Heathfield sealed the Sussex 1 League title on Saturday at the Hardy Roberts Playing Fields at Cross-In-Hand with an authoritative all-round performance scoring eleven tries against a willing but out-classed Pulborough.  Heathfield are now seven points clear of their nearest challenger, East Grinstead, with two league games remaining in the season.

These two teams had met just two weeks previously in the Sussex Shield Final in which Heathfield had eventually clinched a convincing win after an early Pulborough score.  This time Pulborough were short of several first choice players and they rarely threatened to score although they always competed in a good spirit.

The first try came in less than two minutes with Sam Thewlis on the right wing showing excellent individual skill and pace to chip ahead and re-gather the ball as he crashed over in the corner. (5-0) Then Adam Tennant on the other wing finished clinically from a Heathfield scrum near the visitor’s line. (10-0)

Pulborough were endeavouring to attack with what possession they had and in trying too hard they gave Matt Skinner an opportunity to intercept in the centre and touch down under the posts. (17-0)

The home team had a majority of possession with excellent pressure in the scrum and the lineout continuing to function well.  A period of sustained pressure on the Pulborough line eventually saw Bryn Jones step his way through the defence for a coolly taken try (24-0) and then Rob Lawrence was able to continue his Neil Back impersonation with a standard catch and drive from a lineout (29-0).

In the second half Pulborough had the benefit of the stiff chill wind but the game was played almost entirely in their half as Heathfield maintained control. As with the previous game against Hellingly, Heathfield Coach Dave Jones was urging his players to keep calm and patient and tries duly came.  Matt Skinner collected his second of the game using the pace and good lines of running that have often caught the eye this year (34-0).  Then Simon Wilson scored a classic No 8 try from the back of a scrum. (39-0).

Another period of pressure on the Pulborough line saw Bryn Jones score in a very similar manner to his try in the first half (44-0).  Seb Jones had earlier replaced Sam Thewlis (rib injury) and he also finished well in the right hand corner (49-0)

The last two tries were collected by the two top scorers this season.  Rob Lawrence put himself one ahead in this internal battle with an excellent finish beating several opponents (56-0) but then Adam Tennant drew level with another good finish (63-0). 

This contest promises to entertain players and spectators alike in the remaining two matches.  However this should not divert the team from one of their main objectives this season which is to win the league unbeaten.  Their next opponents Uckfield (at Uckfield 29^th March) still have a chance of promotion and will relish the chance to upset the green bandwagon.

Report by Phil Bell

3/8/2008 5:45:56 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)