the local club has won all 10 of its competitive matches on home soil this season.

"They seem to have come into very good form recently," Claughton commented, "and I expect it to be as hard as Uckfield."

H&B lead the table on points difference, but have played a game more than second-placed Crowborough so the destination of the title is still very much up in the air.

H&B's main selection concern lies in the centre department because David Northen is on holiday, Rob Sparks is injured and Kris Dempster is doubtful. Hooker Ben Davies and prop Ilian Granville should be fit. Kick-off at William Parker Sports College is 2.30pm.

The identity of H&B's opponents in the quarter-finals of the Sussex Trophy is still unknown, but the tie will take place on February 25.