11:30am Tuesday 9th February 2010
By Brian Owen
Hove skipper Glenn Rankin has told his side there can be no let up, despite virtually assuring a promotion play-off place.
Tom Le Mehaute's late interception try clinched a 20-13 win at closest rivals Sevenoaks and left Hove five points clear in the race for second place in London Two South East.
They need a win at unbeaten Tonbridge Juddian this Saturday to retain any hope of snatching the tie and the only automatic promotion berth.
Hove will make the trip to seemingly invincible Judds with nothing to lose but Rankin said: "The key thing now is not to relax.
"We are well placed but there are some good sides in this division who can make life difficult if you don't concentrate.
"The good things for us is we know we don't have to worry about results elsewhere as far as finishing in the top two goes."
Le Mehaute spotted a long pass from outside half to outside centre and stepped in off his wing to claim the interception and sprint almost half the length of the field. Ben Coulson converted.
Hove led 13-3 at one stage thanks to tries by Sean Taylor and Coulson, who also kicked a penalty.
Coulson missed a penalty at 13-13 but Hove also had a let-off at that stage when the home scrum half opted to take quick tap-and-go in their 22.
"It was a very kickable penalty with about ten minutes to go," said Rankin.
"I thought 'Thank God for that' when they ran it."
It was a particularly memorable afternoon for Tom Evans, who made his first senior start at scrum half in place of Matt Sole, who had an Achilles problem.
Evans' call-up meant Hove persisted with former England under-16 scrum half Ben Ward at centre, a ploy which caused some discussion around the club.
Rankin explained: "We didn't want to change things around too much in the backs.
"We're happy with the result. We won pretty much all our own ball and made life hell for them at their scrums and lineouts.
"It's hard to play rugby when you are going back at a rate of knots as I found out when I was at Haywards Heath."
Brighton Blues admit they are relishing the chance to relax on another another national cup run.
But they relaxed a bit too much in their 39-15 win at Old Alleynian in the London Division Senior Vase.
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