On a day more suited to cricket than rugby, Heathfield entertained Uckfield at Cross-In-Hand in a first round match in the Sussex Shield competition.  As the first competitive game in the new season it was a chance to assess how the teams will fare over the winter and on this basis Heathfield have bright prospects but Uckfield may struggle.

The home side enjoyed a large proportion of possession thanks to a solid scrummage and impressive lineout – a testimony to the pre-season training.  They generally looked the better drilled side while Uckfield looked to be short of some key players and enough practise. Heathfield struggled to score at least partly because the visitors tackled doggedly – matches between these two teams have never lacked for competitive spirit.

After twenty minutes continuous pressure led to a messy situation on the Uckfield line just in front of the crowd on the well-filled clubhouse patio and Simon Wilson was thought to have scored.  However the ref had seen some obstruction and Uckfield were able to clear their lines.  Shortly afterwards however Bruce Pestell was able to crash over from another scrambling piece of play.

Then the home side managed to work the ball to new recruit Eddie Armah on the left wing and he evaded several tacklers to score under the posts for his first try at home for the club.  He looks likely to score many more as he becomes more integrated into the team.

Both previous conversions had been missed but Bryn Jones was now on target to convert a well-worked try by Seb Jones.

After half time the pattern was repeated as Heathfield had most of the possession but struggled to finish. Coach Dave Jones then substituted several players.  George Leney had made an impressive, combative first start for the team and was replaced by the ultimate utility player Levi Willis.  Seb Jones was replaced by Mike Hole and Richard Cooley made a welcome reappearance to allow Danny Hunter-Evans a rest from tormenting his opposite number.

However just after sixty minutes Heathfield were again pressuring the visitor’s line when Phil Rowlands, the experienced Uckfield player, suffered a broken collar-bone.  An ambulance had to be called and given the state of the game Uckfield conceded.  The game will not have to be replayed.  Phil’s injury was especially sad since he had only just returned to playing after recovery from the same type of injury.

Next Saturday 15^th September Heathfield travel to Pulborough for the first league match of the season. They will need no reminder of the slip-up in the same match last year.

Report by Phil Bell

9/8/2007 5:28:44 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)