Boars triumph in local derby match

The Boars played their last league match of the season against local rivals Hellingly and were hungry to avenge their defeat in the reverse fixture earlier in the early season.

Hellingly had the advantage of the breeze in the first half and put in several long kicks early on. However they had an early warning that kicks had to find touch or Heathfield would run it straight back at them when young Chris Jaques collected a kick and made 25 metres before he was brought down.

The first try came after 10 minutes when the Boars forwards secured loose ball on the right and Dave Rhodes put quick ball to the backs. It was fed swiftly down the back line with ground being made all the time. When it reached winger Chris Jaques he was held by the last defender but had the presence of mind to pass to outside centre Mike Barber who had looped round. Barber had time to cover the last 15 metres and then touch down near enough the posts for Lewis to kick the conversion.

At this stage Heathfield were playing some of their best rugby of the season with the forwards hunting together and the backs passing fluidly and making plenty of ground. Hellingly were being kept in the game by good tackling and some big defensive kicks that relieved the pressure. So it was no surprise when the Boars extended their lead at the 25-minute mark. It was that man Barber who again put the finishing touches to some excellent play when he took a pass on the 22 metre line and ran an excellent line that took him past his opposite number and through the fullbacks tackle to score. Kenny Lewis converted to take the score to 14-0.

Rather than push on for the win Heathfield seemed to stop working and this let Hellingly back into the match. Hellingly were awarded a penalty about 10 metres out and worked a set move that had big prop Riply jinking like an oiltanker (surrounded by tugs) before crashing over the line. Hellingly missed the kick making the score 14-5 but leaving the game back in the balance.

Hellingly then enjoyed their best period of possession and continued to press the Heathfield line. This was made even more impressive as Heathfield continued to dominate the scrums with hooker Andy Sutton taking a several strikes against the head. However Hellingly failed to convert this pressure into points and were made to pay when Chris Jaques came off his wing during broken play to take a pass just outside the Hellingly 22 and broke a couple of weak tackles before scoring between the posts. This was the last serious action of the first half and another Lewis conversion left the half time score at 21-5.

The game continued in the same vein after the restart with Heathfield looking the more dangerous in open play and Hellingly using their forwards well in the maul. After 15 minutes of effort but no points Heathfield made more changes with Simon Hollingsdale, returning from injury, unlucky not to make an immediate impact with a 25 yards charge up his wing before being bundled into touch 5 yards out. This set up a period of Boars pressure that ended with Seb Jones finishing off a sweeping move by scoring a try in the corner that Lewis failed to convert.

With 15 minutes left the game was back in the balance as Hellingly refused to accept that the game was over, came back strongly and gained their reward when their youngest player, Callum Forsyth, drove over the try line after repeated forward drives had worn down the Boars defence.

More spice was added with 8 minutes left when Mike MacLeod was shown the yellow card for being offside at a ruck. MacLeod was further shamed by the realisation that he was the first ever Boar to be so disciplined.

Hellingly tried their best to capitalise on their numerical advantage but Heathfield survived to take the victory 26-10.

Mike Barber and Chris Jaques were candidates for man of the match and Barber won by the simple fact of still being in the bar when the award was announced and the 'last man standing' ruling was invoked.

Squad - M. MacLeod, A. Sutton, S. Lester (J. Geesin - 50), P. Hookway, B. Taylor (B. Togher - 15),S. Walker, K. Lewis (A. Benjamin), T. Faulkner-Bryant, D. Rhodes, B. Burdett, A. Farrell (S. Jones - 40), M. Barber (N. Sands - 60), P. Squires (S. Hollingsdale - 60), C. Jaques, P. Fitzgerald (K. Davis - 50)

Report by: Mike MacLeod

3/25/2006 11:27:35 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

So bad were the conditions that this Sussex 1 match could be described as either a "Mist" fixture or a “virtual event”.  A heavy sea fret came down just before kick off and the full pitch was rarely visible to spectators or players. In the circumstances both sides and the referee are to be commended for both starting and completing the match.

The details of the game are that Hastings with a heavy pack and sound half backs exerted pressure from the start and were rewarded with an early score after a driving maul.  They added to their lead with a penalty in front of the posts after 8 minutes.  Heathfield missed one scoring opportunity in the first half after Matt Walker was given space out wide after a fine passing movement involving all the backs and featuring a good running line and well timed pass by Will Drinkwater who was making a rare but very welcome appearance for the Greenies.  Heath competed well and defended stoutly against a strong Hastings performance and deserved to still be in touch at half time.

The second half saw the home side double their score with a well worked try out wide, completed by their competent scrum half and another penalty under the posts. 

Your correspondent saw enough of the play to be able to confirm that the Heathfield revival is on the roll.  Against a stronger team their defence was impressive and they competed in every phase especially at the breakdown. 

It was not the day for picking out individuals but experience shone through with Skipper Streeter leading by example and Guy Woods showing his all round skills throughout. Time and again Hastings were thwarted by the hits of Guy and Bryn Jones working in harmony.  The Pestell brothers had their customary good games and Lee Vockins showed what a valuable player he is against tough opposition.  Overall it was another encouraging display.

Report by: Mike de St Croix

3/25/2006 9:52:48 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

In their last league fixture of the season, before leaving for Paris on their Easter Tour, Heathfield took the game to the visitors right from the off. Playing in very windy conditions the backs found it difficult to give accurate passes especially into the wind but as both sides got used to the conditions, the play improved.

The home team pinned Hastings down in their own 22 and from good hands down the back line, wing Peter Phair got within 2 yards of scoring. From an ensuing maul, it was hooker Tom Keylock who drove over for the opening score. Minutes later from a scrum, half back Will Chipchase made a break fed to Jeremy Burdett, through centres Imran Iqbal and Theo Grant before feeding to wing Nic Evans. His top gear screamed him around the outside to score a wonderful try.

The momentum firmly with Heathfield, a surging run by flanker Larry Platt set up a ruck, the clearing out particularly by Ollie Hancock and Jake Tyler was strong and it was 2nd row Ben Darcy who drove over for the third try. Heathfield’s full back Alex Scott returned any clearance kicks with interest and had a sound game throughout.

The half ended 15-0 and at this point Heathfield were possibly too overconfident as Hastings came straight back as their fly-half made a break and fed on to the full back to pull a try back. Soon after Heathfield managed to put together some pressure of their own, forcing Hastings to concede a penalty, which Greg Salmon duly converted.

The Heathfield backs started to show their paces as centre Grant then used his size and pace to burst through several would-be tacklers to score. Hastings then kicked long using the strong wind and from a lineout Heathfield were unable to control the tapped ball and the visitors flanker secured possession to score which was well converted from wide out.

Man of the match Larry Platt then took the ball from close to the half way line and burst up the field unstoppable to score a fine solo try to wrap up the game.

Report by: U14 Management

3/19/2006 3:19:42 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

As of today there is just one senior fixture at the weekend, away against Crowborough Vets.

Kick-off is 2pm to allow plenty of time to return and watch England vs Ireland if people want to put themselves through it!

3/15/2006 12:53:37 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield & Waldron’s 1^st XV gained another victory in the latest match of their Sussex One campaign.  As has been mentioned in previous weeks the rugby produced by the side continues to improve with in particular the running and creativity shown by the backs being unrecognisable from that displayed earlier in the season.  Although there was lots of good play little mistakes let the side down on occasions, often after a difficult break had been made, only for the final pass to be put behind the supporting player or indeed to no one at all.

Heathfield’s first try came from outside centre Mike Hole who continues to be a dangerous and lively presence with his darting runs.  His centre partner Damien Pestell added the sides second after the ball had been passed well down the line for him to score in the corner with the conversion being added by fly-half Bryn Jones to make the half-time score 12-5.

Guy Woods made a welcome return to the 1^st XV and he was a reassuring figure at fullback with his typical powerful runs and solid defence.  Woods made the score 17-5 in the second half as he entered the line at pace in the Seaford 22 with again the conversion unfortunately not being added.

Damien Pestell scored his second try to make the final score 22-12 to Heathfield who have two remaining league fixtures to fulfil this season, against Uckfield and Hastings.

Notable performances in the backs came from Bryn Jones, Damien Pestell and Mike Hole while in the forwards Bruce Pestell again impressed with countless tackles. Rob Streeter was his typical self in the lineout which was solid throughout with good throwing by Chris Jones.

Heathfield: Marshall, C Jones, Evans, Cumming, Streeter, B Pestell, Pritchard (Burchett), Tonkin, Walker, B Jones, Bayley, D Pestell, Hole, Willis (Slay) Woods, Sub unused: Marchant

Report by: Nick Green

3/11/2006 2:37:41 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

There is a buffet lunch prior to the Seaford game this Saturday from 1230 onwards for all VP's and their guests.

Please come and support the Club!

3/8/2006 3:54:40 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield had so many chances in the 1st half to kill the game off and Eastbourne had two close attempts at scoring in either corner, in the second half, that in the end a draw was probably a fair result. It was a first return to their old club for Ben Darcy and Elliott Marshall so the game was very important for them.

Playing uphill in the 1st half Heathfield took the game to the home side and squandered chance after chance through selfish play, poor handling and resolute defence. The breakthrough had to come eventually and it was off fourth phase when the ball was recycled once again. Fly half Jeremy Burdett's miss pass found flanker Dayle Hollands darted in at the corner. Heathfield normally command at scrum time but found the Eastbourne pack a handful and honours were even. The lineout was fairly contested also, but it was Heathfield’s back row once again that gave the visitors the edge. Matt Halls made good ground with his carrying but his teamates were unable to support him so many attacks petered out. Captain Imran Iqbal was like a man possessed tackling anything in an opposition shirt.  Wing Peter Phair tackling also caught the eye and went close to scoring but the pass was dropped. A fantastic move saw a lovely timed pass from Campbell Lacey find prop Shrek Watkins on the crash ball and he gained 20 yards.

The half ended with Heathfield holding onto a narrow lead and the visiting support expected more as they now played downhill with the wind. However, it was Eastbourne who had the fiery start and began to put some good runs together and nearly scored had their winger not just taken out the corner flag. Heathfield’s impact player Larry Platt came on and began to create havoc within the Eastbourne forwards. Full back Alex Scott made a lovely break through the middle of the Eastbourne defence but he was eventually dragged down.

The tackle of the day went to Heathfield’s hooker Tom Keylock who completely stopped the Eastbourne centre in his tracks as he was driving to the line.

Steadily the home team regained control and the pressure began to mount. With only 5 minutes remaining Eastbourne burst down the touchline and scored right in the corner. They could have won the game a minute later had it not been for a try saving tackle by wing Kyle van Rinsberg.

The match was superbly refereed and the spectators commented on the thoroughly exciting and thrilling game they had watched.

Report by U14 Management 

3/5/2006 1:04:08 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)