Sheps the hero at Waterhall

The South- Coast derby is not for the faint hearted, always a keenly fought and, a good watch for the neutral.
Havant travelled to Waterhall, home of Brighton Football rugby club with several more changes to the team, with Will Knight having to rely on the whole senior squad more than he would have liked to so early into the season. As always 110% was shown on the field of play by the players selected wearing the blue and white hoops...
Havant had a fast start which in itself was unusual especially at Brighton, having not been a happy hunting ground over the years. The home team players and support certainly rise to the occasion that's for sure when Havant visit.
The "Hav" pack made Sean Shepherd's third try of the season, Jacob Knight converting after controlling the opening ten minutes.
When Jacob Knight knocked over a penalty for not rolling away on twenty minutes the "Faithful" was optimistic of a win. Havant looked comfortable.
Enter stage right... Sean O'Hagan and the dangerous Brighton backline. Two well worked tries had the Havant defence chasing shadows and Brighton led 14-10 against the run of play.
With time running into the red, Ben Chambers playing at outside center found space, drew his man and sent James Wise under the posts and Havant had their noses in front again.

Half-time Brighton 14 Havant 17

Havant however were left in the changing rooms in the opening ten minutes of the 2nd period, with O'Hagan again pulling the strings. When Havant finally steadied the ship, they trailed 28-17.
The away sides first meaningful attack into the Brighton 22 saw Ross Parkins and the rolling maul score Havant's third try of the afternoon, again Jacob Knight was accurate with the boot leaving Havant four behind with thirty minutes to play. Tense!
Both Teams with a little more accuracy could have added to their respective scores but it was set up for a finale that had everyone up and cheering.
Into stoppage time in fact the 6th minute! Havant had the ball over the whitewash only for the referee to adjudge it held up. But Havant were not to be denied and a couple of plays latter they pushed Brighton off their own scrum winning a penalty which was kicked to touch 5meters out. The resulting catch and drive was stopped just short, but Sean Shepherd was having none of it and dived full length over the line, Havant led 28-29. Jacob Knight kicked the conversion, with the referee blowing the whistle for fulltime. Wild scenes on the pitch and sidelines.

Full-time Brighton 28 Havant 31

Head-coach Will Knight's thoughts after the game.
"Well, we got there in the end! I am sure that was hugely entertaining game for the neutral but for the coaches and the players I think it was very frustrating. We seemed to have complete dominance in the first twenty-five minutes and Brighton counter punched us with two quick tries in a couple of minutes. We had managed to get back in front just before halftime but then conceded again at the start of the 2nd half. We were trailing for most of the 2nd half but always felt we would find a way to win. The boys showed great control and resilience to get the win at the death. We certainly need to be more clinical but to get the win while not really firing at a place like Brighton is a great achievement."