Lions fall just short in cup final

BOB ROGERS CUP FINAL
Saturday 20th April 2024
Horsham Lions (2nd XV) 19-20 Crowborough 1st XV
Report by Richard Ordidge

Horsham Lions lost 19-20 to Crowborough 1st XV in the final of the Bob Rogers Cup at Worthing Rugby Club in a hard-fought game with the result in doubt up until the final whistle. The Lions clawed back a 0-15 deficit and with the momentum having swung in favour of the Green and Whites as the second half went on they had the chance to win the game in the final minute but a Ryu Fung penalty sailed narrowly wide.

This is the premier men's cup competition in Sussex, and is a trophy that has become Horsham's personal property over the last ten years or so due to the success of the 1st XV as they climbed the leagues. Horsham’s 1st XV are no longer eligible to compete due to their league status so the Lions were carrying the torch for the club. Their journey to the final included a 31-20 home win against East Grinstead 1st XV and an incredible 12-46 away win against Haywards Heath 1st XV in the semi-final.

Horsham’s try scorers were Charlie Lewis, Jack Thompson and Tom Sanders with Fung slotting two conversions.

After the game Horsham’s Head Coach, Nick Stocker said: “I’m proud of the way the lads played against a good outfit who are organised and well coached. Although facets of the game didn’t work as we’d have liked, the spirit and fight was evident in a fierce fight back lead by a number of the younger players including recent, colt Jake Lovett, scrum half Ellis Beynon who has made his senior debut this year, and of course current colt Tom Sanders who looks to be a very exciting prospect and capped of a fine performance with a try today. Given the age profile of the whole squad, and the experience gained this season, it bodes well for the future.

With discussion underway as to whether a Counties 1 Sussex league should be formed, and some club’s 2nd XV’s being allowed to enter, the competitive nature of the game gave the best advert in support of this. Over the course of the whole season, our boys have played Eastbourne, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and now Crowborough. With competitive outings throughout there is clearly the potential to look at this further.

We now face a well-deserved break until the awards night to formally celebrate the season’s achievements. Behind the scenes planning is already underway for next season but for the players, with the 7s season due to start, the opportunity to rest the body, recover some fitness and build for the future will no doubt be well received.”