Havant front up as festive target is set

The hosts ran in seven tries as they kept up their unbeaten home record in style on Saturday.

Head coach Will Knight was delighted with the efficient performance from his side – who are becoming realistic title challengers.

‘This was a very good performance in many ways,’ he said.

‘We were very clinical at times and the experience we brought in showed.

‘Our pack of forwards fronted up well, putting a great deal of pressure on our opponents.

‘They provided a constant stream of good ball for our effective three-quarters to exploit.

‘All but one of our tries was scored by the backs but it was a good all-round team performance.

‘After our win at CS Rugby last week, there was always the danger we could relax and slip up.

‘Instead the players displayed their increasing ability of playing under the pressure of being a top side.’

Havant were on top from the start as both hooker Jerome Trail and centre Joel Knight were held up over the line.

The hosts eventually opened their account midway through the half.

Full-back Darren Bamford collected a Cobham clearance, stepped inside the chasing player and sprinted up the touchline.

He fed the ball inside to scrum-half Wayne John who put Joe Davis over for the try – with Joel Knight adding the conversion.

Having made the breakthrough, the hosts quickly added a second with Joel Knight outpacing the Cobham defence.

Havant continued to impose their authority and added three more tries before half-time.

Ben Brierley, Trail and Bamford put the hosts 34-0 at the break. Although Cobham showed greater resistance at the start of the second period, Havant soon returned to the scoring trail.

Dave Sweeney carved his way up to the gain-line and put Richie Janes in with a lovely flat-pass.

Havant were relentless and Loz Blackburn was the next to cross.

Cobham hit back twice in a brief revival but the home side had the final say when Joel Knight scored a terrific individual try.

Picking the ball up on his own twenty-two, the centre bounced off a series of tackles to score under the posts.

‘We have two games left before the Christmas break and it would be nice to keep our winning run going,’ added Will Knight.

‘We are under no illusions that it will be easy. Now we are in the top two it only makes us a bigger target.

‘We know what that is like because we have raised our games against top sides in previous years.

‘It is important to remain aware of that and keep working hard.’