Brighton and Hove Sea Serpents RFC won their first league match, against East Grinstead third team at the end of April (28).
THE match was played at Hove RFC as part of the Club’s league commitment of playing eighteen matches over the season. Dan Humphrey scored a try within a minute of kick off. Three more tries were scored by Kevin Mann, Nick Simpson and Ryan Irvine (all converted by Kevin) to take the score to 26-0 after 30 minutes. East Grinstead responded scoring two tries (one converted) to finish the half 26-12. East Grinstead rallied in the second half but despite scoring two tries (unconverted) the match finished 33-31 for the Serpents.
Celebrations started after the match with a few bottles of port in the club house changing rooms and continued afterwards at Envy above Charles Street Tap where the club hosted a Masked Ball. £524.52 was raised after costs with £262.26 of that is being donated to MindOut, the LGBT Mental Health Service.
On Saturday, May 5, the Sea Serpents RFC, played a home post season friendly against the Wessex Wyverns RFC from Southampton as they both prepare to play in the Bingham Cup in Amsterdam in June.
The sides previously met twice in the 2016-17 season, with the Serpents losing on both occasions, 32-0 away and 10-58 at home. After a year gaining experience playing a full season of league rugby in Sussex RFU Harvey’s of Sussex 4 East “Bonfire Boy” division, the Serpents ran out 78-5 winners.
After the match both teams went to the Camelford Arms, the sponsors of the Sea Serpents’ kit for a well deserved beer and a buffet laid on for the players.
On Saturday, May 26 The Sea Serpents undertook a sponsored fundraising static cycle ride on the patio at the Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen, cycling from Hove RFC (their home ground) to Amstelveense RFC (the ground for the Bingham Cup in Amsterdam) a distance of 320 miles.
They started at noon with chairman, captain and coach leading the way. Static Bikes had been lent by David Lloyd Club at the Marina. The day continued into the evening with Jason Thorpe hosting karaoke. After costs, a grand total of £1,082.78 was raised to help towards the Sea Serpents attending the Bingham Cup competition in Amsterdam this month.
Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents are Sussex’s first fully inclusive rugby club, encouraging gay, bisexual, trans guys to learn, experience and play rugby in a non judgmental atmosphere.
They are members of the Sussex RFU, the RFU and IGR – the body that encourages inclusive rugby across the world and their kit is sponsored by Camelford Arms.
For more information check out Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC on Facebook or email: info@bhssrfc.com
Photos by Helmut Schmidt