Pre-season friendlies are not a reliable guide to what happens subsequently but there can be no doubting that Heathfield will be happier than Haywards Heath after this entertaining match. Sadly London South Africa had decided that they could not face the arduous journey to Sussex and this alternative match had been agreed late on Friday. Haywards Heath play three divisions above Heathfield so a one-sided affair might have been expected but the green team are definitely on an upward path.
The early exchanges were even but after eight minutes a set piece miss-move brought the home full back into the line and he had the pace to touch down in the corner. Their kicker achieved a one hundred percent record on the day with four conversions and one penalty.
A second home try came from broken play when a chip ahead stood up nicely for their left wing to collect at pace and avoid the defence. At 14-0 Heathfield might have wilted and accepted their lowly place against the higher-ranked team but there were already signs that this was not going to be a one-sided affair. The green scrummage was starting to exert pressure and neither side achieved dominance at the break down.
Heathfield now struck back with a well-taken try by Seb Jones following up a precisely weighted chip by his brother Bryn (14-5). Shortly afterwards Haywards Heath extended their lead with a penalty kick (17-5). The fact that they felt it necessary to take the penalty gives an indication of how concerned they were about the result.
The game was now very much in the balance and Heathfield were looking increasingly competitive. However a promising green attack broke down when a chip ahead was charged down, the full back pounced on the loose ball and again had too much pace for the wrong-footed defence (24-5).
Just when the home supporters had begun to feel comfortable Heathfield now surged into the opposition 22 and again dominated a scrummage to collect a push-over try that was claimed by Simon Wilson at no 8 although Lee Vockins at scrum-half disputed this – twas ever thus. Whoever did touch down, the front row of Cooley, Lawrence and Watton take the major credit for a moment that will have given the home management some serious concerns for the season ahead.
At half time Haywards Heath made at least five substitutions (the coaches had previously agreed on unlimited subs as the match was a friendly) while Heathfield initially continued unchanged.
The pattern of the game continued with the Heathfield having the edge in the pack but Haywards Heath looking slightly more dangerous outside. There were chances at both ends with the defences just proving adequate. The home team made a number of additional replacements during this half and they probably used over 25 players during the match as they justifiably used the match to evaluate their squad so this was not a true reflection of their likely first team.
Finally three minutes from time a well-angled run by a home three quarter cracked the Heathfield defence to touch down under the posts for the only score of the second half and the conversion completed the scoring at 31-12.
Heathfield look a settled organised team for whom Ollie Smith and Jason Holewell made very satisfactory first appearances in a green shirt adding welcome depth to the pack. They now look forward to their first league match on 12th September away to East Grinstead. A good standard has been set – now to maintain and improve it.
1st XV | Latest News
8/29/2009 10:04:11 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00) 
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