Sussex Rugby - Heathfield & Waldron RFC - Heathfield 1st's 24 Crawley 1st's 5

	Saturday, February 10, 2007

Heathfield 1st's 24 Crawley 1st's 5

Having convinced the league administrators that a replay of the game played between the two clubs two weeks earlier was both necessary and within the rules, Crawley travelled to Cross in Hand with a stronger side and were duly defeated by a wider margin than in the original encounter between the two Sussex Division 1 sides. Most of the home teams loyal supporters were mystified that the match was being replayed but they enjoyed watching a gutsy and skilful display by their team. This time the outcome of the match was not questioned.

Heath field kicked off, won possession deep into the Crawley 22 and Bryn Jones ran powerfully to score an unconverted try .If Crawley were wondering whether the home side were up for the rematch they discovered the answer almost immediately when the home thee quarters with the evergreen Guy Woods prominent moved the ball wide for Mike Hole to score a fine try in the corner which Jones converted from the touchline. Heath field were ahead by twelve points with only five minutes played.

After their excellent opening the home team were dominated for much of the half by a powerful Crawley pack who came close to scoring on a number of occasions. But Heath fields tackling was brave and efficient and wave after wave of Crawley attacks close to the scrum were repelled by a superbly organised defence. During this period Heath conceded a number of penalties and Kobe Tonkin was sin binned for consistent infringing. Although Heath fields seven men pack struggled manfully with veteran Rob Streeter and the experienced Paul Flood to the fore, Crawleys efforts were eventually rewarded by a single try from a forward drive.

Any hopes of getting back into the game which the visiting side may have built up had was knocked out of them by their three quarters inability to contribute in any way to their performance and also by another Heath field try through Will Drinkwater.The visitor’s misery was compounded by Heath field adding another try by the excellent Flood after a strong drive by the home forwards. This try was converted and the score at half time was 24 -5.

The second half produced some good play by both sides but hard as Crawley tried to reduce the Greenies lead they could not make any impression on the fit and very focused home team. The referee became frustrated with Heath field killing the ball too often after tackles and issued another Yellow card, this time to Paul Flood. But Heathfield`s fitness told and they concluded their hat trick of victories against Crawley in fine style.

This was another splendid team performance with the forwards defending stoically and winning some valuable turnover ball. The lineouts went well with Mark Walker again winning most of Heath fields throws. The game was well controlled at half back by the talented Welsh duo of Nick Cherry and Bryn Jones but the outstanding performances were by two Heath field veterans who were selected by coach Dave Jones to ”do a job”. Both Rolo Streeter in the pack and Guy Woods at inside centre had magnificent games, tackling for their lives and carrying the ball powerfully whenever they had the opportunity.Streeter played the full 80 minutes and was still fresh at the final whistle.Guy suffered a recurrence of a neck injury and will require physiotherapy before he is required for another key match.They were the toast of the club after a thoroughly workmanlike job well accomplished

Report by Mike de St Croix

1st XV
2/10/2007 6:54:28 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)

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