The two previously unbeaten clubs in Sussex Division 1 fought out this competitive and entertaining game at Cross-In-Hand with the home team emerging victorious after scoring three tries to one.  Plentiful supporters from both clubs enjoyed probably the best game of the season so far, played in an excellent spirit.

Playing into a steady, chill wind in the first half Heathfield were hit by three penalties within 25 minutes, one from the halfway line by the impressive Grinstead kicker.  The visiting three-quarter line was looking fast and dangerous but the home defence was coping and the try line was rarely threatened although most of the play was in the Heathfield half.

The home lineout was an especially strong feature in the first half with Mark Walker outstanding in securing his own ball and frequently disrupting the opposition. Throwing-in was difficult in the conditions but Rob Lawrence was hitting his target consistently and the whole unit was working well.

Heathfield occasionally managed to work their way out of their own half as the pack began to achieve some control and on one of these occasions a penalty near the Grinstead 22 gave Bryn Jones a straightforward three points (3-9).  Entertainingly a couple of the visitors tried to charge down the kick which merely resulted in a Heathfield penalty at the restart on halfway.  The scrummage had been a fair contest but now a strike against the head by the green front row provided a good attacking opportunity although the half ended without any more points.

George Leney was  replaced by Paul Flood who was to make his usual impact on the opposition. Cognoscenti in the crowd, and a few who know about the game, considered that being six points down after playing into the wind was a promising situation.  However shortly after the restart East Grinstead had a lineout in the home 22.  A resulting free kick caught the Heathfield players losing concentration so a Grinstead flanker was able to cross for a try almost untouched.  Inevitably the try was converted so Heath were now 13 points down and a home win looking less likely.

However the home pack was now playing well and some fine positional kicks by Bryn Jones utilising the wind gained many yards.  Much of the play was in the Grinstead 22 and eventually Adam Tennant completed a good passage of play with a finely taken try beating several opponents.

The referee had been consistent all day in penalising both sides for going over the top and other offences at the breakdown: many of these were against Heathfield which often disrupted the increasing pressure on the visitor’s line.  However a period of forward control finally gave Rob Lawrence a chance to wrestle his way over and for Bryn Jones to convert for the 15-16 score-line.

Dan Hunter-Evans now replaced Richard Cooley and Mike Hole came on for Ross Riley who had been making his debut for the first team.  This is the second week in a row that a product of the Heathfield youth teams has been newly selected for the top team.  Heath have so far used 29 players in the seven competitive matches this season of which just one has been lost, demonstrating the increased strength in depth.

A few minutes later the green hooker appeared on the right wing after more sustained pressure to collect his second try of the day.  He was reported to have twinged his Achilles during the pre-match warm-up but the sight of the try line can have a remarkable healing effect. 

Although now behind 20-16 East Grinstead continued to pose a considerable threat through their three-quarters.  Then with ten minutes remaining a penalty gave Bryn Jones another kick in front of the posts (23-16).  Needing a converted try to draw the match, the visitors were having to attack from their own 22 but the green defence held firm through the remaining time, not without a few nervous moments for the home supporters.  To come back to win from 3-16 was an impressive performance from this young and developing team.

The fixture between these two sides in two weeks time in the Sussex Vase competition promises another competitive afternoon but before then Heathfield travel to Seaford next Saturday for another Sussex 1 League match – kickoff 2.15pm.

Report by Phil Bell

11/24/2007 7:05:37 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)