A flurry of tries spurred Hove to a decisive home win against stiff opposition to start the new year.
Scores from across the back line underlined a convincing performance against tough opposition, beating Weybridge Vandals 51-26.
The win halts a month-long losing streak as the team put in the performance of their season at Hove Rec on Saturday.
Hove’s backs proved a headache for Weybridge from the outset as Guy Patton capitalised on a deft grubber kick to go over for an early score.
Quick, expansive play from set pieces made the side threatening whenever they entered the 22 despite suffering an early setback when Lloyd Sweeney was sin binned following a penalty try.
A bursting run from Leo Robertson to score under the posts put the hosts back in front briefly but two scores either side left Hove a try adrift in an evenly matched first period.
Their fortunes turned shortly before half time, however, after Danny O’Connor piled pressure on the Weybridge halfbacks from a scrum deep in their own territory. The scrum half forced a bobbled pass before capitalising on the error on the try line to dot down for the score.
Patton then set up hooker Jordan Gibson to power over for another score minutes later to secure the lead and an important bonus point.
Continued pressure and smart kicking from Hove helped to widen the gap after the break. Quick scores from Tom Crisp and Toby Brown furthered the advantage.
Centre Crisp dived into the corner after smooth lineout play created more opportunities while Brown scooted down the blind side after Weybridge folded from the pressure deep in their own half.
Despite a Weybridge score from a rolling maul, Hove weathered a fightback with three late tries to put the game to bed.
More clever kicking from fly half Olly Lewis helped Patton to his second score while Tom Crisp finished his brace of tries extend the lead.
Flanker Rob Ward put his name on the scoresheet late in the day to cap off a fine day for Hove to start the year.
Hove’s win against title-chasing Weybridge helps them head into the second half of the season hoping to bridge the gap from tenth in the Counties 1 league to the teams above.
They now prepare to host Old Craneleighans next week before a trip to Twickenham later this month.
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