Rugby round-up

Burgess Hill could not have had a much tougher introduction to London League rugby as they travelled to South East 3 favourites Horsham.

The hosts had beaten two teams from higher leagues in pre-season matches and then thumped one from the same level 72-0 only seven days earlier.

On Saturday the final victory margin was 43-8 but the All Blacks will have learned much from their debut at this level and can feel assured that most matches will not be anywhere near as testing.

The visitors turned out a solid set of forwards and some pacey young backs but there were times when Horsham’s handling was sublime and helped them produce some superb tries.

A collapsed scrum brought them their first but Hill’s outside centre Will Pearson kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit to 3-7.

Horsham bossed the last 20 minutes of the half and three unanswered tries, one of which was converted, stretched the lead to 24-3.

All Blacks regrouped at half time, with scrum half Sam David getting the young back line moving, while stand-in centre and normal back row Christian Jones showed deft hands in midfield.

New signing Paul Tokasaya showed his pace on the wing and took on the home outside backs at every opportunity. He put Hill first on the scoresheet as he ran over the top of the full back after good work by Ben Herbe, Pearson, Daly and full back Rich Fleming.

It was in the last 20 minutes that Horsham again stepped on the gas to leave Hill well beaten but far from dejected. New captain Ben Dewey has plenty to work with.

Hill’s 2nd XV began their campaign by demolishing a Lewes 3rds team they had not beaten for four years.

The 64-3 victory at Poveys Close came after Lewes had the better of the opening exchanges.