PJF Give Oppo Heave Hove

However this match threw up a warning to sides further up the league that they should not sit on their laurels because PJF are ready to make them sit up and think.

Once the rustiness of snowbound enforced rest had subsided both sides rolled their sleeves up and entertained the well stocked crowd. A supreme team performance lead from the front by Skipper John Cox saw PJF come within a whisper of stealing the game, in fact had the game been 10 minutes longer the result might have been a win. Hard graft from the forwards took the game to their opponents as Sia, Lorraine and Leather worked the hard yards and put PJF on the front foot. A sprightly performance from scrum half Davies kept the pressure on and allowed the dangerous Campbell-Carson and Tuke centre pairing to pose many questions for the home side's defence. Knight and Brown constantly sought possession from the breakdown and enabled many an attack to start from turnover ball. Such was the cleanliness of their work they were penalised by an official who maybe missed the subtlety of their art.

The scoring ebbed and flowed throughout as PJF hit back whenever Hove looked to take control. Full credit to PJF who in the past might have lay down and rolled over, in fact you got the impression that this is exactly what the opposition was hoping for; instead they bit, snarled and growled their way through this game. The home side's Axis at Number 6, 8 and 10 saved their more rusty colleagues putting in a performance that was obviously superior to that around them. PJF stuck to their task and responded whenever it was necessary. Tries from Tuke, Murphy (2), Davies (plus 1 conversion) and Knight kept the side in touch by 6 points. Alas it wasn't quite enough but the performance, again another characteristic spirited one, bodes well for the remaining matches of the season.

PJF's Second XV ( 25-10 v Mid Wives ) and Third XV ( 13-0 Old Cats) both posted good wins against local teams. Respective Captains PJ O'Donnell and Tony Mawer both congratulated their rusty teams for concentrating and focusing on winning their matches. Special mention to Steve Bruck who assumed Bob Scarborough's flopping duties for 5 points, whilst the latter was resting in the sin bin.

Next Saturday PJF entertain League Leaders Tonbridge Juddians at the Pightle.