Sussex Rugby - Heathfield & Waldron RFC - Pulborough 1sts 14 Heathfield 1sts's 20

	Saturday, March 10, 2007

Pulborough 1sts 14 Heathfield 1sts's 20

Heath field’s young side were mentally and physically exhausted at the end of a pulsating period of extra time in their Sussex Shield semi-final at Pulborough on Saturday. Having achieved a tremendous win at Horsham the week before, the depleted squad rose to the occasion against a Pulborough side who had beaten them once this year and were highly motivated to achieve a double.

Heath field were prevented from playing their usual open and free flowing game by a side who attacked boldly from deep on a pitch which always favoured the team playing down the slope and with the strong breeze. Both teams made a number of errors but Heath won the game because of their belief in themselves and because of their remarkable determination. Both sides deserve much credit for their skill and their desire to play an open and attractive game. The home side proved much sterner opposition for the Greenies than sides placed higher in the league table. As the teams are due to meet again in a return league match at Cross in Hand this Saturday, Spectators should prepare for a feast of open running rugby.

Heath field held Pulborough for most of the first half against the elements and in fact scored the first try running up the hill thanks to a fine run on the burst from Rob Lawrence playing in the unaccustomed position of inside centre. Seb Jones took the scoring pass and ran in near enough the posts for Bryn Jones to convert. Pulborough were stung into action by conceding the first score and put their visitors under constant pressure for the remainder of the half, scoring two converted tries in the process. The half time score was 14-7 to Pulborough.

The Heath field faithful on the touch lines expected a relaxed second period with Heath field playing down the slope and with the wind. But it was not to be as Pulborough played some bold and fast rugby attacking Heath field with direct and powerful running whenever they had possession. After a great deal of pressure near the Pulborough line, the Greenies, in the person of the powerful Lawrence, forced their way over twice from close range for two unconverted tries and with only three minutes of normal time to play, Heath field appeared to have won the game by three points. However Pulborough came storming back and dead on the full time whistle they were awarded a penalty which their excellent scrum half converted to take the game into extra time at 17 points all.

The first period of extra time passed with the scores at 17 all and Heath field held the advantage of playing downhill in the final ten minutes. Still neither side would give ground and as Heath had scored Three tries to two it appeared that they simply had to hold on to win this epic match. With just one minute remaining Heathfield were awarded a kickable penalty and to the huge relief of players and supporters alike Bryn Jones struck the ball high between the posts. The Final score was 20-17 and another nail biter between the two clubs had run its roller coaster course.

No praise would be too high for the players of both sides. They gave their all for their respective clubs and frankly neither really deserved to lose. The tiny difference was Heath fields self confidence and dogged refusal to accept defeat. This result means that Heathfield and Waldron RFC will be contesting two finals at Crawley on Sunday March 25^th. The second or Development XV will play against Haywards Heath thirds for the Sussex Vase and the 1^st XV will play against Burgess Hill in the final of the Shield.

Report by Mike de St Croix

1st XV
3/10/2007 6:02:34 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)

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