Sussex Rugby - Heathfield & Waldron RFC - Sussex Knockout Shield - Heathfield 1st's 23 Burgess Hill 1st's 7

	Sunday, March 25, 2007

Sussex Knockout Shield - Heathfield 1st's 23 Burgess Hill 1st's 7

Heath field & Waldron arrived at Crawley RFC for this county final as firm favourites having achieved two League victories earlier in the season against their opponents in the final. The Greenies did not disappoint their large and enthusiastic group of supporters and ran out comfortable winners after a fine game played in the best of spirit by both clubs. The score line was a fair reflection of Hatfield’s overall superiority and showed just how much they have developed and improved over the season. Coach Dave Jones and his management and coaching staff deserve great credit and on the day his players were well motivated and superbly efficient in gaining the Club’s first ever County Trophy.

They survived an early shock inside five minutes of the kick off when the Burgess Hill left wing intercepted a loose Heath pass in mid field to run in unopposed from half way to take an early 7—0 lead. At this point Heath field settled early nerves and began to impose their style of rugby on their opponents. The tight five forwards gained control in the tight and showed how mobile they are in loose play. Mark Walker and Kobe Tonkin performed admirably in the lineout against much taller jumpers and the back row proved why they are rated the outstanding unit in the Sussex league. Time and again Simon Wilson broke tackles and put in powerful runs creating havoc in the Burgess Hill defence and Paul Flood and Tom Pritchard were fearless in the tackle area and won valuable turnover ball almost at will. Heathfield`s three quarters were tigers in defence and Sam Thewlis again put in an outstanding display at full back.

After conceding the early score Bryn Jones pulled the lead back to a single point with two well struck penalties and Simon Wilson gave notice of things to come using his speed and power to score wide out. At this point Heath field led by 11—7. So fluently were they playing with forwards and backs combining and winning most of the fifty- fifty ball that the confidence in the Heath field side was evident and much to the delight of their supporters they scored a further two quality tries before half time. Sam Thewlis scored a try wide out after a jinking run from outside the Burgess Hill 22 and Seb Jones completed an excellent three-quarter try with a number of players handling down the narrow side. This was another beautifully finished try because Sib had to pin back his ears and travel at real speed to score in the corner. It was one of his best tries of the season. A huge roar from the Greenie fans went up when brother Bryn converted with a sumptuous kick from the touchline. Heath field were ahead by 23—7 at halftime.

Heath field had played with the wind in the first half and were justified in expecting something of a revival from their opponents in the second half and Burgess Hill attacked in Heaths half for much of the second period. But Heath fields tackling and overall defence was both brave and secure with all fifteen players tackling fiercely and flatly refusing to concede another score to the Blacks. Having survived a tense period defending their line Heath field broke away and nearly added to their own tally. Towards the end Simon Wilson took a knock on the head so one of Heath fields match winners had to go off. But cometh the hour…. The evergreen Rob Streeter came on to replace Simon which was thoroughly fitting for a man who has served the club so well and was one of their players in the first match the club played.

Final impressions of this excellent final were that both sides looked better than Sussex 1 standard and that the better all-round performance won the day with both sides tailing off a little in the second half.

Report by Mike de St Croix

Captain Bryn Jones receives the Shield.

Paul Flood, Coach Dave Jones and Mark Walker.

1st XV
3/25/2007 10:09:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Senior Team News & Info

Youth Team News & Info

Newsletter Sign Up