Heathfield Under 16s continued their impressive form with a fine victory over a well organised Eastbourne. The visitors started brightly using the advantage of the windy conditions to pin the home side back in their own half for the first ten minutes with some strong pressing play which led to an opening score from the combined efforts of the Eastbourne back row.

This stirred the home side and some good handling in the Heathfield backs gave winger Joe Hastings a chance to show his speed and guile with two blistering runs, the second of which was well supported at the breakdown by the forwards and enabled No. 8 David Bayly to crash over and level the scores.

Heathfield were then able to get back to their game plan and with the forwards gaining control the game turned back to Heathfield. David Vater spotted an excellent running line from the base of a ruck on the 22 to score his first try for the club.

 The game was still evenly poised at half time and Heathfield knew they had to raise the game further to counter Eastbourne's fightback, and as expected Eastbourne took the game to the homne side pressing for an equalising score. Dogged defence and strong counter rucking by Reece Webb, James Morrell and David Bayly kept the visitors out and as they pressed Charlie Watson seized on a misplaced Eastbourne pass inside his own 22, broke free of the tacklers and coolly chipped the advancing full back to score a pitch length interception try.

At this point the home side relaxed and started to play with the cohesion seen in previous games. Powerful inside centre Toby Warren was a constant threat to the Eastbourne midfield and would surely have scored on three occasions but for the heroic last ditch tackling of the Eastbourne full back. As the home side dominated David Vater capped a fine display with two more tries, followed by a blistering 30 metre run to score beneath the posts by Joe Hastings.

 Heathfield relaxed a little too much from this point and Eastbourne brought respectability to the score by adding two tries of their own, but by then the hard work spent through the summer on fitness saw Heathfield dominate the final exchanges, leading to well earned try for Mitch Gadd who returned to the squad for the first time this season.

Good individual performances were evident across the squad, most notably from Will Maltby and James Morrell who were both excellent in broken play. Oscar Lacey was industrious at scrum half and Robert Taylor enjoyed a solid game on the wing. Newcomer Shawn Roys made a very confident debut at full back and David Bayly was once again supreme in his workload and commitment. However, the man of the match award went to Reece Webb who proved to be a solid wall in defence and performed all the hard, often unseen work in the rucks and mauls to secure possession.

 Heathfield started their league campaign with a well earned win against a decent Worthing side.

The visitors started brightly but Worthing took the lead after a cruel bounce of the ball from a clearance kick enabled a nippy Worthing winger to intercept and sprint in under the posts.

This stirred the visitors into action and captain David Bayly led the way with some strong running and ferocious tackling to pin the home side back in their own half. Waves of attacking moves from the backs eventually came good when centre Harry Clewley took a great line between two opposition centres to score from 25 metres out.

 Flying winger Joe Hastings added a second five minutes later with a trademark sprint to the corner as the backs began to really click and spin the ball out wide. Harry Clewley showed his kicking prowess with an amazing conversion from the left touchline.

As the visitors grew in confidence they applied yet more pressure on the home side and a solid scrum on the 22 metre line provided time and space for fly half Matt Barber to dummy the pass out, neatly sidestep his opposite number and drive through the tackle of the full back to score a well earned first try of the season.

The forwards were now taking full control and excellent driving play from locks Ben Smith and Alex Benson caused havoc in the opposition defence. Hooker Jack Fellows showed the speed and grace of his forbears in sprinting 40 metres down the right flank and although unlucky not to evade the covering tackles the ball was kept alive and quickly spun out to the left where Harry Clewley popped up again to crash over for his second try.

Heathfield knew that Worthing would give everything to get back on even terms and for the first part of the second half the home side played some excellent rugby, using their lineout to good effect. A penalty in midfield provided captain Bayly with a chance to give his defending troops a moment's rest and Harry Clewley stepped up to add three more points with a fine long range kick.

 This stirred Heathfield on to another level and strong, direct running from forwards James Morrell, Sam Saunters and Will Maltby battered the home side backwards and gave quick ball for the midfield trio of scrum half Tom Faraone, Matt Barber and Harry Clewley to create exciting and unstoppable running rugby. Three more tries were added in this period with one from  Clewley and two trademark bursts from Toby Warren who returned from injury to add yet more power to the back line in the final stages, all converted by Matt Barber.

Stong performances from all over the pitch contributed to this victory including very pleasing contributions from prop Ed Owen, centre Joe Sandford and a typical blockbuster performance from full back George Wardle who tackled and counter-attacked with equal efficiency.

 The choice for the man of the match award was very close with displays of high individual skill from Matt Barber and Harry Clewley. However the award went to Captain David Bayly who was simply everywhere throughout the game with a true captain's performance from No. 8.

On Friday 17th April The Clubhouse will again be the venue for the next fantastic Quiz Nite.  Hosted by the Junior section of the Club, compared by the Dynamic Duo Helen Goacher and Alison Bending, pencils will need to be sharpened, thinking caps put firmly on and a rallying cry of 'oooohhhh I know this one' at the ready!

Everyone is welcome, the atmosphere is always electric with excitement and anticipation of not being on the bottom of the scoreboard!

To enter your team all you will need is 4-6 players, a silly name, a £20 note, and to notify either your Squad Manager, Helen or Alison.  See Easy!

SEE YOU THERE!!!

Forgotten Valentines Day is round the Corner????   Don't know what to get for your loved one?  Can't be bothered to trawl round the shops for that special gift???

Then luckily Your Club has come to the rescue.  Not only can you buy sexy tasteful lingerie, delightful jewellery and loads of other lovely things - but you can also have a pint (or two), see your mates, and whatever match is on the TV - whilst you buy!! BRILLIANT!(Rumour has it that Ann Summers will also be there!)  So lads come to the pamper evening at the Clubhouse on Friday 13th Feb - where all your Valentine present problems could be solved.........

For the lovely ladies who would like to come along.....  see all of the above plus there will be waxing and nails and even tarrot card readings!

See you there on the 13th February - 7.30pm onwards

Friday 30th January saw the clubhouse packed to overflowing for the Junior Quiz Night.  With 11 teams of 6 taking part the atmosphere was brilliant.  It was great to see teams from all age groups of the Junior Section of the club come together to make up this fantastic event. Over by the door there were the Beauties and the Beast (Mr. Wardle) ! who didn't put off the H3 Team and stuck over by the bar were the No Table Team - that's how busy it was!!

Despite the heckling from the bosterous crowd, the event was ably compared by Helen Goatcher and Alison Bending (they also put together the questions) and the evening was nicely rounded off with plates of chilli!

A great evening and over £200 made for the Club.  Thank you to everyone who took part to make the evening a success!

League game, Midhurst 0 – Heathfield & Waldron 43

Heathfield left for Midhurst in high spirits however, it was not to be a simple trip and with the A272 closed due to flooding just after Billingshurst, some of the team and the kit arrived a little late, leaving little time to warm up. This lack of preparation showed, and with Midhurst kicking off,  Heathfield were under the cosh for the first 5 to 10 minutes soaking up the Home side’s pressure.

However after warming up and getting used to the 2 new players, Jack Fellows at Hooker and Joe Wood at Full Back, Heathfield got their act together.  Following a ground making kick from Jack Warren into the Midhurst half,  Heathfield forwards dominated with several minutes of pick and drive before finally getting  the ball to prop forward Frasier Goatcher; who in classic prop style got his legs pumping and cleared all out of his way to ground the ball for the first try of the game. Jack Warren kicked the conversion, for a further 2 points.

Midhurst again kicked deep and Heathfield losing the ball had to absorb more Midhurst pressure before the backs, who had now warmed up,  took the game in hand and raced away to get winger Sam Browne in for a second score.

This time the restart was not messed up by Heathfield and after catching cleanly, Heathfield  managed get the ball to the other winger, Owen Lewis, who stepped gracefully out of several tackles before grounding the ball, for Heathfield’s 3rd try. The last try of the first half went again to the forwards with flanker ,Oli Stables scoring and Jack Warren finding the posts to finish the first half 24 points up.

Heathfield kicked off the second half with the slope and expected to run away with the game. However, for the next 5 minutes this was not the case, as a determined Midhurst worked hard to get on the score board, only to see their efforts come to nothing as centre Ethan Walker took the ball at pace and cleared the Midhurst backs for the 5th try and Warrens 3rd conversion. The forwards where not to be left out and after building more pressure scrum half Tom Nudd collected the ball from the base of a ruck to sidestep a couple of tackles and get the ball to ground despite the best efforts of Midhurst. Warren again stepped up and slotted the ball between the posts. So after 15 minutes of the second Half Heathfield need just 2 more points to finish the game. However if they thought it was a done deal they where mistaken and Midhurst where not yet ready to give up. Despite 5 more minutes of pressure it took another of Heathfield new crop of players, Patrick Cremin to find the line, and with his first try for the club bringing the game to an end.

Heathfield Team:
Ed Boulton, Sam Browne (1 try), Miles Carter, Patrick Cremin (1 try), Jack Fellows (1st appearance), Fraser Goatcher (1 try), Will Jones, Alex Lester, Owen Lewis (1 try),  Tom Nudd (1 try), Merlin Roberts, Oli Stables (1 try), Ethan Walker (1 try), Jack Warren (4 conversions), Ben Wickens, Joe Wood (1st appearance)

Eastbourne 0 – Heathfield 60

Eastbourne unfortunately could not field a front row so immediately started with a 10 point deduction.

With both teams sitting tied second in the league with 10 points apiece this was a season making / breaking fixture for both teams. It was also the first time that Miles Carter, captaining for Heathfield, had played against his old club. Unfortunately Eastbourne’s front row was depleted due to injury and for safety reasons the game was played with uncontested scrums.

Playing into the sun Heathfield kicked off and put the ball deep in to the Eastbourne half and that’s where they stayed for the next 5 minutes until after a period of pick and drive were rewarded with a darting try over the line.

Eastbourne restarted again with a deep quick kick, which was collected by Heathfield and taken back in to the Eastbourne half. However this time after several attacks the Eastbourne defence held strong and with nowhere to go Heathfield set up the fly half deep in the pocket to collect an easy 3 points from a drop goal.

The remainder of the 1st half had Heathfield cross the Eastbourne line a further 3 times. So at half time the score was 0 – 30

The second half started with a more committed and attacking game from Eastbourne and neither side managed to score for 10 minutes, however after sitting back for a while Heathfield stepped on the gas and ran in a further 4 try’s to finish this entertaining fixture in the sun with a clean sheet.

Special note should be given to man of the match, Tom Nudd with 3 try’s and some excellent play. Additionally running Tom a close second was Winger Owen Lewis who has found a new strength and promise this season and was responsible for making many game metres today.

Heathfield Team:
Edd Boulton, Miles Carter (capt) (1 try), Patrick Cremin, Fraser Goatcher(1 Try), Will Jones (1 try), Caspian Kingdon, Ed Koops (1 try), Alex Lester, Owen Lewis, Will Maxfield, Tom Nudd (3 try’s)(Man of the match), Merlin Roberts, Oli Stables (1 try), Ethan Walker, Jack Warren (Drop goal and 3 conversions) Ricky Zeitlin

This Heathfield side have never beaten Hove but all that changed at Cross-in-Hand on Sunday.

Heathfield took the lead after 10 minutes with a well taken penalty by Mike Abbott but neither side were able to dominate and the game was a very stop start affair. However mid way through the half, the ball travelled down the Hove backs and following a few weak tackles they went over to take the lead. The conversion was kicked to make the score 3-7.

Heathfield rallied and started to string some phases together. Every time Hove gained possession, the back row of Ben Darcy, Matt Halls and Greg Salmon got amongst them, causing problems and Hove were unable to get any continuity.

The rucking of the home side was also excellent, particularly Larry Platt, Tom Watkins and Alex Scott who turned over the visitors on several occasions. Hooker Tom Keylock also had an excellent game, on any loose ball.

From a ruck on Hove's 22, a cleverly orchestrated backs move saw centre Charlie Dagwell burst onto the ball and dive over. Abbott slotted the conversion. Heathfields tails were up !  Minutes later, following great aggressive tackling by Halls, Hove conceded a scrum close to their line. Captain Darcy passed to right wing Ash Sutton who dived in at the corner.

Just before half time a brilliant drop goal by the Hove fly half brought the score back to 15-10.

It was all Heathfield in the second half though with strong running and excellent hands particularly by Wings Wayne Granich and Sutton, saw good yardage gained. Clever "pick and go's" by Scott, Keylock and Darcy meant that the Hove back row were always occupied and this gave the Heathfield backs more time and space. Fraser Rogers came on in the second row and he immediately got into the game by wrapping up one of the Hove centres and carried him 10 yards up the field

A long kick by Abbott forced the Hove defence to kick out and from the resulting lineout another clever move resulted in Oli Hancock with half his own pack behind him, drive him over for a much needed score.

The confidence in the Heathfield side was now for all to see. Another backs move saw Jeremy Burdett side step and jink his way 30 yards right through the heart of the Hove defence and the ruck was formed. The ball was recyled and Larry Platt was on hand to drive over and score the fourth try to earn the much needed bonus point. It also sealed a wonderful win and keeps the Heathfield U16s in the title chase.

Match Report by Bradley Bundett

Heathfield traveled to Lewes on Sunday for their third league fixture of the season. Playing without several key players namely their captain Ben Darcy (Sussex rugby match imminent)  Larry Platt (concussion) Greg Salmon (sleeping bag incident !) Dayle Hollands (ankle) Campbell Lacey (wrist).

None the less, these players were ably replaced by Robert Horsfall Turner, Fraser Rogers, Callum Bridges and Alex Scott all of whom had terrific games.

Tom Keylock captained the side and switched to back row and was truly inspirational. He scored one and was everywhere securing any loose ball.

Horsfall Turner who won man of the match, replaced Keylock at Hooker with reunited props Hancock and "Shrek" Watkins won virtually every scrum against a very large Lewes pack. With the Heathfield pack dominating, the backs had a field day. With a total of ten tries scored and 7 conversions it was a rout. Tries coming from winger Ash Sutton, Wade Granich , Peter Phair , Oli Hancock , Tom Keylock  and fly half Mike Abbott . His kicking was excellent also, slotting 6 out of 7 - mostly from wide out, with Jeremy Burdett, whose tackling was outstanding, also kicking 1 nonchalant conversion. Comment must be made about the team work and overall gameplay of the Heathfield team. The game was won in the first 20 minutes with four tries coming very quickly.

Heathfield outplayed Lewes in every department with the scrummage exerting total control, the backs running incisively and all crucial tackles being made. Thanks must go to the large contingent of supporters who were extremely vocal in cheering Heathfield on, creating the atmosphere of a home match. Heathfield made several changes at half time with the match already won, and after 10 minutes of the second half with the score standing at 54 - 0 Lewes decided to end the match. A fantastic result for Heathfield to put them second in the Sussex A league.

5 tries from Heathfield’s backs, 4 of which scored by wingers, was Pulborough’s undoing when they travelled to Heathfield on Sunday for a league encounter.

2 tries by left wing Ash Sutton with very strong running inside the first 15 minutes set the trend, fly-half Mike Abbott converting one from wide out.  Unfortunately, soon after, Heathfield lost flanker Campbell Lacey with an injured wrist.  With centres Jeremy Burdett and Charlie Dagwell looking like they had been playing together for years, the wings were always going to get plenty of ball.  But Heathfield had to work very hard as Pulborough’s strong and well-drilled pack had the lion’s share of the lineout and caused the normally solid Heathfield scrum several problems.  However, from a Pulborough scrum on their own 22, a good squeeze from the home team front five enabled hooker Alex Hope to win one against the head.  Quick ball from Elliot Marshall to Abbott onto Burdett whose timed pass caught Dagwell on a brilliant line to score.   Abbott converted.

Heathfield rang the changes at half time enabling their whole squad to play but it took time for them to settle.  With the back row of Greg Salmon, Matt Halls and Ben Darcy putting the visitors under so much pressure, Pulborough were forced to kick most of their possession away.   The clearing out at rucks particularly by Tom Watkins, Tom Keylock and Larry Platt continued to give the talented backline all the ball it could want. 

So, Heathfield quickly regained their confidence from the first half and more clean possession found the Heathfield backs too hot to handle and a good loop by Abbott made the extra man and Wade Granich was on hand to score in the corner.  Soon after, a tremendous tackle by the Pulborough fullback on Sutton not only saved another certain try but forced Sutton to leave the field and it was the fullback once again who caught a kick deep in his half and ran the whole length of the pitch to score his side’s consolation try. 

Heathfield were not finished, however, and with a minute remaining, a quick pass by Salmon gave Dagwell, now playing on the wing, his second try in the corner to finish the match for Heathfield as comfortable winners.

Man of the match for Heathfield was Jeremy Burdett who had a tidy, good all-round game both in tackling and distribution.

24/9/06

Horsham (a)

01/10/06

Pulborough (a)

08/10/06

Bognor (h)

22/10/06

Shoreham (a)

29/10/06

Hove (a)

5/11/06

Uckfield (a)

19/11/06

Hastings (a)

26/11/06

Horsham (h)

10/12/06

Shoreham (h)

07/01/07

Eastbourne (a)

14/01/07

Hove B (a)

21/01/07

Eastbourne (h)

11/02/07

Hellingly (a)

18/02/07

Lewes (h)

18/03/07

Haywards Heath B (a)

25/03/07

Edenbridge (h)

01/04/07

Hastings (a)

15/04/07

Burgess Hill (h)

22/04/07

League Final (a)

Please send any items for inclusion on the coming season, training times, contact information etc to nick.green@hwrfc.co.uk

Heathfield put out a mainly U16 side with 5 U17s versus a bigger looking Kent side but still put in a convincing performance to run out winners by 5 tries to 1.

With 24 players to choose from it was agreed that the match would be played in 4 x 20 minutes sessions so that everyone got a good run out.  Heathfield started well with a well worked lineout move which saw Sean Dorrill peel round the front to score.  Some indifferent forward play gave the visitors the chance to equalise but some great backs moves saw the flying winger Tom Hollyman crash over in the corner to give Heathfield a 10- 5 interval lead in a tight first half.

The second half saw a tactical substitution with Tom “The Hitman” Rickman coming into Hooker and winning some good ball, coupled with excellent lineout throwing gave the home side the upper hand.  Centre Ross Riley extended the lead with a breakaway try after a superb crunching tackle by Baz Hunt and then power house Dan Rumsey crashed over under the posts for Tom Ingram to slot the extra points.

By now the home side were becoming rampant and some great runs were made by the backs with support from the forwards ensuring continuity.  Hollyman scored near the end in the corner to persuade the coaches that he should share the Man of the Match award with Tom Rickman.

The only area of concern were heavy injuries to Dom Hodge and Josh Jackson and both are doubtful as the U16s travel to Worthing for the Sussex 7s next weekend.

Head Coach Dickie Bird said “it was a wonderful performance and augers well for next season when the guys will play a mixture of U17 and U18 fixtures.  It was the first time this season that the backs looked in full control and with Chris Salmon to return as backs coach we should enter 2006/7 full of confidence .

Match report by the ever eloquent Dave Robertshaw.