Heathfield U15   40     Vs.     0    Pulborough U15

Heathfield U15s hosted Pulborough U15s on the main pitch at Cross-in-Hand for this re-arranged fixture on a morning of lashing rain and high gusting winds. The portents were not good as Heathfield had a number of late cry-offs for a game against dangerous opponents and were only able to field 20 players!

The match started with Heathfield receiving from the kick-off and playing with the wind and rain at their backs. From the kick-off Heathfield kept the ball tight as the conditions dictated, and drove hard and consistently into the Pulborough pack. Heathfield were able to do this and recycle the ball for multiple phases and, in the first ten minute period, relentlessly pounded the Pulborough defence. In the end, Heathfield scored from set-piece play in the middle of the pitch with Harry Reilly sending a delicate little grubber through for Henry Jolliffe to pick up and score. Harry converted superbly using the wind to draw in his kick, as good a kick as you will see at any level of rugby!

The remainder of the first half was played in the Pulborough half of the pitch with Heathfield in control of most phases of play. Heathfield came close to scoring a number of times in this half and a combination of some fine Pulborough tackling and mis-handling from Heathfield close to or over the line (often it has to be said due to the weight of tackle) left the scoreboard untroubled.

Finally though, Heathfield challenged a throw on the Pulborough 22m line and Will Morris managed to pick up the loose ball and crash over for his first score of the season. Harry Reilly bettered his previous kick at goal to land another from further out.

Half Time: Heathfield lead 14 – 0.

Fourteen points up and now into the wind and rain! Personally, I didn’t feel we had taken advantage of our overall superiority by putting points on the board and that might come to haunt us later in the match.

Thankfully, that feeling was to be proved wrong as Heathfield increased the tempo and intensity of their game. From another scrappy Pulborough lineout, Heathfield mauled the ball 15m upfield and when it finally broke down Alex Borg took the ball on and linked beautifully with Max Ellery who looked like he was going to make the line. A brave tackle from Pulborough stopped him 5m short but a little pop to the supporting Will Morris saw Will burst through to score close to the posts.

Heathfield’s support play between both backs and forwards was now at their best levels of the season. Fergus Diplock scored from just such support play not allowing  Pulborough to re-organise their defence. Fergus supported play beautifully to pick up loose ball and score another try close to the post.

Heathfield’s next try was easily their best of the season. Superb interplay between the backs and forwards combined with ferocious rucking to recycle the ball through a number of phases, eventually saw the excellent Greg Pearce on a charge upfield. Just as he was being brought down some fantastic support from Max, Alex and Henry Ross saw the ball fed to Gareth Lloyd to score.

That feat was to be bettered minutes later when the ball was fed down the line after more great work from the forwards. George Bending cut back inside and linked with Henry Ross and Fergus who broke through again to beat the cover defence to the line. However, the final Pulborough tackler forced Fergus to turn the wrong way and he failed to ground the ball. Now that really was a shame!

Finally though, strong defence from a resurgent Pulborough side who never gave up on the match, saw them spill the ball on the half-way line. Gareth picked the ball off the ground at full pace which just gave him the edge in the race to the line for him to score his second under the posts.

And so to the plaudits for the day. Harry ended up converting 5 of the 6 tries scored today. An excellent performance given the atrocious conditions! On a similar note, our lineout functioned superbly with Max hitting his jumpers throughout the match. Other mentions must go to Conor and Alex - tireless today, Will – awesome, Greg – the loose play king, Jasper – absolutely everywhere, Zack – getter better and better, Kieran – some excellent decision making, Fergus and Gareth who are developing a brilliant partnership and finally our back three of George Bending, Jack Koops and Henry Jolliffe who are just beginning to show signs of working as a unit. I think that’s everyone! However, if a man of the match were to be awarded, it would have to go to Henry Ross playing out of position on the blind-side for his all-round excellence!

Full Time: Heathfield win 40 – 0.