Jerry is one of the Club’s most loyal VP’s having supported H&W for over  ten years.  He has supported all VP functions and usually attends matches at Cross in Hand.  A couple of years ago he was literally struck down with a debilitating illness which threatened his ability to walk and was for a time life threatening. 

Mercifully with his customary courage and determination he recovered and then applied to take part in a BBC series about people who have overcome serious illness and are training for this year’s London Marathon.

‘Run for Glory’ on BBC One

Episode 1: Thursday 2 March, 7pm

Episode 2: Thursday 9 March, 7pm

Episode 3: Thursday 16 March, 7pm

Episode 4: Thursday 23 March, 7pm

Episode 5: Thursday 30 March, 7pm

Episode 6: Thursday 6 April, 7pm

Episode 7: Thursday 13 April, 7pm

Episode 8: Thursday 20 April, 7pm

Episode 9: Monday 24 April, 7pm tbc (one hour special to include the Marathon)

Find out more by watching the series and if you wish to sponsor Jerry please email me on mikedestc@aol.com

Jerry told me last weekend that one of the best sponsorship offer he has received so far is from our cheerful Hon Club Padre who has offered a free funeral should the marathon prove too much for him!!!  Knowing Jerry he will come through his challenge with flying colours.

Mike de St Croix

2/21/2006 2:44:22 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Another tremendous display of passion and commitment saw Heathfield brush aside their visitors from East Grinstead as they pressurised them from the first whistle to the last.

From the kick-off the visitors found themselves in their own 22 and a wayward pass saw flanker Dayle Hollands scoop up the loose ball and dive in to score. Minutes later number 8 Matt Halls peeled of the back of a maul and darted through a gap to put Heathfield 10 points up. Captain Imran Iqbal had an inspirational game and lead from the front and was deservedly named "Man of the Match". His running lines were superb and good field position was gained. The tackling of the side has improved over the last few months and Ben O'Connell put in a super hit to halt a Grinstead attack in its tracks.

The visitors struggled to gain any platform to work from. At scrums the solid Heathfield front row of Oliver Hancock, Tom Keylock and Pudsie Pring, gave their opposite numbers problems and at line outs, although East Grinstead won more possession, Heathfield's back row of Salmon, Halls and Hollands were in amongst them quickly. The hard working second rows of Jake Tyler and Ben Darcy had tackled themselves to a standstill and were tactically substituted at Half time for Larry Platt and Robert Horsfall-Turner who also both had solid games. A lovely back move involving centre Campbell Lacey and wing Peter Phair early in the second half, resulted in Salmon bursting up the touchline to score giving one try each for the back row.

With heavy rain it was amazing that Heathfield were able to play such fluid rugby in atrocious conditions but they continued right to the end. Fly half Jeremy Burdett set up an attack from half way. The ruck was formed and replacement scrum half Will Chipchase sent out a wonderful pass to Burdett who cleverly fed Dayle Hollands through a gap, beating three players and scoring his second try under the posts, thus making the conversion easy for Halls to slot.

Elliott Marshall's clever little darting break put Heathfield deep into Grinstead territory and following a clearing kick, fielded by Alex Scott, he ghosted his way through several would-be tacklers to score the final try. East Grinstead well deserved their only try from their inside centre very late on but it was too little, too late and Heathfield ran out comfortable and worthy winners.

Brady Burdett aged 42

IMMENSELY PROUD COACH!

2/19/2006 11:25:12 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Boars raise their game

The Boars went into this league game on the back of a run of improving results and intent on avenging a heavy defeat in the reverse fixture earlier in the year.  In greasy wet conditions the victory can be put down to a good performance from the Heathfield forwards and excellent tackling in the backs.

Playing up the infamous Waldron slope in the first half Heathfield showed they meant business by taking the play to Lewes from the off.  At scrums Heathfield's big front row applied the pressure that kept Lewes's big back row tied in and gave space for centres Wates and Hesketh to make ground.  Heathfield won a series of penalties at rucks and Paul Watton made Lewes pay for these when he barged over between the posts after 20 minutes for a try converted by Kenny Lewis.  These two combined well for the second try 10 minutes later when Lewes just stopped Watton a metre short of the line only to find that Lewis had taken the ball and sneaked in to score a try that he then converted.  Lewes rallied from here and Heathfield found themselves defending their own line for the last 10 minutes of the half.

After the break Heathfield made the slope count and scrum half Ben Taylor scored a nicely taken try when he picked up from the base of a scrum and took advantage of a gap in the defensive line.  Shortly afterwards the Heathfield number 8, Mike Brown, controlled the ball well as the Boars dominated at a 5 metre scrummage and got the touch to score a pushover try that took the score to 24-0.

Lewes refused to lie down and their spirit saw them score in the top left corner after taking a quick penalty that sucked in too many Heathfield defenders.  They then applied a period of pressure that belied the score and might have come back into the game had not Julian Wates used his experience to intercept a pass on halfway and then used the slope to carry him over the try line.  That killed to game as a contest and Brady Burdett put the icing on the cake when he looped round his centres and went over in the bottom left corner for the final try of the match.

Tackle of the match was when blindside flanker Simon Walker spotted the dangerous Lewes number 8 pick up and drive and he took man and ball into touch.  The Lewes man retired hurt shortly afterwards.  The 'Man of the Match' award went to captain Kenny Lewis for his all round performance. The Boars hope to take their fine form into the match against league leaders Robertsbridge in 2 weeks time.

Squad - M. Powderley (M. MacLeod - 55), T. Wates (A. Sutton - 50), P. Watton (S. Lester - 65), P. Hookway, T. Rose, S. Walker, K. Lewis (Capt.), M. Brown, B. Taylor, B. Burdett, J. Wates, D. Hesketh, G. Ellery, P. Squires (S. Hollingsdale - 75), P. Fitzgerald (N. Slack - 50)

Report by: Mike MacLeod

Who pushed him over then?!...

2/18/2006 9:20:45 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

This game was played in wet and thoroughly unpleasant conditions but all the players and the referee provided one of the most entertaining matches seen at Cross in Hand for a long time. This was a splendid advertisement for club rugby and both clubs and the excellent ref deserve huge credit.

There were many handling mistakes but both teams attempted to play attacking rugby and although the tackling was fierce the game was played in the best spirits of the game.  Heathfield deserved to win because although they were under pressure for long periods they played the most constructive rugby and their young backs always threatened when presented with good ball.  Under their patient and skilful coach Dave Jones the Greenies are gaining in confidence and are developing into a well drilled unit. 

All bar one of their tries was scored by backs, the exception being a superb solo effort by the ever dependable lock Jim Cumming who jigged and side-stepped his way through the Pulborough side from outside their 22 to secure the match winning try.  It was just reward as Jim had previously crossed for a try after a catch and drive from Bruce Pestell.  Unfortunately the ref was unsighted.

Pulborough won all the early possession but as soon as the home backs started running some good ball Seb Jones, last seasons Colts captain, finished an excellent move to score a try on his 1^st XV debut.  After a slow start Heath kept up the pressure and soon after Cumming’s disallowed try Bruce Pestell, who was outstanding in a much improved pack, won a line out inside the Pulborough 22 for skipper Bryn Jones to cut inside, sell a dummy and score a  try under the posts.

The Jones brother’s monopoly on the score sheet was broken when another of Heathfield’s fast improving backs Joe Riley sprinted down the wing from halfway to score in the corner after collecting his own kick ahead.  Pulborough replied with a well taken try and the teams changed ends with Heath ahead by 17-5.

The second half produced some robust but always clean rugby with Jack Bailey and Kobe Tonkin always in the thick of things and the evergreen Tim Evans making a number of charging runs.  New boy Tom Pritchard standing in at scrum half after an injury to Lee Vockins also showed what an asset he will be to the Greenies.  Returning to the scoring it was back to man of the match Bryn Jones to score another try after good work by Damien Pestell who continues to impress now that he is near to top form after injury. Pulborough never flagged and their two converted tries were just reward for a wholehearted performance.

The corner has turned for this Heathfield side.  On the evidence of this performance they will be a pleasure to watch and will continue to improve on their position in Sussex Division 1.

Heathfield: Fellows, Marchant (C Jones), Burchett (Everett), Evans, Cumming, B Pestell, Bayley, Tonkin, Vockins (Pritchard), B Jones, Willis, D Pestell, Hole, S Jones, J Riley

Report by: Mike de St Croix

2/18/2006 9:07:07 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

What do you call a squad made up of Boars forwards and Development team backs? Surely it must be the "Developing Boars". Whatever the name it was a 'combined team' that faced the Hove Beefeaters on a sunny afternoon that offered the promise of perfect conditions for running rugby.

The game started with Hove taking the early initiative by attacking repeatedly through their large pack. Early set pieces suggested that it might be a long afternoon for Heathfield's forwards if they could not retain the ball on their own put in. It took Heathfield about 10 minutes to sort themselves out and counter the forward strength of Hove with quick ball to the backs. This tactic paid off when Barry Slay came into the line from fullback and danced past two defenders in a 22-metre dash to the line. Will Drinkwater accepted an easy conversion to take the score to 7-0.

More hard work in the forwards (the tight 5 working hard in set pieces with superb work from the back row in the loose) gave the Heathfield backs enough ball to ensure good territorial advantage. From a maul on the 22 metre line Mike Brown produced an excellent break before being hauled down on the 5-metre line. Mike Brown did superbly to retain the ball and was (to everyone's surprise) supported by props Macleod and Lester who made room for Andy Sutton to pick up and crash over the line for a score once again converted by Will Drinkwater.

If Heathfield thought that this might cause their opponents to drop their heads and open the floodgates Hove were to prove them wrong. Yard by yard the Hove forwards drove up the hill and were rewarded for their efforts by a well worked converted try. The Hove forwards bludgeoned the defence forcing the Heathfield defenders to commit too many bodies before spinning the ball wide to score in the right hand corner.

Heathfield then went back to work and got what was to prove the decisive score 5 minutes before half time. A Brady Burdett break was well supported by Mike Brown and Tom Faulkner-Bryant finished off with a pick up and drive when Brown was hauled down just short of the line. Will Drinkwater hit the post with a difficult conversion attempt leaving the half time score at 19-7.

The second half was much more difficult for Heathfield as they had to play up the slope and the heavier Hove forwards ensured that the game was mostly played in the Heathfield half. Heathfield had a brief respite when Hove had a man sin-binned for failure to retreat at a penalty but failed to take advantage of the extra man.

When Hove were restored to a full compliment Heathfield had to defend for a long spell as Hove won 'put in' at a series of scrums and applied serious pressure.  After several drives from the base of the scrum Hove were awarded a penalty try as the Heathfield back row broke their binding too early in search of an early tackle. The try was converted to take the score to 19-14 and the outcome of the game was back in the balance.

The rest of the match was generally evenly fought with both side threatening. But the game went to Heathfield after a tackle by Walker and MacLeod denied Hove when they kept the ball from being grounded over the try line during Hove's most threatening attack.

Squad - M. MacLeod, J. La Roche, S. Lester, A. Sutton (P. Hookway - 40 mins), S. Walker, K. Lewis, Tom Faulkner-Bryant (D. Wythe - 40 mins), M. Brown, W. Drinkwater, B. Burdett, D. Hesketh (C. Jones - 40 mins), A. Farrell, P. Phillipou, O. Hearsey (W. Harris - 40), B. Slay

Report by Mike MacLeod

2/11/2006 9:11:12 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Squad: R Burchett, J Marchant, L Marshall, T Evans, J Cumming, B Pestell, T Pritchard, K Tonkin, L Vockins, B Jones, J Riley, D Pestell, M Hole, L Willis, S Thewlis, C Jones, J Bayley, M Walker

Report by Mike de St Croix

2/11/2006 9:07:37 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

A draw recently took place for the 50 Club with the winners as follows:

October 2005

£50   Geoff Green

£25   Mike Powderly

£10   Brady Burdett

November 2005

£50   John Cashmore

£25   Ben Taylor

£10   GOD & Mrs C Hicks

December 2005

£50   Chris Goddard

£25   Dave Rhodes

£10   David Langdon

January 2006

£50   Charlie Bridge

£25   Bob Wood

£10   Alan Cavers

The above winners will contacted shortly.

Membership of the 50 Club costs £4.00 per month payable by standing order.  If you would like to join please email Geoff Green on gjr.green@virgin.net and he will send you a standing order mandate form.

For any prospective members who would like to choose their numbers the following are available:

2, 4, 9, 14, 15, 17, 26, 28, 33 & 47.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT!

                           Posted by: Geoff Green

2/6/2006 4:17:00 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield travelled to Crowborough having narrowly beaten them in a home friendly a month ago and ran out thoroughly convincing winners through their hard working and aggressive pack. Matthew Halls had an outstanding game scoring 5 of the 6 tries scored using his strength and speed.

The scrums were relatively evenly matched but Crowborough were never really allowed to create any phases as Captain Imran Iqbal and Theo Grant in the centres snuffed out any attack. The back row of Greg Salmon, Dayle Hollands and Halls were everywhere and this resulted in the visitors easily containing their Crowborough counterparts.

Once in possession Heathfield rucked exceptionally well keeping the ball for long periods. Hooker Tom Keylock often found himself in midfield and linked well with the backs who all played intelligently.

Second rows Ben Darcy and Jake Tyler put in well over their fair share of tackles and protected the possession well. The distribution of the half backs Will Chipchase and Jeremy Burdett with Elliott Marshall in the second half was also key, as this ensured that the good ball was not wasted.

The first half was evenly contested but Crowborough had used up energy reserves by chasing the game too hard early on and Heathfield - using their substitutes well - ensured dominance throughout. Subs included Larry Platt in the second row and ‘Pudsey’ Pring at Prop, both of whom had aggressive driving games tacking the ball on.

Clever kicks into space behind the defence by wing Peter Phair kept the defence guessing. The backs were loving the glut of possession and it was Grant who scored way out on the left following a fine move, who stopped Halls getting all the scores. Burdett, Salmon and Halls (2) slotted the conversions.

Heathfield travel to Seaford on Sunday for their first friendly between the two clubs.

Report by: U14 Management

2/5/2006 8:25:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Sunday saw Heathfield U16s looking for their first win of a difficult season.  Still to find the most effective line up Heathfield played with a reshuffled Back Row and a new role for the ever-svelte "Dainty" Dom Hodge at  Inside Centre.

The first 5 minutes were anxious ones for Heathfield as Crowborough immediately putting them under pressure from the boot of their Fly Half.  Baz Hunt found himself fielding a long kick from near his own line.  He fielded the ball made 5 metres where Crowborough gave away a penalty, Joseph Salmon put into touch just outside his 22.  

The next 10 minutes were  still played mainly in Heathfield’s half but as the game moved on they started to  believe in themselves and with aggressive running from Sean Dorrill,  Ollie Robertshaw, and Otto Tibbles all 3 leading from the front.   Heathfield forced the game into the Crowborough half giving Sean the chance to run in from 15 metres brushing of the attention of 4 or 5 players and score. The ball bounced off the posts from the conversion.

From the restart Heathfield attacked again with impressive driving mauls from the whole pack but with no real profit.  The rest of the half was played in a crotchety fashion with the both sides niggling at each other.  Anthony Hicks came on at Scrum Half to continue hounding Crowborough's opposite number. Crowborough continued to give Heathfield problems but some great tackling by Josh Jackson kept them at bay. 

After a strong half time talk Heathfield started playing with more direction.  With Dom Hodge taking some flat ball on the charge they were making ground on every attack.  Jake Donebar coming on at wing caught a speculative kick from the Crowborough Fly Half and punted the ball straight back giving Jack Layfield the chance to chase and disrupt.  Heathfield kept up the pressure and moved the ball wide to the left giving Jake the chance to run in for his first try of the season, Joseph slotting the conversion.

Crowborough had to face more of the same pressure and after another 5 minutes of good possession and some fine running from James Baurer.  Good possession was rewarded with Ollie Robertshaw was put through to score the third try with the conversion wide.

The last 5 minutes were played almost entirely in the Heathfield half with Crowborough determined to get on the score sheet. Big tackles were put in from Dave Radford and Lee Keylock with the Heathfield pack working hard for the ball for Joseph to kick clear giving the forwards chance to show their dominance in the lineout.

The final whistle blew as tempers frayed with the tension showing from both sides and Heathfield ran off winners 17 - 0.

The Heathfield Man Of The Match was Lee Keylock who put pressured the Crowborough Scrum Half relentlessly and tackled well above his weight and gave great service to the backs.

Tom "The Chairman"  Flory, Joseph "The Hitman" Salmon, Dan "Mr Bling"  Bird, "Dainty" Dom Hodge, Hussein "The Terminator" Nikoui, Josh  "The Tackle" Jackson, Jonathon "Clarkie"  Clark, Jake  "Shouldn't This Ball Be Round?" Donnebar, Josh "The Giant"  Henry, James  "The Speedster" Baurer, Ollie "That's Not My Dad Baiting The Ref" Robertshaw, Otto "Mine Neither" Tibbles, Tom "Thumb" Rickman, Sean "The Machine"  Dorrill, Baz  "The Mop" Hunt, Lee "The Mouth"  Keylock, Dave "Radders" Radford, Anthony "Mr Versatile" Hicks, Jack "The Beanstalk" Layfield 

Report by Chris Salmon

2/5/2006 5:27:37 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

The Development side are playing away at East Grinstead 3rd's with a 1245 kick-off.

The Boars are at home to Edenbridge 2nd's with a 1245 kick-off.

Posted by Nick Green

2/3/2006 7:15:08 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

This will now take place (at last!) on Saturday 11th February with a 2pm kick-off.

The game is being played as both the league game and cup fixture.

For those that really want to know (with thanks to Will Hole)...

"...the subs rule will be the same as the league. The result at full time will be the league result and the shield result, as long as a team has won.  If it is a draw at full time then the league result will be a draw and the shield will be played into extra time."

I hope that is clear!

Posted by Nick Green

2/3/2006 7:11:16 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)