Under 7s
We took 3 teams to this festival - Caldbec, Senlac and Oakwood. With only 1 extra player between all 3 teams the players subbed in for each other when needed, always making an impact and celebrating each others great passes, runs, intercepts and tries.

It was a fast paced festival and the players kept up their energy with a half time happy birthday song and doughnuts. As always the U7's kept their pace, play and rugby spirit high and did their coaches, manager and parents proud. H&B RFC, they're the only team for me!

Under 9s
The U9’s travelled to Crowborough with just the one team this week. From the off, it was clear to see they meant business, with the now nicknamed 'bomb squad' of Frazer, Rupert and Noah causing havoc with their quick moving defensive line and direct strong attacking running, sucking in opposition players like a black hole. This allowed spaces for our runners to line break with ease. All four games were a very strong showing with some fantastic rugby being played, and as always with our U9s, brilliant teamwork and attitude throughout the tournament.

A special mention must go to our resident missile Gilbert, who, after a break away run from a well stocked Edenbridge player, didn’t give up and tracked back covering well over half the pitch and executing possibly the best tackle of the season. A hit so impactful that not only did the hard dry ground thud like a drum, but also caused the ball to be spilled resulting in a H&B turnover. The team have all earned a well deserved break for Easter next weekend and will be looking forward to our final tournament of the season the week after.

Under 10s
The U10’s enjoyed a very busy visit to Crowborough Festival. We took two teams plus subs, but not quite enough for the planned 3rd team. Our subs joined with Cranbrook team in the same boat to fulfil the fixtures. We played 5 games for each team, sometimes one after the other. The games were all close and hard fought against good opposition. One or two players paid the price of the hard ground and had to be rested or reluctantly retired.

The harder ground did help our speedy players to score many good quality tries, for some their first festival tries which they will remember for some time. The coaches worked hard to keep the teams on the right pitch at the right time and James fitted in planned and unplanned reffing duties right to the last game of the day.

Under 11s
Our U11’s had a busy weekend hosting Hemel Hempstead U11’s on the Saturday before heading to the Crowborough festival on Sunday. Hastings edged the first game against Hemel 3-2 before losing out 5-1 in the second. Strong running by George, and quick feet by Riley were the stand out features. Brodie was also his customary brave self and took on a lot of ball. Frankie showed his skills at the ruck and made a number of brave tackles. Sadly Hastings lost James to injury early on. The game was played under great spirits and it was great to see both teams sitting and eating post match together. Their first experience of junior rugby.

Squad: Riley, Harry, George, Dennis, Lewis, Brodie, Jacob, James, Benji, Arthur, Louie, Henry, Henry O, Frankie

The under 11’s then went to Crowborough. The coaches had told the players it would come together and at Crowborough it did. Beautiful structured rugby and great physicality gave them wins over Edenbridge, Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells to end the day unbeaten. Arthur was the lynch pin and danced through holes. His brother Benji found gaps where there were none. The other set of twins Dennis and Lewis were huge ball carriers dragging defenders with them. Jacob sniped at holes, where Louie just punched them with his direct running. This was also a feature of Harry’s game who also made some wonderful passes. Riley was hot stepping, and Henry mixed up his steps with some fluid passing. Henry O in only his second game showed great pace and game understanding. Benji, Arthur, Dennis, Lewis, Louie, Henry and Henry O all crossed the line. Every team member also showed their strength in the tackle and tenacity throughout the

Squad: Harry, Lewis, Dennis, Riley, Jacob, Arthur, Louie, Benji, Henry, Henry O

Our Under 8's were only able to enter one team to Crowborough, despite having three available, therefore chose to not attend and instead host an 'Introduction to Contact' session ahead of starting U9s next season. The session started with a gumshield moulding session with shields provided by Batten and Beam Ltd and Rhino. The kids then worked on the wnasoics such as parachute falls, tackling technique, tackling heights and finished with a game of touch rugby, before cheering on the U15s team from the balcony!