New centre Ed Court scored a try hat-trick to help Brighton to their best performance of the season.

Player/coach Neil McGovern just wishes he could have hung around a bit longer to enjoy it.

The Blues hammered Three South West high-flyers Ellingham and Ringwood 53-12 at Waterhall in the third round of the Senior Vase.

It was their first cup tie since winning the Junior Vase final at Twickenham last May and almost as enjoyable in its own way.

McGovern said: "We were very, very good. It was our best performance of the season by quite some way.

"The boys were so aggressive, so physical, so up for it from the first kick-off."

McGovern himself only lasted five minutes at inside centre.

Having recovered from a knee problem, he was forced off after by a dislocated finger.

However forwards Sam Hutton and Lloyd Jenkins were back from injury and added physical presence and leadership to the pack.

Jess Thomsett, Mark Gibb, Matt Bellenie and Sam Jones all scored tries.

Alex Finch converted six of the seven and slotted two penalties as the Sussex club led 53-0 at one stage.

McGovern added: "We needed that. It has been a difficult start to the season."

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