With the phone going early Saturday morning as players were stuck at work because of the early meet ahead of the long drive down to Hastings, the Swans found ourselves without a front row.
A bit of rearranging of the team was needed – this included Matt Abbot offering to move from his usual position of centre to make his debut in the front row as hooker. Finally with the team in place we jumped into the cars and started our long journey to Hastings. The trip was not to be without hazard – on arrival at Hastings the first thing was Stuart and Dec being sick. It might have been a good idea to tell us before leaving that they get travel sick!!
After getting changed we went out to find a very muddy pitch which we knew straight away wouldn’t suit our quick backs game. Knowing we were a lot lighter and less experienced in the pack, we had a hard battle ahead. Kicking off Hasting started straight away with a forwards game - keeping it tight and punching around the sides of the rucks and mauls. Being lighter in the pack with a front row consisting of the loose head, Adam Kitt only playing his 3rd game there and Matt as hooker for the first time, we held our own and even managed to push Hastings back on a couple of scrums. An early penalty meant the Swans were defending hard and holding on well until some strong running by Hastings finally broke through for the first try of the game which was unconverted. With most of the half spent in G’s territory, it meant a lot of defending. With some good runs by Alex, Bob and our new u17 Adam Harris making his senior debut, we kept working our way up the pitch but strong tackles and some good rucking by Hastings got them the ball back. They attacked with hard running and soon scored another try in which was converted.
With the half time whistle going, Swans had a quick team talk and knew the game wasn’t out of our reach. Greg nursing a knee injury made way for Dan and we started the second half.
The Swans went straight on the attack from the kick off. With the forwards winning good ball for the backs, the ball travelled through the hands to Andy Marsh who found himself on the wing. A nice chip over the top and the race was on - with Andy out pacing the Hastings player, he picked up the ball to score for the Swans. Unusually for Connor he was unable to convert the try (his excuse was the ref had rushed him!!).
Hastings came back strongly, putting plenty of pressure on the Swans and a clearance kick by Stuart was charged down by a very quick Hastings player (well he said he was quick but we thought he might have been a tad offside and the video ref couldn’t see!!). Again the Swans kept defending well and attacking hard. Hastings stood strong and replied with another converted try.
With the clock ticking down, the Swans again went on the attack but the pitch slowing the game down wasn’t helping. With Hastings turning over a ruck, they started to attack again and ran in a try in the corner which they were unable to convert.
The never say die attitude was still there and the Swans again went straight back on the attack until the ref called the game to an end with the full time whistle.
The game may have been over but the spirit continued in the bar afterwards when the drinking began. Swans won the drinking race which shows we may have lost on the pitch but we don’t lose in the drinking!!
All credit to Hastings for being a very hospitable team and a great bunch of lads making the long drive down there worth while
Many thanks to every one who played for the Swans - Dec, Adam and Dan making their Swans’ debut and Matt stepping up to the front row and Stuart returning for the first time this year.
