Havant Dolphins went into the game on the back a couple of good league wins. Confidence was high but with 50+ senior players unavailable for the weekend, this was always going to be a tough ask.

Guildford started the brighter and it was no long before they opened the scoring with a well worked try.

It seemed as though only three quarters of the pitch had been rolled and Havant we defending where the cows and pigs must have been let out the night before. There was no footing for the scrums and running in knee high mud was difficult.

The Guildford 10 played the conditions well and with front foot ball, pinned Hav in their 22 for most of the half. They scored their second try from such a kick and a driving maul from the line out. They would score a 3rd before the break making the half time score 17-0 to the home side.

The second half saw a Hav team not lying down. They put massive pressure on the Guildford team and had most of the territory and possession. Hav fought their way to the line on a number of occasions but couldn't seem to find the killer blows. Knock ons, dropped passes and questionable penalties kept them out. From one such penalty, the Guildford kicked but kept the ball in play and the offside winger pounced on a kind bounce to score. Fair to say the Hav defence was not awake either.

Hav went straight back and got their rewards. Some strong running and good phases saw Tom Mew cross the line assisted by Dan Porter. Ben Santy Converted with a good kick out of the mud.

The rest of the game was a good contest with neither side giving an inch. Hav will rue a couple of chances that were not taken to bring the scoreline closer.

The final score of the day went to Guildford when fullback Kyle McDonald chipped a kick from under his own posts, straight to the hand of the Guildford winger who fell over the line.

The final score, although the fair result will flatter top of the table Guildford who know they had been given a good game. Whilst the pitch and weather did not lend itself, it was an entertaining game, though Hav will be frustrated in the end.

Next week Hav welcome semi pro, and unbeaten, Worthing to Tha Lane.