An emphatic victory by eleven tries to nil kept Heathfield at the top of London SE3 and unofficially christened the club’s new pitch in delightful style. The main pitch was frozen in parts but the excellent grass cover on the new Cypress field allowed the game to proceed.
The visitors are at the bottom of the league and although they kept plugging on they never threatened the home try line. The foundation for the result was provided by a dominant scrum where Jim Davies, Tom Pritchard and Richard Cooley had control from the start and a pushover try after six minutes, touched down by Ollie Robertshaw, told the visitors that they were in for a difficult day. Sam Goatcher converted (7-0).
After fifteen minutes the ball was moved quickly to Sam ‘Mono’ Thewlis on the right wing and he finished well for the first of his three tries on the day (12-0). Bruce Pestell was unfortunate to be yellow-carded for handbags as he was severely provoked but the scrummage remained in control, gaining more than one ball against the head even with a man short. Most of the game was being played in the visitors’ half and repeated attacks finally produced a second try for Robertshaw just before half time (19-0).
Heathfield played up the slight slope in the second half but any hopes that the visitors may have had that this would help them were dashed as the green scrum took another ball against the head and swift hands moved the ball to Ollie Brown on the left wing for the first of his three tries. His second followed three minutes later as he had too much pace and skill for his opponents (31-0).
Damien Pestell at full back now received the ball from a clearance kick by the defence and he ran it back to claim a fine try although by now the visitor’s tackling was showing a lack of enthusiasm (36-0). The visitors’ captain, Michael Hodge, at outside centre was one of their few bright points but he struggled with little ball or support.
After nearly fifteen minutes a delightful looped pass by Matt Skinner found Thewlis for his next try (43-0).
Lee Vockins had taken a knock earlier and was replaced with Skinner moving to scrum half and Seb Jones coming on at centre. However tries continued to come as D Pestell now claimed his second of the day. Davies was replaced after his impressive performance and this allowed Sam Buckland to make a very decent first team debut – he has earned this through impressive efforts for the development team.
With ten minutes remaining Thewlis collected his third try and from the kickoff Brown collected his third following a break by Skinner as the defence wilted and waited for the final whistle (60-0).
After some interplay on the left wing Jones dived over from a ruck to complete the scoring (65-0) in a match that suggests that the new pitch will suit the home team. The pitch will be officially opened next Sunday.
This Saturday (6thFeb 2.30) Heathfield entertain Hastings in another league match.
1st XV | Latest News
1/30/2010 5:41:28 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00) 
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