Heathfield took to the field with 14 players unavailable either through Sussex Training or injury. It is a sign of the strength of the club that 16 good players were able to make a team although a handful played out of their customary positions.

 

Heathfield started with a purpose and spent much of the first 10 minutes in the Rye half. Early pressure saw Sean then Joseph nearly over the line and then TJ bursting over but unable to get the ball down. From the resulting scrum Heathfield won the ball and Sean drove through to score. Joseph missed the conversion but did receive £15 for cutting the grass.

 

From the restart Baz fielded the ball on his own 22m line and proceeded to burst through 6 tackles and just outside the Rye moved the ball To Charlie who then moved it to Ross who ran in to score under the posts. Sam converted to make it 0 - 12.

 

Heathfield were now dominating the match and won a lineout on the half way line. Jake broke away from this and after a long run moved the ball to Charlie who was stopped just short but he managed to move the ball back to Jake who scored with a dive that puts Drogba to shame. 

 

Rye, rather than dropping their heads picked up their game spending time in the Heathfield 22 and after mistakes and some poor defense from Heathfield touched down and converted. Another Rye try followed with more poor tackling from Heathfield. 14 - 19

 

Into the second half and Heathfield with their rugby heads back on started taking the game to Rye. The forwards were now making the hard yards with Dom, Hussein, Sean & Phil all carrying the ball well. Good possession then allowed Anthony to release the backs to run the ball at will with great lines from Sam & Charlie.

 

It was from a series of rucks and drives that Dom drove over under the posts to score. Sam converts. Next it was Rye's turn to run back and score a converted try under the posts. Most of the last 10 minutes went to Rye as Heathfield struggled to regain their composure.

 

The game ended 21 - 24. Man of the Match Sean Dorrill happy with the win but looking for a more constant performance next week against Pulborough Colts.