Where to start? Christmas lunch, I think! Well over 200 at the lunch and much credit to all that help make it one to remember.
Easily 700 packed into Hooks Lane, making the faithful one of the largest attendances of the day including Nat1 and Nat2!
They witnessed a rusty start to the game for Havant and Brighton as uncompromising as ever around the pitch. There were late changes to the advertised team with Fijian Tani Naduva making a start at outside center, and a debut for young Jack Phillips on the bench.
Brighton opened the scoring with a soft try just before the ten-minute mark, only to see Rory Penfold weave his way in from forty meters out, giving Havant the lead 7-5.
The up-front battle continued and Havant on the back foot, conceding another try, this time the referee indicating a penalty try for not being 10 meters from a tap penalty, Ross Parkins was given a yellow for his efforts.
Havant had a couple of efforts at the try line with one in particular move involving Robbie Hume and Reuben Knight, great hands! but Reuben was tackle into touch. Havant again infringed at the breakdown and Brighton kicked the resulting penalty. The score now 7-15 in Brighton's favour.
Havant replied with a penalty of their own Jacob Knight making no mistake from the 22. With the crowd still shouting five golden rings from the twelve days of Christmas, Richie Janes run a "filthy" line to score under the posts, unfortunately dislocating his shoulder in the process. Jacob Knights conversion gave Havant the halftime lead.

Half-Time Havant 17 Brighton 15

Havant attacked from the off, and early pressure saw Havant extend their lead further with another penalty. Havant had finally woken from their month of slumber and less than ten minutes later a fantastic move on the wing saw Rory Penfold grab his 2nd of the afternoon. Havant had a ten-point lead.
The game became a little feisty with a couple of yellows to Brighton, this gave Havant the upper hand but also made the game disjointed.
The pressure mounted on the Blues line as Havant were held at bay seeking the all-important bonus point. Finally!
The pressure told and from meters out Armandus Morgan barreled his way over much to the relief of the Christmas faithful.

Full-Time Havant 32 Brighton 15

Will Knight’s thoughts after the game
“I was really pleased with the performance. Brighton came at us very hard, and we looked like a side that hadn't played for a month in the opening exchanges.
Brighton tried to rattle us with their physicality, which never really works, but i am pleased with the way the boys held their composure and came back into the game by the break.
At half-time we had a very calm chat about how to increase the pressure on them and in the second half there was really only one team in it and we deservedly pulled away to get a bonus point win.
With the other results it was important that we kept up the momentum to take us into the New Year in great position."