Heathfield took to the field this week knowing that they had to make a big change to their mediocre performance the previous week if they were to get any points from their first League game of the season against a well prepared Eastbourne side.

Eastbourne drew first blood running through some weak Heathfield tackling to score. They were soon attacking again with their big powerful Full Back heading for the line only to be stopped by a massive tackle from the Heathfield 15, Baz Hunt. Eastbourne continued to push hard with their bigger forwards working several phases to take the score to 0 - 10.

Heathfield were now stung into action and late in the half were given a penalty. Sam Goacher punted the ball into the corner for a lineout. Heathfield playing advantage from an Eastbourne infringement attacked the line for Matt Overy to touch down with Sam Goacher converting. Heathfield attacked again straight from the kick off to be given a penalty 15 metres out. The ball bounced back off the posts Eastbourne knocked on and the half ended.

A half time roasting from coach Rob Lawrence focused the minds and a very different Heathfield set about Eastbourne with a new intensity. Heathfield soon won the ball and Ross Riley ran all the way from the Eastbourne 10m to score under the posts with Sam converting.

Heathfield are soon awarded a penalty on the Eastbourne 5m line. Matt Overy crashes the ball up to the Eastbourne defenders and knocks the ball on over the line. Eastbourne heal the resulting scrum but the ball comes out loose for the ever alert Lee Keylock to steal and score.

Heathfield continued to pile on the pressure for the next 10 minutes but were unable to add any more points. Eastbourne finished strongly and playing in the Heathfield half but the home sides determination held. One scrum 5 minutes from time showed Heathfield's new found grit. Eastbourne were awarded a scrum 15m out. Heathfield who had been pushed for much of the match by a bigger Eastbourne pack launched a massive 8 man shove and drove Eastbourne off the ball.    

11/12/2006 1:20:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)