Going into this league game the Heathfield Development team were sitting pretty on top of Sussex League 2. However as Heathfield found out Robertsbridge’s lowly league position misrepresented their standard of play. This was not to be an easy game and as expected no quarter was given and none was asked. On what was a bitterly cold day the pace and intensity of this game, especially both packs kept the temperature high.

From the start both sides were looking for good position and Heathfield pack seemed to be quicker to the ball and able to gain good territory, their early possession was rewarded with a try by Matt Cooke who was filling in at fullback, Mike Shallcross converted. As the half progressed the pattern for the game was beginning to set, the Heathfield pack were dominating the forward exchanges and driving deep into the opposition half. Heathfield grabbed 2 tries from Rob Streeter and Jack Bayley from quick tap penalties in the Robertsbridge 22, Shallcross converted one.

There then followed the best try of the game, Roberstbridge kicked deep into the Heathfield half, collected by Cooke at fullback, then a series of runs and drives with excellent support play and interlinking between forwards and backs saw Shallcross score in the left corner. The half ended 24-0 to Heathfield.

No one expected Roberstbridge to lay down in this game, they started the second half on the front foot and were able to take a well deserved penalty in front of the posts. Eventually the Heathfield forwards took control again and from some strong forward runs lead by the evergreen Rob Streeter a ruck was formed 20 metres out. Mike Jacques at scrum half took full advantage of the gaps left in defence and his darting run resulting in a try under the posts, Shallcross converting.

Robertsbridge came storming back sensing Heathfield were sitting back on their lead, they soon punished them for conceding too many penalties and scored in the corner. The game finished on a high note for Heathfield with a superb second try by Mike Shallcross, the ball got moved quickly from right to left on the halfway line and Shallcross took an excellent direct line from the centres, then showed his pace to beat 2 defenders and score under the posts, he converted his own try.

This was a well deserved hard fought victory in this league game, man of the match was difficult to choose with such a good team performance, Shallcross scoring 18 points including 2 excellent tries. However it was the performance of the pack that set this victory up and although Jack Bayley pushed him close it was Rob Streeter just pipped him. Next weekend sees Heathfield entertain Haywards Heath 4ths at home in the league.

11/24/2007 8:23:52 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)