From Laurence Warren-West
After a more than shaky start to their campaign Havant RFC looked to many like a side certain to be involved in a relegation dog fight come the end of the season. However this column in November 2013 said that the team was galvanising as a unit and looked capable of moving up the league, helped by the coach’s decision to appoint Joel Knight as captain.
Since the turn of the New Year the Hooks Lane side has put together an altogether better string of results. Even after the unfortunate loss of key back row forward Jarrard Hayler to Royal Marines training, the club were able to record bonus point victories over Cobham, Beckanham, Chobham, Hove and Haywards Heath, as well as two convincing wins over Staines. Thus their league status for next season has been assured with games to spare.
In the run of good results Havant were also able to beat close rivals Gosport in the Hampshire Cup semi-final. After a strong first half Gosport had the lead at half time; however, a much improved second half from Havant saw them win the game 34-22 to set up a final against old rivals National League 3 side Basingstoke, to be played at Basingstoke’s Pack Lane ground (postcode RG22 5HH) on April 26th. Kick-off is at 3.00 pm. Havant are hopeful of producing an upset in the final and using that to kick start a promotion drive in the coming season to restore their National League 3 status: A mouthwatering prospect that would set in train all the pre-season planning and preparations that would be involved.
In a busy weekend for the Club it will be staging its Mini & Junior Festival at Hooks Lane on Sunday 27 April. More details on www.havantrfc.co.uk