Sussex Rugby - Heathfield & Waldron RFC - Heathfield 1sts 25 East Grinstead 1sts 8

	Saturday, February 24, 2007

Heathfield 1sts 25 East Grinstead 1sts 8

In one of the closest and most exciting Sussex Division 1 league matches of the season, Heath field defeated a strong East Grinstead side who had been near to toppling league leaders Horsham the previous weekend. Having lost by only three points at East Grinstead at the beginning of the season, Heath field took the game to their opponents from the first whistle and scored after only four minutes with a typical three-quarter move involving fly half Bryn Jones, inside centre Damien Pest ell and finally the rapid and elusive Sam Thewlis who touched down. Bryn Jones converted.

East Grinstead then set to work to repair the damage and their large pack and very skilful Colts scrum half created major problems for the home side. East Grinstead with a strong front row and a six foot eight inch tall lock proceeded to win a monopoly of set piece possession, especially in the lineout. Heath field had problems at the base of the scrum where the visitors managed to escape punishment from the referee and consequently succeeded in spoiling much of Heath field’s possession from the set scrum. Although they were starved of quality possession for long periods the Heath field pack tackled ferociously, contested every break down situation and manufactured some sensational turnovers which kept their talented three quarters interested. Not for the first time this season the Greenies were up against a powerful pack but they enjoyed dominating a three-quarter line which was bereft of pace and skill.

East Grinstead scored a try after forward pressure on fifteen minutes and extended their lead to a point with a penalty goal just before half time.

At the beginning of the second half Heathfield replaced the injured Tom Pritchard with Paul Flood and brought the powerful Levi Willis into the fray in place of Will Drink water. Neither Levi nor Flood are shrinking violets and both had an early impact on Heath field’s play in the second half with a number of muscular runs into the heart of the opposition defence. Soon after an incursion into the East Grinstead 22 by Flood the ball was fed to Damien Pest ell on the burst for him to stretch Heathfields lead by five points. East Grinstead continued to provide extremely stern opposition but thanks to the home sides fitness and determination were unable to add to their points tally whereas Heath field scored another penalty before the Pest ell brothers who have been a vital part of Heath fields success this season scored a try apiece to close out the game at 25points to eight.

Although the admirable and courageous Greenies pack did amazingly well against physically larger opponents, this was a day when the exciting Heath backs made the difference on a pitch which, inspite of many hours of rain was in excellent condition for running rugby. It was a day when Heathfield showed they have one of the best pitches in Sussex as well as one of the most exciting teams.

Report by Mike de St Croix.

1st XV
2/24/2007 8:33:03 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)

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