Heath field continued their run of comfortable victories in a game which suffered from two front row injuries to the home side. The reorganisation involved prevented the Greenies from running in their usual flow of tries in the second half. Crawley, as anticipated, competed well up front but never gave any indication that they could match the fluency and skill of the home teams three quarters. Heathfield always looked the likely winners and duly completed a well earned double against Crawley.

After a positive start Heath field scored twice in the opening quarter. Koby Tonkin secured excellent lineout ball and scrum half Vokins passed to hooker Lawrence on the blind side who drove over the line with half the Crawley pack trying to stop him. Bryn Jones converted from the touchline and the greenies were into their stride. Within five minutes Heath field scored one of their now customary text book tries. They won a lineout on the Crawley 22, Vokins fed his fly half, and Bryn Jones ran a good line before feeding Damien Pestell who made a lovely inside break to score to the left of the posts. The conversion was missed but Heath field continued to play some thrilling rugby with Nick Cherry having a number of thrusting runs from full back. However Crawley defended stoutly and a few final passes from Heath went astray. Crawley hardly ever threatened but managed two penalties before half time to bring the score to 12-6 at the break.

From the kick off to start the second half the inspirational Heath field Hooker, Rob Lawrence, sustained a knee injury and had to leave the field .Heathfield`s front row sub Tom Pritchard moved from flanker to hooker. Lee Vokins moved to the back row, Nick Cherry to scrum half and Will Drinkwater to full back. These changes clearly affected the rhythm of Heath fields game although the eventual result of the match was never in any doubt.Crawley`s determined and physical pack tried to put their side back into contention but Heath field always had too much class and some excellent passing by Drink water and Cherry sent the skipper Jones over for a try wide out to make the score 17-6. At this point Jones closed down the game with some superb kicking which in effect guaranteed another victory for the Greenies.

Sadly Heathfield`s excellent young prop Andre Douglas had to go off with a rib injury with some twenty minutes remaining which resulted in uncontested scrums because the home side had already used their front row replacement. The Crawley forwards attempted to stage a recovery but in fact it was Heathfield`s outstanding player on the day, Damien Pestell, who ran onto a pass from Nick Cherry to close out the match with his second fine try.

For Heath field the whole side played with great heart and tackled splendidly. The back row was, as ever, outstanding in attack and defence and Nick Cherry proved what a talented player he is whether at scrum half or full back. This was not Heath field at their flowing best but it was nevertheless a good and hard earned victory.

Report by Mike de St Croix

1/27/2007 11:59:49 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Boars backs cut loose

This exciting game was not as one sided as the score line suggests. However “Forwards win matches and backs decide by how much” is a famous saying in rugby and the Boars backs were rampant in this game adding to the score whenever ball was available to them.

East Grinstead brought a forward dominated side to the Waldron pitch and the Boars forwards were made to work hard all game. The scrums offered little clean possession for Heathfield as the heavier and better drilled EG pack had the Boars pack going backwards. However good displays in the loose and in the lineout gave the Boars backs the possession they needed and it was well used.

Leading try scorer Simon Hollingdale has been quiet in his last few games but came to life to score the first Heathfield try from the halfway line. His strong running was assisted by poor tackling from East Grinstead. This set the tone for the rest of the first half with Heathfield resisting pressure in the forwards before breaking free through the backs. Additional tries were provided by Farrell, Woods, Burdett, Wates, Cook and Lewis to give a comfortable 41-0 score at half-time.

The East Grinstead team talk must have been a good one as they came out determined to use their forwards to even better effect. The blue and whites gained the Heathfield 22 and then won a scrum about 7 metres out, gained control of the ball and pushed the Boars pack back over their own line for a try.

The Boars countered with a superb try from Burdett who jinked from one side of the pitch to the other before going back to score between the posts. To their credit Grinstead again came back and again put the Boars pack under pressure in their 22 and stole the ball against the head then attacked the blind side to score a second try.

Heathfield then regained their composure and scored further tries from Woods, Cook, Hollingdale and Henry. The movement and angles of running were excellent and provided good practice for the forthcoming Sussex Salver final against Horsham (Noon on the 11^th February at Burgess Hill RFC).

Gallant East Grinstead claimed the last score of the game when they once again bludgeoned their way over the Boars line with the very last move of the match.

Man of the Match was Brady Burdett for a scintillating display of attacking rugby.

Boars Team – M. MacLeod, A. Sutton, J. Geesin (S. Lester – 50), J. Parsons, T. Rose (P. Hookway – 40), B. Taylor, K. Lewis, D. Cook, G. Ellery (T. Wates – 25), B. Burdett, D. Hesketh, A. Farrell, R. Such, S. Hollingdale (B. O’Neil – 65), R. Woods (J. Henry – 60)

Report by Mike MacLeod

1/27/2007 11:56:28 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

A reminder to everyone to please use your vote to help make the Boars the Courier's Team of the Year; you can vote as many times as you like, and it is not limited to just one vote per person.

1/22/2007 6:26:55 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield entertained opposition from a lower league in a Sussex Shield quarter final on Saturday and overpowered them from kick off to the final whistle. Norfolk Arms never gave up but the home side had too much pace, power and skill to allow their opposition even the semblance of a look in. The Greenies however were not on song with place kicking and only one of their eleven tries was converted. Although a good proportion of their tries were scored by forwards all resulted from powerful breaks, some from deep positions, and featured strong running and good handling.

Many of Heathfields best moments came from their reserve contingent with some surging runs from their athletic forwards and a gutsy and thoroughly competent performance from an ex mini Ed Harrison who came on at scrum half when Mark Walker injured an ankle. Bruce Pestell moved to second row, Lee Vokins to flanker and Harrison to the base of the scrum. He gave a lively performance with his tackling particularly catching the eye.

The Heathfield front row were in storming form with Rob Lawrence making a number of exquisite breaks and the massive Hunter-Evans running around the park like a spring lamb. The happy trio was completed by Andre Douglas having his first full game for some weeks. Andre has been playing superbly as a very fit impact player but he proved in this match what a good all-round forward he is.

The Home side gave ample evidence of how rugby is improving at Heath field and it is worth noting that the club did not concede a point on Saturday and that the top three sides have a real chance of winning a county trophy each. Next week it is down to earth again with a home league match against Crawley.

Report by Mike de St Croix 

1/20/2007 9:00:53 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

This cup quarter final saw a much changed Heathfield 2^nd team, with a variety of the regulars having other commitments.  However this gave opportunities to some new faces who grasped it with both hands.  Horsham arrived confidently having convincingly knocked Heathfield Boars out in the last round.  Yet from the off, Heathfield magnificently lead by skipper for the day the replacement Chris Jones managed to dominate the game.  Sticking to the game plan of moving the ball around, maintaining a high pace and keeping the ball away from Horsham’s big forwards, Heathfields pressure had to count.  And it did! After 10 minutes when Matt Skinner broke through in the centres to run in under the posts from the halfway line, this was converted by Will Drinkwater. 

There followed a typical Jack Bayley try, playing at openside in a backrow unit that performed excellently throughout the game and created the platform for most of Heath’s successful attacking moves.  From broken play he seized the ball and managed to run in from the 22 metre line with Drinkwater again making the conversion.  Just 5 minutes later after excellent drives from the Heath forwards on the right, the ball was swept along the backline to Rob Such on the wing who beat two tacklers for an superb try in the corner.

Heath’s forwards continued to drive into Horsham, with all the front 5 putting strong combative performances in.  Just before half time after some excellent ground gained by Evans and Jones the backs broke out on the left, Drinkwater ran a wide arc then put a delicate kick through for his backs to chase.  Debutant Miles Hearsey managed some fancy footwork himself dribbling the ball over the try line for a fine score.  Heathfield ended the first half 24 – 0 up.

It was always going to be tough playing into the wind in the second half and it took a while for Heathfield to take control of the game.  However, Shaun Dorrell a colt in his debut senior game playing at no 8, started to impose himself on the game.  He made some excellent individual breaks setting up great field positions.  It was from a ruck on the halfway lane he managed to peel off, slip several tackles and his pace took him through on towards the try line.  He was tackled just short, but managed to stay on his feet and release a pop pass to Matt Skinner who went over for his second try of the day, Drinkwater converted.

Throughout the match Heath’s backrow pressurised the Horsham breakdown and tackled them into submission.  It was from some of this harassing play that Heath turned the ball over in their own half, then, with 2 carries from Matt Skinner and Levi Willis saw them put Drinkwater in for a try in the corner and take his tally for the game to 11 points.

Overall, it was an excellent team performance that sees Heathfield through to the semi-final in 2 weeks time at home.  It was difficult to single out a man of the match after such a good team performance, however as part of an excellent backrow and in his best performance of the season Ian Schleider took the award.

Report by Shaun Hipgrave

1/20/2007 6:24:28 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

With all 3 Heathfield & Waldron RFC’s teams playing at home the Boars ran out onto Waldron’s rarely used second pitch for an early kick off. The Boars enjoyed a close game against their Kent neighbours in bright sunshine and ankle deep mud. That it ended without a score was more a testament to the intensity of the defence rather than a lack of skill or commitment.

Both teams showed flashes of skilful handling before the final pass went astray or the backs ran out of room on the smaller pitch. There were comic moments when both teams failed to tap correctly when awarded penalties on their opponent’s 5 metre lines which led to a loss of possession. Perhaps this shows that experience is not enough to allow you to play properly!

Both sets of forwards had their best spell when they had the advantage of the down slope but neither had the brains or brawn to break down a stubborn defence.

The Boars almost lost the game in the last minute of the match when the Tonbridge Juds drove up the hill and were only just stopped a metre short by a brave effort led by Duncan Hesketh.

Man of the Match was Ben Taylor for his brave defensive performance.

Boars Team – M. MacLeod, Jason La Roche, J. Geesin (A. Sutton – 50), B. O’Neil, T. Rose, S. Walker (Capt.), G. Robinson, B. Taylor, G. Ellery, B. Burdett, D. Hesketh, A. Farrell, M. McDonald, K. Davies (S. Hollingdale – 15), M. Barber (K. Lewis – 40)

Report by Mike MacLeod

1/20/2007 6:20:59 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

A strong and combative Hove B squad started the match well straight from the kick off. However Heathfield were up for the task and after some fine defensive work they managed to gain possession of the ball and then went on through the backs to skilfully switch play from one side of the pitch to the other whilst making good forward progress over the half way line. By the time the ball got out to Toby Warren the Hove defence were only able to follow him over the line & watch whilst he touched down for the first Heathfield try just on 5 minutes.

Another determined attack & sustained pressure from Heathfield was starting to tell on the Hove defence & sure enough they gave away a penalty about 8m out. Heathfield No 8 David Bayly took a quick tap and despite his own forwards struggling to keep up with him he forced his way over the line on his own.

Unfortunately the windy conditions were not favouring the kicker & despite getting a good line on the conversion attempt Mathew Barber was unable to get the range required to get the ball over the bar.

By now the Heathfield confidence was growing and the pack were winning most of the scrums. Front row players Daniel Halls, Ben Smith and Jack Fellows all had fine games, each making the hard yards in typical driving fashion. They were ably supported & pushed on by locks Reece Webb and Sam Keylock and the back row of George & James Wardle with David Bayly at No. 8 is starting to become a formidable. With quality forward play Scrum Half Harry Smith was able to get quick ball out of scrums & breakdown situations which only increased the pressure on the Hove defence who had to resort to touching down behind their own line to prevent Heathfield adding to the score.

The first half finished with winger Ollie Kent temporarily on the touch line after a minor injury sustained during one of his regular lightning runs down the wing.

The second half saw Hove come out fighting to attempt to get back in the match. The game seemed to be more evenly balanced with Hove having more success in the scrum although Heathfield’s extra pre-match lineout practice seemed to be paying off with them contesting well to win possession on many occasions. Just as it was looking likely that the match would finish 10 – 0 with neither side managing to break through Toby Warren charged down an attempted clearance by Hove on the 10 m line. Second half substitute Sam Saunters dropped on the ball & secured possession for the Heathfield side with No 8 David Bayly picking up & driving over in typical bullish style.

Mathew Barber again got a good line on the kick, but was unable to make the range required to convert the try.

This was an all round good performance by a squad who are now starting to put together some good exciting Rugby with some excellent handling and creative play. Those players who go to complete the full line up, Ben Maltman, Bruno Halit, Gregory Johnson, Joseph Hastings, Oscar Lacey & Spencer Heath are all well worthy of a mention.

This was the first time that Heathfield have got the better of any Hove team at this level and such is the strength in depth at Hove in the U13 age group that their B team are a match for most other sides on their day. So overall a very satisfying result and one which adds to a solid start to fifteen man rugby for this squad with one defeat and three victories in the league and all the wins secured without conceding a single point.

Head Coach Mike Barber was a happy man at the end, but in a typical show of MB dedication to the cause, could still see areas where improvement is required in order to achieve the squad’s full potential.

Report by Richard Smith

1/14/2007 5:53:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

On a dry day it was ideal backs weather and for once it was the Heathfield backs who stole the show scoring 7 out of the 9 tries scored.  Although the scoreline suggested a rout, the visitors never allowed their opponents an easy run in and Heathfield never truly dominated. But when chances came they were taken and so the scoreboard steadily ticked over.

As the match was a friendly Heathfield were able to give all of their squad of 24 a game.

With six members of the Heathfield side currently in the Sussex squad, 5 of them in the forwards, the Hastings pack were always struggling for possession. Good driving runs upfield particularly by Larry Platt created good field position and with the hard work put in by Mike Abbott, Greg Salmon and captain Matt Halls, the ball was looked after. This possession was well used by the backs with tries coming from  Thomas Pudsie Pring after great work from Abbott, Peter Phair who cleverly changed direction and bravely drove over, Alex Scott who ran a beautiful line off the backs favourite move, Dayle Hollands took a wonderful pass from Scott then flicked the afterburners on to round the defence and Greg Salmon who had supported a clever break from Elliot Marshall.  Hooker Tom Keylock was very unlucky and deserved a try but just lost the ball going over the line.

Centre Ashley Sutton scored 2 tries, but his best saw him collect a pass on Halfway and beat at least 6 Hastings players before they finally dragged him down 5 yards from the line. The ball was recycled and from the following ruck, Sutton took the next pass again and dived over to finish the move he had started.

Captain Matt Halls also scored from No.8 and Oliver Hancock at Prop scored his customary try from 5 yards out.

Conversions were added by Peter Phair, Greg Salmon and Jeremy Burdett who was also unlucky not to score following a great run by Hollands.

Man of the match went to Alex Scott who ran tirelessly and had a very neat and effective game.

1/14/2007 5:51:06 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield continued their run of wins with another excellent all round performance at Burgess Hill on Saturday. They had to overcome a sticky surface and strong opponents to run out winners by five tries to two. This was one of Heaths most testing games of the season and Burgess Hill often enjoyed superiority up front from their large pack who were particularly strong in the lineout and the driving maul. Heathfield however dominated the loose ball and their experienced No 8 Simon Wilson had one of his finest games for his club inspiring his younger colleagues in the back row to terrific deeds in snuffling out their opponent’s possession and winning fifty- fifty ball on the ground. With four quite outstanding back row forwards to choose from Heathfield are excelling in that area of play every week. That said the pack is susceptible to rolling mauls and only drew clear of their opponents in the final fifteen minutes of a very well contested game.

Heath won the toss and chose to play into a strong wind. And Burgess Hill scored early with a good try out wide after a deft kick ahead by their scrum half. Heathfield defended stoutly against the elements and were rewarded by two good tries, one by the rapidly improving Kobe Tonkin who completed a good handling movement on the left, and the other by Mike Hole again after good handling by the backs. Heath  changed ends in the lead by one try but conceded ground early in the second half when Burgess Hill used the strength of their forwards to  cross Heathfield`s line after a series of five metre scrums and lineouts .The next quarter of the game was a tense affair with neither side being able to force an advantage. The tackling on both sides was superb and each side had opportunities to take the lead.

Heathfield remained patient and kept their discipline with skipper Bryn Jones putting in some telling kicks so that his side played the final quarter of the game encamped in their opponents 22. Tries inevitably followed from Damien Pestell after a surging run through the Burgess Hill defence, an excellent pick up and drive run from the base of the scrum by Simon Wilson and finally a gem from the skipper himself running a beautiful line from twenty metres out and scoring near the posts.

Report by Mike de St Croix.

1/13/2007 9:06:30 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

The Boars enjoyed a one sided, short handed friendly game against Cinque Ports the newest East Sussex team. Only 8 opponents arrived at Heathfield so the Boars lent 5 players to permit a 13 a side game.

The forward battle was pretty even but the Boars backs ran riot and put in 8 tries from Rob Woods 2, Matt McDonald 3, Tony Rose, Rob Such and Mike Barber. Tony Rose was so happy to be allowed to convert his own try that he danced back threatening to end his career on that high.

Boars Team – N. Kerr, C. Jones, A. Sutton, B. O’Neil, T. Rose, G. Robinson, B. Taylor, B. Burdett, D. Hesketh, R. Such, M. McDonald, K. Davies, R. Woods

Boars who played for Cinque Ports – M. MacLeod, K. Lewis, J. Sharp, A. Farrell, G. Ellery

Report by Mike MacLeod

1/13/2007 6:18:25 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield 2nds have been riding the crest of a wave this season. With only one loss and 12 wins in all competitions they felt confident they could pull off a surprise win against the powerful and quick Haywards Heath 3rds.

Again the main pitch at Cross in Hand was in superb condition and the table was set for an afternoon of free flowing rugby.

Haywards Heath kicked off with Heathfield choosing the advantage of the wind behind in the first half. It was then at least a minute and a half before the first stoppage. Both teams had come to play.

Heathfield applied excellent pressure on the visitors forcing a number of penalties. The temptation was go for goal but the confidence was high and the decision was made to turn up the pressure. A quick tap and go resulted in Jim Cummings driving through several tackles to score. The kick was missed. 5 – 0

This rattled the visitors cage. It was their turn to apply the pressure. After 10 minutes camped in their own 22, Heathfield’s scrum half Jamie Marchant was sin Binned for handling on the ground beneath the posts and from the resulting penalty Haywards Heath captain and no 8 (Dan) crashed over for a converted try. 5 – 7

The next 15 minutes was the best rugby Heathfield 2nds have played all year. Excellent ball retention and phase work combining forwards and backs created an opportunity for Chris English, Guy Woods and Matt Skinner to show what they can do with a little bit of space. Some excellent passing and lines of running resulted in an unconverted try for Matt Skinner. 10 – 7 at the break.

For the second half Mike Fellows who had played very well in the first half, made way for Bob Togher (who had travelled all the way from Chelmsford – that’s commitment) to take over at loose head. Luke Sanders replaced Chris Ambrosino at hooker.

With the wind behind them Haywards Heath pitched up in Heathfields 22 and decided to stay there. The visitors kept bashing and Heathfield kept boshing. There was no way through for 30 minutes.

The last 10 minutes decided the match. The Heathfield forwards were tiring. The visitors fitness was beginning to tell and eventually they were able to break down the defence and score two unconverted tries. 10 – 17

Heahfield had one and a half minutes to score a converted try for a draw. The last minute and a half mirrored the first with no stoppages. Heathfield pressed closer and closer to the visitors try line. Then final whistle sounded with Heathfield 2 yards out. Final score 10 - 17

An excellent game of rugby, enjoyed by players and spectators alike.

Nick Evans, Chris Ambrosino, Mike Fellows , Jim Cummings, Dan Hunter Evans, Mike Brown, Rob Streeter, Ian Jenkins (Capt), Jamie Marchant , Chris English, Guy Woods, Matt Skinner, Levis Willis, Paul Jarvis, Barry Slay, Bob Togher (40), Ed Jones, (50), Luke Sanders (40)

Report by Ian Jenkins

1/13/2007 5:46:06 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Hi Fellow Boars,

I have just been informed that the Boars have been
shortlisted for the Kent & Sussex Courier Team of the
Year. I think this is good news for the H&WRFC club
and would like your support to win the award.

It has now moved to a 'readers vote' stage and as the
Courier say in their letter to me "now is the time to
campaign for votes by getting friends, family and club
members to get a coupon and vote" for your team. We
find out who we are in competition with in the Courier
on the 12th January (there is a special supplement
with photos etc) and a voting coupon will be printed
in that edition and those of the 19th and 26th of
January. Voting closes on the 2nd February and the
award is presented at a lunch on the 16th February.

Can you all please galvinise as many votes as you can
(it must be done by buying a paper and using the
coupons) from within the club and from your own
friends and family.

I hope we can count on your support and that we win
the award.

Mike MacLeod
Boars Manager

1/10/2007 5:58:59 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

The Boars start 2007 with a narrow victory over close league rivals Newick 2’s. The game was played at Waldron and the famous slope played a big part in the shape of play. The Boars enjoyed the advantage in the first half and ran up a 22 points to 3 advantage at half time before struggling to keep a increasingly confident Newick side at bay in the second half.

Heathfield scored after 10 minutes when full back Rob Woods, on his first match since returning from a knee operation, cut into the line at pace to make 20 metres and score between the posts. Woods then went on to convert this try. The game continued to ebb and flow despite the wind and rain then the Boars gained a second score when Woods again cut into the line and unselfishly drew the last defender before passing to Matt McDonald to score in the left hand corner. Even though the conversion was missed the Boars began to look in control at 12-0.

This was challenged when the Newick forwards drove up hill and chose to kick a penalty from the 22 metre line to take the score to 12-3. The Boars showed their determination to win by responding from the kick off. The Heathfield forwards took the ball off their opposite numbers and it was spun left at pace to Matt McDonald who wrong footed two defenders in one move and sped over for his second try of the day. The conversion attempt was once again missed.

The final score of the half was a solo effort by Brady Burdett when he deluded his opposite number then ducked under a Newick centres attempted tackle and sprinted to the line. Burdett missed the conversion attempt. The Boars were pressing even as the half time whistle went but must have felt confident about the second half.

Newick had other ideas as they came out fast and hard putting the Heathfield line under pressure early on and keeping it on. The Boars forwards suddenly seemed unable to live with the aggressive Newick maul and this showed when Newick caught and drove from a lineout on the Boars 5 metre line and prop Neil Morgan went over to score. The difficult conversion attempt was narrowly missed.

The pressure continued with Heathfield only rarely making it into the Newick half. Strong defence was needed and led by Bailey and Hesketh the Boars kept working to provide it. After a sustained spell of pressure Newick got their second try when scrum half James Waylett picked up and drove over from a ruck. Crucially the conversion attempt was missed.

There then came the turning point in the game when Newick lost their discipline and had a player sin binned for persistent offside and then a player sent of for violent conduct. This did not stop Newick pressing and when Burdett attempted a clearance kick in his own gaol area it was charged down and Waylett had the simple job of tapping the ball down and John Cook converted to take the score to 22-20 with 6 minutes to go. Heathfield survived this last period and captain and birthday boy Kenny Lewis jumped for joy at the final whistle safe in the knowledge that the Boars were back to winning ways and were up to 3^rd in the league.

Man of the match went to Duncan Hesketh for his whole hearted performance which held the side together during the tough times.

Boars Team – M. MacLeod, J. La Roche (J. Sharp - 65), J. Geesin (A. Sutton – 40), P. Hookway (J. Parsons - 40), T. Rose, Ben Taylor (S. Walker – 60), K. Lewis, S. Bayley , D. Rhodes, B. Burdett, D. Hesketh, A. Farrell, M. McDonald, S. Hollingdale, R. Woods (M. Barber – 40)

Report by Mike MacLeod

1/6/2007 5:50:56 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

This home win was every bit as comprehensive as the scoreline suggests.On a day when many matches were postponed because of waterlogged pitches, Heathfield`s   superbly drained ground  and an outstanding performance from one of Sussex`s best and most experienced referees allowed both teams to overcome dreadful conditions and  the home side to give a remarkable display of fast and skilful rugby to the delight of a large and enthusiastic crowd.

Although they defended bravely in the first half, Seaford failed to get into their opponents 22 for much of the game. The Heathfield forwards, for whom Tom Pritchard had a fine game on his return to the side, dominated in all phases often pushing Seaford off the ball in the tight and frequently winning turnovers on the ground. The whole pack played superbly and supplied their backs with a monopoly of possession. For much of the first half Heathfield attempted to score tries through their superior forward strength but Seaford, to their credit kept the score sheet clean. However as soon as The Greenies decided to attack from deep and use the skill of their outsides the flood gates opened. With ten minutes of the break Bryn Jones received good ball from second phase and set up Damien Pestell for a powerful run into the Seaford 22. Pestell delivered a beautifully timed pass to Sam Thewlis playing at outside centre who completed the move to open the scoring. Within minutes the same players set up Mike Hole to score his first try which was converted to put Heathfield ahead 12-0 at half time.

The second half began with Joe Reilly off the field with a knee injury and with Seaford reduced to 14 men as a result of a red card given to one of their forwards after an indiscretion in full view of the referee. Aided by the loss of a Seaford player the home team stepped up a gear and exposed their opponents weaknesses with clinical efficiency. Coach Dave Jones moved Will Drinkwater, who is equally capable in either half back position or at full back, to no 15 which allowed him to bring on debutant Nick Cherry at no 9. Nick settled in well and quickly, linking well with his backs and snapping at the heels of his forwards. He chose his options well and impressed with his speed of thought and distribution. He capped a most promising debut with a well taken try.

Heath field played quite superbly against the elements in the second half keeping the ball in hand and running excellent lines. The try scorers were Sam Thewlis with his second, the ebullient Rob Lawrence who continues to be an inspiring player for Heath field, and Mike Hole who rounded off a splendid afternoon by running in from the 10 metre line.

Heathfield`s was a performance to delight their coach and their supporters. The pack was at its most commanding thus far and the talented backs played with great panache, clearly enjoying the possession they received throughout the game.

Report by Mike de St Croix

1/6/2007 5:47:46 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

This key Sussex division 1 league game was, as expected, a fiercely contested affair with the Home side running out unconvincing winners by a goal and two penalty goals to an unconverted try. The Hastings pitch was a mud bath and neither side nor the referee ever came to terms with the dreadful conditions. As is often the case with Heathfields young and fit team they struggled in the first half against Hastings powerful pack but played far the better rugby in the second half and should have overhauled the home team.

The rugby played by Hastings was based on crash ball running by the forwards and by the backs who invariably cut back inside to face a wall of rock solid defence by the visitors. Hastings had a monopoly of possession and should have scored many more than six points from two penalties in the first half. Hastings one dimensional tactics prevented Heathfield from gaining good possession but the rugby they played was ineffective. On one of the very few occasions the Greenies won second phase ball Bryn Jones spread the ball wide for full back Sam Thewlis to side step the defence and score a fine try. At half time Hastings were just in front by 6 points to 5.

The second half saw the fitter Heathfield pack winning more possession and in fact they created enough opportunities to win the game. But it was now the home team’s turn to defend heroically to ensure their win and some valuable league points. When they eventually passed the ball down the line they scored a good try to clinch victory. Hastings players and officials were mightily relieved to have won while Heathfield were left wondering about what might have been and looking forward to the return fixture in March.

The whole Heathfield side defended quite magnificently in this game, none more so than their captain Bryn Jones and their pack leader Paul Flood. Both these players have made a huge contribution to the success of the team in the pre Christmas matches and coach Dave Jones is building a fine and happy squad. They will feature near the top of the table by the end of the season and will continue to give great pleasure to the army of faithful supporters who watch all their games.

Report by Mike de St Croix

12/16/2006 8:36:04 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Having narrowly defeated Hove 3rds in the cup last week, Heath entertained them again in the league this week.  Again there was a problem with them turning out a full team and the game started 14 for Heath against 13 (with a borrowed Heathfield player).  However Heathfield were soon left under no illusion that this would be a pushover as the extremely competitive and robust Hove pack took the game to Heathfield.

However Heathfield were able to make their extra man tell and early on Barry Slay scored in the corner after the forwards stretched Hove from one side of the pitch to the other and slick passing in the backs put Barry in.  Shortly after this Hove’s extra players arrived and it was then 15 for Heath against 14.  Some good work in the forwards, especially in the line out by hooker Luke Sanders provided ample ball, however the Heathfield players were trying to do to much and possession was either lost or broken down not least by gritty defence by Hove.

A good try by Ben Wood put Heath 10-0 up at half time, not nearly as much as expected.

In the second half as would be expected Heath got the lions share of the ball and despite some excellent breaks and good lines of running from Dave Groom in the centres Hove were able to hold out.  Eventually though the veteran back row of Jenkins, Streeter and Brown were able to start creating good phased play, and Jack Bayley standing in at scrum half got to the pace of the game and began providing quick release ball.  There followed an excellent sweeping move which resulted in Barry Slay running half the length of the pitch, beating the full back with a lovely body swerve and scoring under the posts, Chris English duly converted.

For the final quarter of the game there was intense pressure by Heath, however it didn’t turn in to the big score we expected, mainly due to the dogged determination of Hove, but Heath were able to add to more scores, Ben Wood getting his second and Matt Skinner popping up in the corner to make it 27-0.

This was a fine result going into the Xmas break, played 8,L 1, W 7 is an indication of how the 2nds have developed this year, finally despite being run close by Luke Sanders the man of the match award went to Dave Groom, one of his best performances in a Heath shirt, not however replicated in the bar afterwards apparently.

Report by Shaun Hipgrave

12/16/2006 10:19:58 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)