Rugby: Title showdown looming

Both sides won on Saturday and are preparing for their four-pointer at Uckfield a week on Saturday.

Uckfield were given one of their toughest tests of the season before winning 28-12 at Horsham, who were previously unbeaten at home.

Horsham led 12-10 going down the slope, though strikes by Richard Mason and Don Matthews, until Tim Rowland scored a crucial try approaching half-time.

Peter Wickham added a pushover score and Leigh Bialik kicked a penalty before Duncan Hale grabbed the final try.

Uckfield's first-half points came from Nick Ridley's well worked try and a conversion and penalty from Bialik.

Hastings won 24-3 at UC Chichester and assistant coach Rob Hamilton admitted: "It is now quite apparent Uckfield and ourselves are the best two sides in this division."

All the points came in the second half, including a try for former Chichester student Seb Halligan, who had a great game on the wing.

Ben Campbell, Andy Hitch and Paul Sandeman also crossed for H&B. Sandeman added two conversions.

Seaford scored a welcome 29-17 win at home to fellow strugglers Newick with Danny Newby scoring two tries.

James Anderson and Peter Joy also crossed with Andy Booth kicking three conversions and a penalty.

Hellingly edged a thriller 22-18 at Crowborough with Steve Gower (2), Richard Whitling and Levi Wilis scoring tries. Michael Cockings kicked a conversion.

Flanker Phil Jennings scored four tries and Tim Callaway added two in Pulborough's 54-7 defeat of Royal & Sun Alliance. They were 34-0 up after just 13 minutes.

St Francis are two wins from promotion after thrashing Midhurst 109-0 in Sussex Two West.

Their tally of 17 tries included five for skipper Peter Blake, four for Damien Poole and three for Thaddeus Dell. Gavin Booker scored 29 points.

Old Brightonians beat Robertsbridge 43-3 in Sussex Two East with tries from Mark Dodd (3), Mike Edmonds (2), Toby Harding and Steve Humphries.

Centre Rob Blackett scored twice as Sussex Police won 58-13 at Burgess Hill.

The same ground staged Ditchling's clash with Rye, who won 24-5 through tries from Phil Scriven, John Doughty, Andy Smith and Tony Pierce.

ANGRY Lewes were denied by a disputed late try after giving Three South East high-flyers Sidcup a real scare.

Dave Hemsley's side went down 31-27 after the visitors had forced their way over the line in the final minute.

A try was given but Lewes insisted the referee had allowed four players to get up from the mass of bodies before making his decision.

Two tries from the outstanding Ian Hardcastle looked to have given Lewes the edge. There was also a close range score from prop Paul Lacy and a penalty try, with Huw James kicking two conversions and a neatly taken drop goal.

East Grinstead were also denied a shock win as they relinquished an eight point advantage to go down 18-13 to leaders Tunbridge Wells.

Tries from Steve Thayre and Justin Smith, plus a Steve O'Reilly penalty, put Gs 13-5 up and they had chances to move further ahead.

Those fightbacks by the top two were bad news for Worthing, who maintained the chase by winning 25-7 at Crawley.

Sam Eaves was called in at scrum half and scored after just 18 seconds. Ben Coulson added a try and conversion before sending a scoring pass out to wing Neal Weston as Worthing led 17-7 at the break.

Prop Danny Piggott crossed and Coulson added a penalty after the break.

Crawley's points came from a Steve Pilgrim try which Andy Evans goaled.

A makeshift Brighton side failed to take chances at home to Cranbrook and lost 20-13. Carwyn James and Lee Raiks scored tries and Geraint Jones kicked a penalty.

Eastbourne were top scorers in Four South East as they thrashed Park House 72-7.

Tries came from Mark Ashworth (2), Damien Pastell (2), Danny Craven, Matt and Jamie Bremer, Spencer Pullinger and Andy Moore.

Chichester's woes at the foot of the table continued as they lost 19-13 at Beccehamians.

It was a lacklustre effort by Chi, who were 19-3 down before staging a late comeback.

Joe Gallimore and Michael Fradgely scored tries to add to Richard Johnson's penalty.

But Chi were unable to force a win, despite being up against 13 men at the end after Beccs had a flanker sent-off and prop sin-binned.

Heathfield were 23-15 winners over Hove to ease their relegation worries.

They scored three tries in the first half through James Dimmack, Brady Burdett and the outstanding Kobe Tonkin, with Jamie Marchant adding a conversion.

Hove No.8 Mike Walton continued his good scoring run with tries eithher side of half-time but two Marchant penalties gave Heathfield breathing space before the visitors were awarded a penalty try.

Bognor conceded two soft tries on their way to a 24-16 home defeat by leaders Dartfordians.

But the Sussex side can still go up in second place if Dartfordians beat Dunstonians.

Tries by Andy Shipp and Nigel Mitchell gave Bognor hope of coming back from 17-6 down. Shipp also kicked two penalties.

Worthing Ladies beat Reading 10-5 in London South East Two through tries by Rachel Holmes and Gemma Osborn. Jestyne Carpenter was outstanding.

Skipper Angela Albiston-Kelly said: "The team is doing so well this season and the win on Sunday was such a buzz."