As highlighted in Will's pre-match comments, this game was probably not about gaining league points but more about resetting the required standard after a poor showing against Canterbury and generating a worthwhile performance that would act as a springboard for the key competitive games coming later in the season. So with a slightly rearranged side (apparently domestic duties were calling some regulars away!) Havant arrived in Tonbridge to find a heavily soaked, soft muddy and very slippery surface that probably would take the pace off the game, and knuckled down to a full 80 min session of physical hard graft. We fared well in the early period, using well directed kick-chase to make their defenders have to turn on the slippery surface and certainly put them under pressure, getting close to the line a couple of times. Although playing to the corners when given the option - TJ defence held us out and our first half points came from the boot, while TJ had more success attacking with their heavy forwards subsequently driving over for a number of tries. That said - the game was under control and we were looking good to reach half time 10-9 down, having maintained our defensive composure and generated a number of attacking opportunities and had largely handled the TJ threat well. Subsequently losing a carded player in the dying moments of the first half meant TJ now had more weight and momentum to bundle over once more just before halftime (17-9), which probably tipped the balance of play in their favour. That said the Hav coaches would probably have been quite content with the team's 1st half performance, particularly the solid committed defence and our ability to take the game to the opposition generating a number of chances. We were definitely not being rolled over.

Second Half started with no real change in conditions and the pitch still very much sapping any real pace out of the game - Havant continued to fight hard for ball, contesting every breakdown but another carded player just gave TJ more space to exploit and they quickly grabbled another forward driving try. That said, even with a reduced entourage we were still winning penalties, and with an attacking mindset to stay in the game, a kick to the corner, an initial catch-and-drive whereupon in the subsequent post-lineout phases, Archie Cleeve found himself with the ball on the 5M line with just two defenders to beat - and so he did …with just a little help from his support, the extras provided by Joel (22-16). Not withstanding this short resurgence, even with our carded players back on the pitch, it was clear TJ still had sufficient power and drive to wear us down. This coupled with the appearance of their normal first team fly-half from the bench, who quickly regenerated some pace on the game, very ably pushing us deep into our corners, with his runners chasing his kicks - was soon applying a lot more pressure to our scramble defence, subsequently resulting in two more tries - one of which the Hampshire Line jury is still analyzing! (39-16).

While Not a resounding spectacle of rugby for the casual observer, it was definitely a good solid committed performance from Havant. While no points for our efforts, we maintained our shape and cohesion and effectively managed to put up a good fight against very credible league leaders. Undoubtedly the surface helped drag the pace of the game down a notch, but never-the-less no one in blue and muddy hoops looked out of place, no one shied away from the gnarly groundwork and if anything, some of our newer names served up a nice little selection problem for next week ... so that's all good! This run of games clearly doesn't get any easier - Barnes are next, they are now second in the league, they’re definitely looking at our feed - but we know we've come close to them before - if we can consolidate on todays performance my sense is it might be a good one to watch at the Lane next week.