Heathfield opened their 2006/2007 league season with an emphatic win over Edenbridge (playing in the Sussex Leagues for the first time), in a well fought game on the Cross in Hand pitch.

Heathfield started their scoring with a well-taken try from Ed Koops (his first league try for the club), which was closely followed by a fine individual try from prop Fraser Goatcher.

A further try by No.8 Alex Lester, for the home side ensured that Heathfield still held an 8-point advantage after an Edenbridge try and conversion.

The Heathfield forwards worked extremely well in both the set pieces and the rucks and mauls winning most of the ball to ensure that they continued to press home their advantage.

Good play by scrumhalf Rikki Zeitlin always ensured that Heathfield’s backs kept Edenbridge busy. Inside centre Jack Warren did some darting runs into the opponents half, with good support play coming from Alex Robbins, Owen Lewis and Caspian Kingdon.

Stand-off Oli Stables had a quieter game than normal but still managed to run in four tries, and his intelligent kicking over the Edenbridge backs helped to maintain the home side’s advantage.

Three further tries by Fraser Goatcher brought his tally to 4, the last one coming from a fine solo run by Ed Koops following an Edenbridge kick-off; the 2nd row forward ran from his own 10 metre line well into the opponents 22 before off-loading a fine pass to Fraser Goatcher, who was in close support, and who ran over the line to score.

A try from Caspian Kingdon, outside centre, and conversions from Jack Warren and fullback Freddie Long gave the home team a well-earned result.

11/5/2006 5:17:00 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

A determined Heathfield squad set out by bus for Bognor Regis looking to put right their lacklustre performance against Hove the week before. And put it right they did. The Bognor side contained four U16 players and looked large and menacing as a result. The opening skirmishes were tightly contested with Bognor holding the advantage in the lineouts and Heathfield the scrums. At halftime Heathfield held a narrow 15-5 lead which could well have been less.

Heathfield’s superior power in the forwards and their pace in the backs took its toll in the second half and an increasingly dispirited Bognor leaked five unanswered tries. The try scorers for Heathfield were Dayle Hollands with two (one from inside his 22), Nic Evans with 2 with his trademark sidesteps and gliding running, Callum Bridges, a new recruit at second row with his first for the club, Callum May from an excellent blindside pop from Will Chipchase, Oli Hancock with one of his thunderous 10 metre drives from a penalty and Ashley Sutton with a powerful burst down the narrowest of channels. Four conversions were slotted – 1 each by Jeremy Burdett and Greg Salmon, and 2 by Peter Phair. All in all an impressive result by a rejuvenated team

11/5/2006 5:15:07 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

On what turned out to be a glorious day for rugby in front of a packed home crowd (well one man and his dog, oh and Sleeders mum) Heath continued there run of good results in the league.

In all Heath ran in 7 tries, Jim Cummings started it off in the corner and also bagged another on in the second half, Matt Skinner also bagged his usual brace as well as 2 conversions.  Jack Bayley and Ben Woods also got a try each, this being the first of many we hope for young Ben in the league, oh and Julian managed a stroll under the posts in the second half [I'll gladly tell you all about this try in the bar if any of you are interseted!].

During a lack of concentration Heath conceded a try a conversion but all in all dominated possession throughout the game and played attractive running rugby.  The new policy of rotating the kicking duties (this is based on who is closest to the ball after each try) also resulted in conversions for Chris English and Jaimie Marchant.  After an excellent display in the tight and the loose with 2 excellent tries from sweeping attacking moves Jim Cummings was given man of the match.

Great report Shaun, whatever anyone else thinks I think it was well worth the wait!

11/5/2006 8:58:25 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Report by Mike de St Croix

11/4/2006 10:08:53 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

The Boars continued their winning run in a vital match at East Grinstead. The Boars went into the game as league leaders knowing that the top 6 teams were playing each other and a win would establish their credentials.

After a slightly nervous warm up the Boars came out fast and hit East Grinstead hard from the start. Grinstead were strong in the forwards but Heathfield matched them and after only 5 minutes score with a well worked back move finished off with a strong run by winger Hollingdale. Lewis kicked the conversion

The Boars were passing the ball with confidence and asking questions of the Grinstead defence. This produced more points when Hollingdale popped a lovely pass to Rhodes as he was tackled. Rhodes made more ground and as the cover defence came to him passed to Cook who scored. Lewis missed the conversion.

The game then entered an evenly balanced phase with neither side making the best of their chances and defences on top. This was ended when the Boars made inroads into the Grinstead 22 and a defensive pass went to ground and Sharp was alert enough to kick the ball over the try line and win the footrace to score. Lewis missed the conversion kick.

Heathfield then weathered some Grinstead pressure before countering with a nice try from Barber after good work from Farrell to draw the defence to him. This was the last score of the half and the teams turned round at 0-24 in favour of the Boars.

Grinstead came out in the second half with a lot more determination and worked hard to dominate in the forwards. They received their reward when scrum half Charlie Brown collected a ball from a scrum, darted past Burdett and over to score.

The game turned back the way of Heathfield when Grinstead seemed to be making progress at a maul Jono Sharp suddenly emerged with the ball and made 20 yards before being hauled down. The Boars support was quickest to arrive and once again it was Cook in the right place to score. Cook went on to convert his own try.

East Grinstead was the next to score by putting huge pressure on a Boars scrum and as the Boars back row pushed in to help Grinstead  went right and James Pennington carried the ball over to score a converted try.

However the Boars would not leave it there and had the final score when the ball was recycled several time before being fed out to substitute John Long who scored with his first touch of the ball. This brought the game to a close at 12-36 and another win made sure that the Boars remained top of the league for another week.

Man of the match for the Boars was a clear and easy decision. Dave Cook won it for his classy display at number 8.

Boars Team – M. MacLeod (Walker – 70), J. La Roche, J. Geesin (A. Sutton – 40), P. Hookway, T. Rose, J. Sharp, K. Lewis (G. Robinson – 60), D. Cook, B. Taylor, B. Burdett, A. Farrrell, M. Barber, M. McDonald (J. Long - 65), S. Hollingdale (B. O’Neil - 60), D. Rhodes

Report by Mike MacLeod

11/4/2006 11:35:00 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield Boars 54 vs St Francis 2’s 7

The Boars went into this match with confidence high having scored 24 tries in their last 4 matches but aware that St Francis would provide stiff opposition. A significant factor in the recent run of results has been the amount of ball won by the forwards which has then been used well by the backs and this again proved the difference in this match.

The first 10 minutes of the match were evenly fought with both sides testing each other out. The onus was on the Boars as they had the advantage of the Waldron slope in this half and St Francis knew that a close score at half time would favour them.

Heathfield got the break they wanted about 15 minutes into the game when rookie winger Matt McDonald got the ball in space on the St Francis 10 metre line and out paced the defence to score in the left hand corner. Kenny Lewis set the standard of kicking for the afternoon by converting a difficult kick.

The next try was well worked and well taken. A ruck on the halfway line was won by Heathfield and a surprised Joe Geesin found himself acting as scrum half and passed to his equally surprised fellow prop Mike MacLeod at stand off. The ball then went rapidly down the line [bouncing along the floor if I remember correctly!] and Adam Farrell drew the last defender to him and offloaded to Matt McDonald to finish the move. Lewis missed a difficult conversion attempt.

Instead of motivating the Boars this stirred St Francis to greater effort and they applied sustained pressure for the next 15 minutes. The Boars defence coped well but Heathfield could not seem to get much time in their opponents half. With half time rapidly approaching the Boars seemed likely to be facing a long, hard, uphill battle to defend a two try advantage during the second half.

The game altered on two moments of individual brilliance. First the Boars were awarded a penalty on the St Francis 5 metre line; Dave Cook took a quick tap and charged at the gathering defence guessing rightly that they had not yet set themselves. He dragged two defenders over the line with him to score in the corner. Lewis kicked another difficult conversion from near the touchline.

Next up was Adam Farrell who used all his experience to wrong foot defenders 3 times [you mean he slipped] as he scored between the posts at the end of a 30 metre run. Lewis again converted to take the score to 26-0 at half time.

The halftime score flattered Heathfield and the team talk was about maintaining concentration and keeping things simple. This worked well as the Boars weathered the early pressure and countered after 10 minutes with a superb solo effort from Jack Bayley. Jack gathered the ball from a ruck just inside his own half and darted this way and that through a bemused St Francis defence to score between the posts. Kenny Lewis converted once again.

St Francis continued to play to their forward strength but the Boars were able to hold them and make ground through their backs. After another 10 minutes this led to a scrum on the St Francis 5 yard line being well won by the Heathfield pack and Dave Cook executed a classic number 8 pick up and drive to score his second try. Both teams then made a few substitutions and the game became less fluent and the St Francis pack started to win more ball at the set pieces.  

Even under this increased pressure Heathfield managed to fashion another two scores. First wild eyed winger Simon Hollingdale (who had been a threat all match) danced along the right touchline, just staying the correct side of the line while under pressure from two defenders, and then broke free to score between the posts. Dave Rhodes kicked the simple conversion. Then Julian Wates showed his strength and determination by ignoring a 2 man overlap [hmmm, I was bored with everyone else having all the fun...] to carry two defenders over the line with him from 5 metres out and again Rhodes kicked the conversion.

St Francis finally gained the reward of a score with the final move of the game. At a scrum on the Heathfield five metre line the St Francis pack pushed a fragmenting Boars scrum backwards and Matt Jeeter was first to react and he pounced on the ball as it crossed the Boars line. Jeeter went on to convert his own try and bring up the final score of 54-7.

Praise must go to St Francis for the way they played the game and kept going all through the match. The one sided score line reflects the clinical finishing of the Boars [hmmm interesting!] in a match where most things went right for the home side. The semi final of the Sussex Salver takes place on the 18th of November.

Man of the match for the Boars was close between Dave Cook, Jack Bayley and Matt McDonald. The award went to Jack Bayley as he was always there when needed and dangerous on the break.

[Its fun adding comments to your report Mike, I think I should create an alternative report every week - :)]

Boars Team – Mike MacLeod, Jason La Roche (Chris Ambrosino – 60), Joe Geesin (Bob Togher – 40), John Parsons (Rob Streeter – 55), Tony Rose, Mike Brown (Ben Taylor - 60), Kenny Lewis (Tony Wates – 65), Dave Cook, Jack Bayley, Duncan Hesketh, Julian Wates, Adam Farrell (Rob Such – 65), Matt McDonald, Simon Hollingdale (Mike Barber – 65), Dave Rhodes
 

10/31/2006 12:18:43 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Report by Mike de St Croix

Heathfield return to half-way following Paul Flood's (8) 2nd try

10/31/2006 11:19:25 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Despite appalling weather conditions a large crowd gathered at Cross in Hand to watch the Heathfield and Waldron Under 13s take on local rivals Hellingly in the first League encounter of the season.

All the hard work in training started to pay off as Heathfield took control of the game from the first whistle. Much of the first quarter was spent on the Hellingly 22 metre line

but despite creating numerous chances they could not turn them into points. Eventually the breakthrough came when the Heathfield pack drove for the line with some very dynamic rucking from the two Sams, Keylock and Saunters which forced an infringement from Hellingly. Full Back Matthew Barber stepped up and coolly slotted the penalty.

This lifted the Heathfield spirits and forwards and backs enjoyed a spell of territory and possession during which they played some of their best rugby of the season so far. Half back pairing Ollie Kent and David Bayly combined well and provided an excellent platform for the centres to attack with both Andrew Horsfall-Turner and captain Toby Warren making some strong and very direct runs through the Hellingly defence it looked like only a matter of time before one of them would score.

Yet Heathfield seemed to make hard work of it and as much as the forwards dominated they held onto the ball just a little too long and the final scoring pass eluded them. Relief came on the stroke of half time when a quick ball from the base of the scrum allowed fly half  David Bayly to run one of the club moves, dummying to his inside centre and executing a well timed switch with Toby Warren who burst straight through three tackles to score in the corner. Barber added the conversion from a tight angle and as the teams turned round for the second half Heathfield started to relax a little and play a more controlled game.

Hellingly came back strongly in the opening stages of the second half and their front five made some strong surges through the middle of the pitch which Heathfield did well to contain. The home side were clearly very determined not to let their opponents back into it and the backs in particular showed maturity as they handled the ball extremely well in the wet conditions. Full back Barber showed how to turn defence into attack as he cleanly took a high ball in his own half and opened up the play by cutting through the Helljngly midfield with a jinking run which stopped just short of the try line. In the ruck which followed powerhouse prop Bruno Halit was unstoppable as he took a quick pop pass and smashed through from five metres out. Barber again converted to create an unassailable lead.

In the closing stages it looked as though the floodgates would open as the Heathfield backs created numerous chances but to their immense credit Hellingly kept going and tackled their hearts out right to the final whistle.. Flanker George Wardle almost crowned an excellent performance with a try but the referee judged  a double movement in grounding the ball on the line.

All round an excellent first league win with particularly fine performances from newcomers Daniel Halls and Oscar Lacey and a welcome return to the fold for Ben Smith. The man of the match award went to Matthew Barber for his all round game and excellent kicking display in the difficult conditions.

Report by Mike Barber

10/22/2006 8:45:04 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Next weekend two of our sides are in Cup action.

The 1st XV are home to Park House in the National Powergen Vase and the Boars are playing  St Francis 2nd XV in the quarter-final of the Sussex Shield.

Hopefully there will be good cause to celebrate in the bar afterwards!

10/22/2006 8:41:11 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Having lost their first three league matches by narrow margins, Heathfield hit top gear in front of a full house at Cross in Hand and played some scintillating rugby in windy conditions to defeat newly promoted Plumpton . Heath’s problem in their early games had been a lack of power up front which resulted in their fast and skilful backs lacking a platform to show their considerable talents. With the inclusion of extra weight in the front and second rows the Greenies backs, brilliantly led by skipper Bryn Jones, received good possession and ran in some superb tries. The three wingers used, Joe Riley, Levi Willis and Seb Jones scored two tries each and Bryn Jones scored one and kicked five conversions. Only the first try was scored by a forward which gives an indication of what a fast and open game the home side played.

Heathfield opened the scoring after just five minutes when Bruce Pestell broke loose inside Plumpton`s half. After one of his characteristic surges he received support from Jim Cumming who used his speed and strength to cross the try line. Before the crowd had time to catch their breath the forwards broke away again with Rob Lawrence linking with Dan Hunter-Evans who showed excellent running and handling skills before delivering a scoring pass to winger Joe Riley. Joe scored again a few minutes later after Damien Pestel made an opening to feed Sam Thewlis coming into the line. Once again the try hungry Riley finished with clinical precision.

Such is the strength of the Heathfield squad that Coach Dave Jones was able to introduce fresh players in the second half. The forwards continued to dominate their opponents and outplayed them at the breakdown and in the loose. Lee Vockins was an excellent link at scrum half and Bryn Jones was quite outstanding at No 10. His kicking was of the highest quality and, as is becoming customary, he scored another fine try. Seb Jones showed his speed and finishing capability by running in two tries under the posts and Levi Willis, who did not touch the ball in the first half delighted his considerable fan club by demolishing his opposite number to open his scoring account. The lead up to this score came from the backs, with Guy Woods and Damien Pestell prominent, moving the ball down the line in the sure knowledge that if Levi has only one man to brush aside a score is a formality.

Although the backs gave a splendid display of running and handling it is worth recording that two of the heavier Greeny forwards showed impressive power and skill in their ball carrying. Big Jim Cumming has delighted the Heathfield faithful for some years now and he had a fine match. But one of the most encouraging features of the afternoon was the performance of Dan Hunter-Evans who is learning the special skills of propping rapidly while showing us what a talented player he can be in open play. His running and handling skills for a big man are exceptional and there is no doubt that these two big fellows along with their forward colleagues contributed heartily to what was a terrific team performance. Providing Heathfield can win sufficient good ball in all phases there is no reason why they cannot feature amongst the leaders in Sussex 1.On Saturday they entertain old rivals Park House, one of the top teams in Kent Div 1 in the Powergen Vase. The kick off will be at2.30 at Cross in Hand.

Heathfield: Hunter-Evans, Lawrence, Burchett (Douglas), Cumming, Tonkin, Pritchard, B Pestell, Flood (Streeter), Vockins, B Jones, Willis, Woods, D Pestell, Riley (S Jones), Thewlis

Report by Mike de St Croix

10/21/2006 2:02:18 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

The Boars went into this match with a team much altered from the previous two weeks but with confidence high. The Boars are trying to increase the numbers of players available and this seems to be working as 22 players assembled including 3 trialists in John Parsons, Gavin Robinson and Rob Such. John Parsons confessed to having been a Crowborough player in the past but the Boars promised to protect him.

Another sun splashed kick-off saw Heathfield start well and begin to dominate the scrums and at the breakdown. The lineouts were another matter due to an inconsistent delivery by Heathfield and excellent jumping by the Crowborough number 7.

This platform led to four unanswered first half Heathfield tries. The first well taken by Brady Burdett who went right, Hesketh offered an option inside and Mike Barber another outside and as happened so often in the past Burdett sold the dummy and went straight through the middle.

Heathfield’s next try was made in the forwards. At a scrum 15 metres out stalwart props MacLeod and Geesin provided the platform for number 8 Ben Taylor to drive off the base of the scrum and beat the covering defence to score. Lewis converted to take the score to 12-0. The third try was a solo effort from Mike Barber as he burst past his opposite number around the 22 metre line and ran through the Crowborough full back to score. Lewis also converted this to take the score to 19-0.

The final try of the half was vintage Burdett as a flamboyant Brady sold 3 dummies, one after another as he virtually ambled through the midfield. His fellow Boars take plenty of credit for offering the options that allowed him to circumnavigate the Crows defence.

So the whistle blew for half time with the score at 24-0 and the Boars seemed to relax and consider the match won. Not so! Crowborough came out full of fight and for 20 minutes dominated the match in all phases scoring two tries in the process and converting one of these. At 24-12 there was a palpable nervousness about the Boars as they fended off several bouts of Crowborough pressure.

Then the pendulum swung back towards Heathfield. The Boars scrum started to function again as debutant prop (ex hooker) Andy Sutton found the measure of his opposite number. This platform helped calmed the nerves and these were banished after a flowing move led to a try. The Boars scrum pushed Crowborough off their own ball and passed left through hands to debutant centre Rob Such. Such thought about going for glory himself but sensibly drew the tackle and offloaded to winger Simon Hollingdale who went over to score. The final score of the match came when Burdett drew the Crowborough defence too him and actually passed (rather than dummied) to a triumphant Mike Barber who had a relatively simple task of sprinting 10 metres to score.

Man of the match for the Boars was close between Mike Barber, Brady Burdett and Tony Rose. The award went to Mike Barber as it was his first game for the team this season. Barber also won the ‘drink off’ when the Crowborough man of the match showed he was Jelly by name and jelly by nature when he baulked at the pickled egg.

Boars Team – Mike MacLeod, Jason La Roche, Joe Geesin (Andy Sutton – 50), John Parsons, Tony Rose, Simon Walker (Ben O’Neil -50), Kenny Lewis, Ben Taylor (Gavin Robinson – 60), Dick Chapman, Brady Burdett, Duncan Hesketh (Adam Farrrell – 50), Mike Barber, Simon Hollingdale, Keith Davies (Rob Such -40), Dave Rhodes, Unused Subs -Paul Hookway, Guy Ellery.

Report by Mike MacLeod

10/14/2006 10:47:57 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

A missed opportunity.

On a dry, fine day with a variable breeze, both teams started this game without a win in the league this year and both demonstrated a lack of confidence in their play.

Unusually the first half was scoreless and it was during this period that Heathfield should have scored several times.  East Grinstead were only able to break out of their own half for one short passage of play following a big kick out of defence.  For the rest of the time Heathfield were camped in the right part of the pitch and they had several opportunities but always came up just short of the line or, on the most glaring occasion, managed to spurn a three man overlap.  While giving credit to East Grinstead for their defensive qualities, Heathfield are suffering from what some describe as ‘tryline fever’.

Initially lineouts were relatively even: quick short ball at the front worked well for Heathfield with Rob Lawrence being caught close to the line on one occasion.  The scrummage was under some pressure and Paul Flood did remarkably well in tidying up difficult situations at the base of the scrum as well as having an excellent combative game in the loose.  Jim Cumming, Rob Lawrence and Damien Pestell all caught the eye making good ground.

The second half started brightly again for Heathfield with Seb Jones being bundled into touch in the corner.  However a few minutes later the East Grinstead three-quarters worked a move in the centre and scored in the left-hand corner, although missing the conversion.  This allowed East Grinstead to build in confidence: they had a period of pressure without really threatening the line and gradually Heathfield worked their way back down the pitch for Bryn Jones to work a bit of individual magic and score by the posts.  For some reason the kicking tee could not be found but Jo Reilly coolly dropped the goal (this is the same Jo Riley from previous reports – apologies for the earlier mis-spelling) to make it 5-7.

With twenty minutes to go it was anyone’s game and neither set of supporters could feel confident.  The Heathfield lineout was misfiring and the scrummage was under more pressure but in the loose the green shirts were still doing well.  The ref now had to speak to the captains to cool tempers but it was not a dirty game generally.  Mike Hole came for Guy Woods in the centre and made a couple of excellent tackles.  Birthday boy Levi Willis also made a cameo appearance in the second-row.

In the last few minutes Heathfield could have played more conservatively in order to run down the clock.  Neither side was looking very likely to score when well into stoppage time Heathfield conceded a penalty some thirty yards out.   This was the only penalty kicked at goal all day but the East Grinstead kicker made no mistake with the last kick of the game.  The home team and supporters were delighted and relieved while Heathfield could only rue the missed opportunity.

Report by: Phil Bell

10/14/2006 1:15:56 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

April 2006

£50 - Steve Sherlock

£25 - Mike Brown

£10 - Rob Streeter

May 2006

£50 – Julian Wates

£25 – Chris Goddard

£10 – God

June 2006

£50 – Dave Cooley

 

£25 – Paul Wilson

 

£10 – Mike de St Croix

 

 

July 2006

 

 

£50 – Dave Rhodes

 

£25 – Tony Flint

 

£10 – Peter Mercer

 

 

August 2006

 

 

£50 – Paul Jarvis

 

£25 – Dave Rhodes

 

£10 – Paul Hookway

 

 

September 2006

 

 

£50 – B. Burdett

 

£25 – Bob Wood

 

£10 – Ben Taylor

 

 

Please see Dave Crowe behind the bar for your winnings.

 

To join the 50 Club please contact Geoff Green via gjr.green@virgin.net

 

50 Club
10/12/2006 3:47:07 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

The Boars fielded a strong side in this Sussex Salver round 2 match Julian Wates and Rory Burchett were added to the squad that beat Eastbourne 4’s the previous week. With a place in the quarter finals at stake (against the better of Shoreham 2’s or St Francis 2’s) it was anticipated that Hastings would be tough opponents.

The game kicked off in glorious sunshine and both teams showed positive intent with some good early backs moves. The initial set piece plays were keenly fought and went with the put in. A break on the Heathfield right looked dangerous as Adam Farrell chipped over his opposite number and advanced on the ball as it bounced about 10 metres out. About this time the Hastings full back collected the ball and it was clearly ‘game on’ as he beat Farrell for pace and took the ball back to the halfway line before being brought down. Time for plan B and the Boars forwards to seek control.

The Boars resolved to ‘pick and drive’ for a few phases before spinning it wide and this proved to be a very successful strategy leading to the first try after about 15 minutes. Two or three phases of play found the Boars 15 metres out in a central position and quick ball to Jim Cumming saw him break a couple of tackles to score between the posts. Guy Ellery slotted over the conversion to take the score to 7-0.

At this point in the game the Boars forwards began to get the better of their opponents in the set pieces. Hooker Jason La Roche started to win the Hastings put in or at least slow the Hastings possession down and Tony Rose began to win his battle in the line out. This often led to good field position and from one such set piece on the Hastings 22 converted scrum half Jack Bailey sprinted round a flat footed defence to score an unconverted try.

Heathfield were beginning to feel confident at this point but within 5 minutes Hastings reminded them that the game was by no means over. Hastings scored when the Heathfield backs scorned a chance to kick and clear their 22 metre line and instead decided to run it out. A pass went astray and the first to the loose ball was a Hastings centre who out paced the cover to score an unconverted try. The game was back on and many felt that the next score would be an important one.

The Boars forwards continued to give their backs room to work in by their driving play sucking in defenders. During one such passage of play 22 metres out a Hastings player gave away a penalty and the ref allowed Jack Bailey a quick tap and Jack was nimble and Jack was quick enough to score between the posts and allow Guy Ellery another successful conversion attempt. Even though half time was approaching the Boars had time to add another try through Jim Cumming who was so keen to meet his pre match promise of 3 tries that he popped up in the ‘outside’ outside centre position to crash over to take the score to 24-5 at half time.

The second half resumed in the same competitive fashion and Hastings tried to free their speedy backs by passing wide as fast as possible. This had limited success mainly due to the dominance of the Heathfield pack in the set pieces and the tireless work of Mike Brown in the loose play. This platform allowed Joe Henry to score his second try in two games when several phases of forward play was topped off with the backs passing the ball quickly out left to beat a stretched defence.

Hastings to their great credit never stopped trying and took advantage of some slack defending at a penalty to score, via their captain Paul Begg, a converted try. At 27-12 was this the start of a comeback?

Heathfield hit back with a candidate for try of the season when the ball was collected on their own 10 metre line recycled 6 or 7 times, gaining ground each time, before that man Jack Bailey took it the last few metres for a really beautiful score that seemed to seal the match. There was time for one final try when the Boars ran a ball from their 10 metre line and took it to the Hastings 10 metre line where Jack Bailey took a pass and ran a lovely line that took him through the centres before he stood the fullback up and just had the legs to take it over the try line. A missed conversion and 2 minutes of play were all there was left before a fine 39-12 victory could be celebrated.

Man of the match for the Boars was close between Mike Brown, Jim Cummings and Jack Bailey. The award went to Jack Bailey due to his all round performance (the 4 tries were just icing on the cake). The Boars also won the ‘man of the match’ drinking race but only just as the Boars habit of adding a pickled egg to the pint did not suit either contestant. Indeed Jack looked keen to return his egg to the outside world shortly after eating it.

Boars Team – Mike MacLeod (Andy Sutton – 78), Jason La Roche, Rory Burchett (Joe Geesin – 60), Ben Taylor, Tony Rose, Ian Schleider (Bob Togher – 45), Mike Brown, Jim Cumming, Jack Bailey, Brady Burdett (Mark Hassall – 65), Julian Wates, Duncan Hesketh, Adam Farrrell (Simon Hollingdale – 25), Joe Henry, Guy Ellery (Levi Willis – 60)

Report by Mike MacLeod

Henry tackles...

Is that Hassall?...

Levi? on the attack...

A successful lineout to Jack

10/7/2006 9:40:52 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)