The first Senior 7's training session takes place next week at the Club, Monday 17th April, at 7pm.

If you would like to play 7's for the Club this year please attend; further sessions are likely to take place leading up to the Uckfield 7's on 30th April.

For more info about playing 7's please contact Dave Jones via the contacts page.

4/11/2006 6:11:49 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Boars

End of Season

Dinner

Your are boaringly invited
to the end of season dinner at
Heathfield and Waldron Rugby Club House

Three course curry dinner
plus port and prize giving
Subject  to numbers additional entertainment may be provided

Friday 21st April 2006 at 7.30pm

Cost £15
Cash up front please so we can buy the swill

Mike MacLeod 07956622925

 or

Steve Lester 07802947013

4/11/2006 8:34:51 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Latest winners are as follows. Drawn by Nick Green.

February 2006

£50 Dave Smith

£25 David Langdon

£10 Paul Jarvis

March 2006

£50 Mike MacLeod

£25 Duncan Hesketh

£10 Geoff Green

To join the 50 Club please email Geoff Green on gjr.green@virgin.net

Winnings will be available from the Club Steward Dave Crowe from this coming Saturday.

4/10/2006 1:00:37 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Heathfield convincing winners in local derby

This local derby match was charged with nostalgia and tension before the game and there was a wonderful festival atmosphere at Cross in Hand for the final League match of the season.  The occasion was blessed with fine weather and supporters of both clubs turned out in force to support their clubs.

For Heathfield their veteran skipper Rob Streeter was leading the Greenies for the last time and popular prop forward Lewis Marshall was also playing his last game before hanging up his boots. Strong running winger Levi Willis is also likely to have played his last 1^st XV league game for Heathfield whose supporters will remember his countless trademark big hits in defence as well as numerous important tries over the years. Uckfield were celebrating their first ever trophy victory,The Sussex Shield, and the start of their 40th birthday campaign.  The Rugby lived up to the occasion especially as far as Heathfield was concerned and the loyal home fans were treated to the side’s best display of the season.

After surviving early pressure on their own line Heathfield gained good ball and Bryn Jones cleared upfield with a huge wind aided punt.  Having established themselves in the Uckfield half Heath were rewarded with a penalty in mid field. Quick thinking by the excellent Lee Vockins from a tapped penalty saw the ball switched to big Jim Cumming who pinned back his ears and charged at great speed like an enraged Rhino in the direction of the try line.  His determination was clear as was the fact that none could or wanted to stop him.  His early try was crucial for his team and put Heathfield 5-0 ahead after 10 minutes. 

Heathfield had started at a furious pace with forwards and backs combining and the pack having by far its best game of the season.  Needless to say skipper Streeter was in the thick of all the action, leading by example and looking more like a skittish twenty year old than a founder club member playing his last game.

The Greenies continued to dominate in every phase and another evergreen youngster Lewis Marshall picked up near the Uckfield line and forced his way over near the posts. His team mates were delighted. Lewis is a great team and club man, quiet and gentle off the field but dynamic on it. He has served Heathfield superbly in the front row and he will be greatly missed.  Surprisingly Bryn Jones missed the conversation but did convert another excellent forwards try by Bruce Pestell a few minutes later. Jones put Heathfield further ahead and into a twenty point lead with a well struck penalty just before half time.

As often happens the superior side on the day also enjoyed a fair degree of luck. Having enjoyed the wind behind them in the first half, Heath were delighted to notice a mellowing of the elements as the teams turned round so that they only faced a light breeze compared with the gale Uckfield had to counter in the first half.

Heathfield brought on their subs at half time and continued to tear into their opponents immediately after the restart.  The Greenies were playing for their skipper, their coach and the pride of their club and there was never any doubt that they were going to win and win well. As Rugby people would say “on the day they wanted it more than their opponents".

Against some spirited defence by Uckfield the home side had to be patient to wait for the try that finally clinched Victory.  When it did come it illustrated just how much Heathfield have improved in the past few weeks under the skilled and patient coaching of Dave Jones.  Good fast second and third phase possession was secured by Heaths splendid pack and the ball was passed down the line.  Unable to burst through the centre to create an overlap ,Guy Woods placed a deft and sweetly struck grubber kick right into the left hand corner, all Sam Thewlis had to do was follow up at speed and fall on the ball to seal a well deserved victory.

Heathfield’s best win of the season was very much a team performance with the entire squad shining on the day.  The tackling was outstanding and the amount of turnover ball achieved was testament to the courage and fitness of Dave Jones’s squad.  The play of younger players like Tom Pritchard and Matt Walker shows great promise for next season while Lee Vockins had his best all round performance for the club at scrum half.  Damien Pestell and Bryn Jones again showed what powerful and skilful three-quarters they are while the experienced Guy Woods proved what a difference he makes to the side when he is injury free. 

Two players stand out as players of the season. Both are back row forwards by choice.  One is ending his 1st XV career and the other should be shining for the club for many years to come .Congratulations to Rob Streeter, who has given so much to Heathfield, and to Bruce Pestell who has played superbly in every league match.  Congratulations also to Coach Dave Jones and to Director of Rugby Mark Hassall.  This was a great day for the Greenies.

Heathfield; Marshall, Burchett (Marchant 40), Evans, Cumming, Streeter, B Pestell, Pritchard, Tonkin, Vockins, Jones, Willis (Walker 40), Woods, D Pestell, Hole (Riley 40), Thewlis

Report by: Mike de St Croix

Hopefully this one went over the Uckfield jumper!

2nd row Jim Cumming and centre Guy Woods come off the pitch.

Club Captain Ian Jenkins congratulates Rob Streeter on the victory.

Bruce Pestell, Rob and Bryn Jones

Rob, Guy and Bryn.

Lewis Marshall and Rob Streeter...

"We're too old for all this..."

Thanks to Debbie Green for the photos

4/8/2006 12:45:04 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Boars Win Decider

A free weekend allowed these two Division 3 east side met for the third time this season only two weeks after their last battle. As the honours had been shared in the regular season this would be the match that settled the 'bragging rights' for the year.

Both sides were missing several regulars but Hellingly seemed to hurt more as they only fielded 13 players until a latecomer turned up at half-time. The Boars decided that it was sporting to leave well alone as Hellingly were due to play down the Waldron slope in the first half and the 'man mountain' Ripley was in their side.

The tone for the afternoon was set at the first scrummage when Heathfield were buckled and pushed back 5 yards on their own put in. Hellingly had brought a real front row to this contest and it showed. Hellingly's early pressure paid off when they scored a converted try after about 10 minutes. This woke the Boars up and Andy Feaver in his first game of senior rugby collected a kick and ran 30 metres before being hauled down. This set up good field position and that pressure led to a try by Guy Ellery. Kenny Lewis hit the post with the conversion attempt.

The Boars then had a period of good play that saw them extend their lead. A maul on the Hellingly 10 metre line saw Mike MacLeod in the unusual role of scrum half get a pass away to Brady Burdett who drew two men to him before offloading to the genuine scrum half, Dave Rhodes, who was moonlighting as a centre. Rhodes ran a lovely angle to break the defensive line and then beat the full back for pace to score near the posts. Lewis converted easily.

About this time the pressure in the scrums took its toll on Steve Lester who went off with a calf injury to be replaced by 64 year old Brian Burdett. For some reason the scrums went uncontested and Brian went to full back with Paul 'What am I meant to do?' Squires trying out as hooker.

After all this fun it was no real surprise when Hellingly levelled the scores when Luke barged 10 metres through several weak tackles to score in the famous 'bottom right hand corner'. This try was not converted and the half ended tied at 12-12.

Heathfield came out the traps very quickly as Hellingly failed to deal with the high restart kick and Guy Ellery nipped in to score his second try which was easily converted by Lewis. Again Hellingly came back with good forward work driving them into the Boars 22-metre line where they were awarded a penalty. A quick tap found the Boars defenders slacking and a gap was found for a converted try to be scored.

Each side scored two more tries and tellingly Kenny Lewis kicked both conversions while his opposite number missed his kicks. Tom Faulkner-Bryant took the first of the Heathfield tries with a strong run past the full back and scored under the posts after Mike Barber had cunningly switched the play back inside.

The best try of the day was saved to last when the 'first time hooker' Paul Squires did what he was told by Brady Burdett and ran an inside line to take Brady's offload and make 22 metres before scoring between the posts. This was Paul's first try since converting from Australian Rules Football less than a year ago. Good on ya Cobber!

So the Boars have the bragging rights and Hellingly have the "If only we had played a full side it would have been different" defensive retort. All in all this was a very good end to a very good series of matches.

Squad - M. MacLeod, A. Sutton, S. Lester (B. Burdett snr - 30), B. Togher , S. Walker, B. Taylor, K. Lewis, T. Faulkner-Bryant, D. Rhodes, B. Burdett, M. Barber, G. Ellery, A. Feaver, M. Gardiner, P. Squires

Report by: Mike MacLeod

Steve Lester goes airborne!

Kenny Lewis lines up a conversion

The teams battle for lineout possession

Boars Kenny Lewis, Paul Squires and Mike MacCleod

Mike MacCleod, Mark Gardiner and Brian Burdett

4/8/2006 12:43:47 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

If anybody has match details of this game, try scorers etc please send through to nick.green@hwrfc.co.uk for inclusion.

4/8/2006 12:42:38 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Boars hold on to win against local rivals

Games against Veterans teams are always difficult to predict. Will you get the really old boys out for a laugh and a beer or those still on the fringes of the first team wanting to prove that they still have what it takes? I am still not sure which this game had but it was fast, furious and drew a reasonable crowd out from the bar.

Stand in Captain Mike MacLeod (trying to make up for his sin binning last week?) won the toss took a look at the size of the opposition and decided to play with the elements in the first half. Right from the off Heathfield applied good pressure, dominated the possession of the ball and began to make ground. The wind and the muddy conditions made it difficult to play fast flowing rugby and it was the forwards on both sides that were doing most of the work. This was playing into the hands of Heathfield's experienced back row trio who worked hard to carry the ball, give quick ball to scrum half Ben Taylor and deny quick ball to Uckfield.

The first 15 minutes were fought mainly in the Uckfield half and the Boars gained the first score when Jim Cummings popped up in midfield on the 22 metre line and brushed off several attempted tackles to score next to the posts. Burdett kicked the conversion and the Boars smiled.

Everyone knew that this would not be enough so it was back to work. Heathfield applied heavy pressure and Uckfield defended well and tried hard to use any ball they won. Heathfield were awarded several penalties on or around the Uckfield 22 metre line. Having tried a couple of times to kick for position only to lose the resultant lineout Heathfield changed to a tapped penalty. Tom Faulkner-Bryant took the ball and he made 10 metres before being dragged down, the ball was then taken on by Tony Wates and he was stopped about 4 metres out. From the base of the maul Mike MacLeod picked up and drove low over the line for his first ever try after a 47-year wait. Burdett missed the conversion so the Boars had a 12-0 lead.

Things went from good to better when Rory Burchett made 7 metres and barged over between the posts after more good forward play. Burdett kicked the conversion to take the score to 19-0 and the boars felt more comfortable. This comfort turned to sloppiness as Uckfield took advantage of a spell of poor tackling to score a try. Awarded a penalty 10 metre out Uckfield surprised the Boars defenders by passing it wide and the inside centre touched down just as the covering tackles came in. the conversion kick was missed and the referee blew for half time. Heathfield hoped that 19-5 would be enough of a lead to take into a difficult second period against the elements.

Uckfield made several changes of personnel at half time and with the wind at their backs proceeded to rattle Heathfield. The scrums had been under Heathfield domination now turned into a real battleground and Uckfield gained more possession. For the first 15 minutes of this half Heathfield lost confidence and were punished twice. The first time was when a penalty was awarded to Uckfield 15 metres out. Heathfield failed to line up the defence and the first ball carrier burst through one of the gaps left to score a converted try. The second was well worked by the Uckfield forwards who wore down the Heathfield defence and broke through to score under the points. The conversion was easy and the score was 19-19 with 20 minutes to go. At this point it looked like the Boars might fragment and lose heavily.

However Man of the Match Tony Wates then scored with a bizarre solo effort when he chased a clearance kick, worried the full back into dropping the ball and then twice kicked and chased towards the Uckfield line. As Wates and the Uckfield full back rushed to be first to touchdown the ball leapt into Tony's arm like a long lost lover and the points were scored. This lifted the Boars spirits and the fighting spirit returned.

The next 15 minutes were hard work for every member of the Boars. Everyone in both teams tackled, ran and kicked as if this was a match with more than pride at stake. Heathfield had to defend three 5 metre scrums and were very fortunate to survive each of them. Brady Burdett put in some excellent clearance kicks to gain some yards and win some breathing space.

As the referee called the last play of the game Uckfield had a scrum on halfway. They won the ball and chose to kick and chase. Simon Hollingsdale had the sun and wind to contend with but managed to kick the ball off the park to raise the final whistle and a Boars cheer of victory and relief.

The Boars can confirm that the beer tastes very good after a hard fought victory like this one.

Squad - M. MacLeod (Capt), A. Sutton, R. Burchett, J. Cummings, S. Walker, T. Wates, N. Sohail (M. Bernhauser - 60), T. Faulkner-Bryant, B. Taylor, B. Burdett, M. Barber, C. Jaques, W. Harris (P. Squires - 40) S. Hollingsdale, K. Davis

Report by: Mike MacLeod

4/1/2006 7:16:36 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Invitations to this year’s tournament have been sent out to the usual suspects e.g. The Bugle, The Crown (Newick), The George (Frant).

Entries are also anticipated from The Crown Kids (Heathfield), Blackboys, Woody’s, Gay Cavaliers and Gay Highlights but we need confirmed applications from team organisers as soon as possible.

We will be happy to accept teams from any local hostelries.   If you would like to enter a team please contact Philip Bell or Paul Jarvis - £25 entry fee.

Do you have any comments about how the competition operates?

Do you like pools of three or four?  Or would you like it to be all knockout with first round losers going into a plate?

Is ten minutes each way too long?  Too short?

Contact Philip Bell  07949 574 588  or bell_philip@yahoo.com

If anybody has any pictures of the tournament from years gone by they would like to accompany this article please email them to nick.green@hwrfc.co.uk for inclusion.

3/29/2006 1:02:20 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

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)