Sussex Rugby - Heathfield & Waldron RFC - Uckfield Vets 19 Heathfield Boars 24

	Saturday, April 01, 2006

Uckfield Vets 19 Heathfield Boars 24

Boars hold on to win against local rivals

Games against Veterans teams are always difficult to predict. Will you get the really old boys out for a laugh and a beer or those still on the fringes of the first team wanting to prove that they still have what it takes? I am still not sure which this game had but it was fast, furious and drew a reasonable crowd out from the bar.

Stand in Captain Mike MacLeod (trying to make up for his sin binning last week?) won the toss took a look at the size of the opposition and decided to play with the elements in the first half. Right from the off Heathfield applied good pressure, dominated the possession of the ball and began to make ground. The wind and the muddy conditions made it difficult to play fast flowing rugby and it was the forwards on both sides that were doing most of the work. This was playing into the hands of Heathfield's experienced back row trio who worked hard to carry the ball, give quick ball to scrum half Ben Taylor and deny quick ball to Uckfield.

The first 15 minutes were fought mainly in the Uckfield half and the Boars gained the first score when Jim Cummings popped up in midfield on the 22 metre line and brushed off several attempted tackles to score next to the posts. Burdett kicked the conversion and the Boars smiled.

Everyone knew that this would not be enough so it was back to work. Heathfield applied heavy pressure and Uckfield defended well and tried hard to use any ball they won. Heathfield were awarded several penalties on or around the Uckfield 22 metre line. Having tried a couple of times to kick for position only to lose the resultant lineout Heathfield changed to a tapped penalty. Tom Faulkner-Bryant took the ball and he made 10 metres before being dragged down, the ball was then taken on by Tony Wates and he was stopped about 4 metres out. From the base of the maul Mike MacLeod picked up and drove low over the line for his first ever try after a 47-year wait. Burdett missed the conversion so the Boars had a 12-0 lead.

Things went from good to better when Rory Burchett made 7 metres and barged over between the posts after more good forward play. Burdett kicked the conversion to take the score to 19-0 and the boars felt more comfortable. This comfort turned to sloppiness as Uckfield took advantage of a spell of poor tackling to score a try. Awarded a penalty 10 metre out Uckfield surprised the Boars defenders by passing it wide and the inside centre touched down just as the covering tackles came in. the conversion kick was missed and the referee blew for half time. Heathfield hoped that 19-5 would be enough of a lead to take into a difficult second period against the elements.

Uckfield made several changes of personnel at half time and with the wind at their backs proceeded to rattle Heathfield. The scrums had been under Heathfield domination now turned into a real battleground and Uckfield gained more possession. For the first 15 minutes of this half Heathfield lost confidence and were punished twice. The first time was when a penalty was awarded to Uckfield 15 metres out. Heathfield failed to line up the defence and the first ball carrier burst through one of the gaps left to score a converted try. The second was well worked by the Uckfield forwards who wore down the Heathfield defence and broke through to score under the points. The conversion was easy and the score was 19-19 with 20 minutes to go. At this point it looked like the Boars might fragment and lose heavily.

However Man of the Match Tony Wates then scored with a bizarre solo effort when he chased a clearance kick, worried the full back into dropping the ball and then twice kicked and chased towards the Uckfield line. As Wates and the Uckfield full back rushed to be first to touchdown the ball leapt into Tony's arm like a long lost lover and the points were scored. This lifted the Boars spirits and the fighting spirit returned.

The next 15 minutes were hard work for every member of the Boars. Everyone in both teams tackled, ran and kicked as if this was a match with more than pride at stake. Heathfield had to defend three 5 metre scrums and were very fortunate to survive each of them. Brady Burdett put in some excellent clearance kicks to gain some yards and win some breathing space.

As the referee called the last play of the game Uckfield had a scrum on halfway. They won the ball and chose to kick and chase. Simon Hollingsdale had the sun and wind to contend with but managed to kick the ball off the park to raise the final whistle and a Boars cheer of victory and relief.

The Boars can confirm that the beer tastes very good after a hard fought victory like this one.

Squad - M. MacLeod (Capt), A. Sutton, R. Burchett, J. Cummings, S. Walker, T. Wates, N. Sohail (M. Bernhauser - 60), T. Faulkner-Bryant, B. Taylor, B. Burdett, M. Barber, C. Jaques, W. Harris (P. Squires - 40) S. Hollingsdale, K. Davis

Report by: Mike MacLeod

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4/1/2006 7:16:36 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

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