Heath field & Waldron arrived at Crawley RFC for this county final as firm favourites having achieved two League victories earlier in the season against their opponents in the final. The Greenies did not disappoint their large and enthusiastic group of supporters and ran out comfortable winners after a fine game played in the best of spirit by both clubs. The score line was a fair reflection of Hatfield’s overall superiority and showed just how much they have developed and improved over the season. Coach Dave Jones and his management and coaching staff deserve great credit and on the day his players were well motivated and superbly efficient in gaining the Club’s first ever County Trophy.

They survived an early shock inside five minutes of the kick off when the Burgess Hill left wing intercepted a loose Heath pass in mid field to run in unopposed from half way to take an early 7—0 lead. At this point Heath field settled early nerves and began to impose their style of rugby on their opponents. The tight five forwards gained control in the tight and showed how mobile they are in loose play. Mark Walker and Kobe Tonkin performed admirably in the lineout against much taller jumpers and the back row proved why they are rated the outstanding unit in the Sussex league. Time and again Simon Wilson broke tackles and put in powerful runs creating havoc in the Burgess Hill defence and Paul Flood and Tom Pritchard were fearless in the tackle area and won valuable turnover ball almost at will. Heathfield`s three quarters were tigers in defence and Sam Thewlis again put in an outstanding display at full back.

After conceding the early score Bryn Jones pulled the lead back to a single point with two well struck penalties and Simon Wilson gave notice of things to come using his speed and power to score wide out. At this point Heath field led by 11—7. So fluently were they playing with forwards and backs combining and winning most of the fifty- fifty ball that the confidence in the Heath field side was evident and much to the delight of their supporters they scored a further two quality tries before half time. Sam Thewlis scored a try wide out after a jinking run from outside the Burgess Hill 22 and Seb Jones completed an excellent three-quarter try with a number of players handling down the narrow side. This was another beautifully finished try because Sib had to pin back his ears and travel at real speed to score in the corner. It was one of his best tries of the season. A huge roar from the Greenie fans went up when brother Bryn converted with a sumptuous kick from the touchline. Heath field were ahead by 23—7 at halftime.

Heath field had played with the wind in the first half and were justified in expecting something of a revival from their opponents in the second half and Burgess Hill attacked in Heaths half for much of the second period. But Heath fields tackling and overall defence was both brave and secure with all fifteen players tackling fiercely and flatly refusing to concede another score to the Blacks. Having survived a tense period defending their line Heath field broke away and nearly added to their own tally. Towards the end Simon Wilson took a knock on the head so one of Heath fields match winners had to go off. But cometh the hour…. The evergreen Rob Streeter came on to replace Simon which was thoroughly fitting for a man who has served the club so well and was one of their players in the first match the club played.

Final impressions of this excellent final were that both sides looked better than Sussex 1 standard and that the better all-round performance won the day with both sides tailing off a little in the second half.

Report by Mike de St Croix

Captain Bryn Jones receives the Shield.

Paul Flood, Coach Dave Jones and Mark Walker.

3/25/2007 10:09:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Heath field had a score to settle with Pulborough having lost to them in the opening match of the season and having scraped past them last Saturday after extra time. Pulborough are one of the few sides in the league apart from Heath field who believe in playing fast and open rugby and they always compete ferociously and run powerfully from deep. They usually save their best performances for Heath field.

The first half was very much a continuation of last weeks cup game with both sides making numerous handling errors and with nerves from players and the referee preventing any real flow to the game. Pulborough took the lead with a penalty, Heath replied with a try by Simon Wilson and Pulborough converted another penalty to lead 6-5 at half time. Some well chosen words from their excellent coach at half time aroused an unusually somnolent Greenies team and they obligingly changed the tempo of the match to score five goals and a try in the second half to punish a rapidly tiring Pulborough side.

The backs outscored their forward colleagues only because one of the forwards Bruce Pastel was playing in the backs. After settling into his unaccustomed position at outside centre he benefited from the powerful play of his brother at inside centre and scored twice. All the home sides’ points resulted from backs and forwards linking and running powerfully at their opponents. This is the style of rugby they enjoy and it is a joy to watch.Heathfield may lack weight up front but they have outstanding runners amongst the forwards and all eight showed their colours in this game. Simon Wilson at No 8 scored again and the ever present Rob Lawrence continued his ability to cross the line with another well taken try. A try each from the Pestell brothers completed the scoring and skipper Bryn Jones converted all the tries in the second half.

This Sunday the Heathfield club have two teams competing in Sussex Finals. The development XV play Haywards Heath 3rd XV at 12.45 and the 1stXV take on Burgess Hill at 3pm.Both games are being played at Crawley RFC and it is hoped that a huge contingent of supporters will travel to Crawley.There will be transport laid on and details are available at the Clubhouse. The Club’s achievement in reaching the finals of the Sussex Shield and the Sussex Vase is a wonderful testimonial to the players, Coaches and administrators of a club which is flying high at all levels.

Report by Mike de St Croix

3/17/2007 8:33:30 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Possible entries?...

Gay Cavaliers

Highlights

Dieppe  

The White Hart   

Blackboys                                                                                            

Half Moon            

Woody

Prince of Wales

George Bugle

Squirrel

Crown   

Please contact Phil Bell ASAP if you are going to put in a team. The first entry has already been received from The Cock (somewhere in Kent) – apparently they played in the tournament a few years ago.  Any pub is welcome to put in a team (£25 per team in advance) but we want to make sure that it is a fairly competitive tournament without too many ringers and will penalise anyone who tries that.

We are considering using Burgess’s field as well as the main pitch – this would mean we could increase the number of teams to 12.  If we cannot do so then we will only accept entries from the first 9 applications – early booking recommended!

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

3/16/2007 2:32:50 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heath field’s young side were mentally and physically exhausted at the end of a pulsating period of extra time in their Sussex Shield semi-final at Pulborough on Saturday. Having achieved a tremendous win at Horsham the week before, the depleted squad rose to the occasion against a Pulborough side who had beaten them once this year and were highly motivated to achieve a double.

Heath field were prevented from playing their usual open and free flowing game by a side who attacked boldly from deep on a pitch which always favoured the team playing down the slope and with the strong breeze. Both teams made a number of errors but Heath won the game because of their belief in themselves and because of their remarkable determination. Both sides deserve much credit for their skill and their desire to play an open and attractive game. The home side proved much sterner opposition for the Greenies than sides placed higher in the league table. As the teams are due to meet again in a return league match at Cross in Hand this Saturday, Spectators should prepare for a feast of open running rugby.

Heath field held Pulborough for most of the first half against the elements and in fact scored the first try running up the hill thanks to a fine run on the burst from Rob Lawrence playing in the unaccustomed position of inside centre. Seb Jones took the scoring pass and ran in near enough the posts for Bryn Jones to convert. Pulborough were stung into action by conceding the first score and put their visitors under constant pressure for the remainder of the half, scoring two converted tries in the process. The half time score was 14-7 to Pulborough.

The Heath field faithful on the touch lines expected a relaxed second period with Heath field playing down the slope and with the wind. But it was not to be as Pulborough played some bold and fast rugby attacking Heath field with direct and powerful running whenever they had possession. After a great deal of pressure near the Pulborough line, the Greenies, in the person of the powerful Lawrence, forced their way over twice from close range for two unconverted tries and with only three minutes of normal time to play, Heath field appeared to have won the game by three points. However Pulborough came storming back and dead on the full time whistle they were awarded a penalty which their excellent scrum half converted to take the game into extra time at 17 points all.

The first period of extra time passed with the scores at 17 all and Heath field held the advantage of playing downhill in the final ten minutes. Still neither side would give ground and as Heath had scored Three tries to two it appeared that they simply had to hold on to win this epic match. With just one minute remaining Heathfield were awarded a kickable penalty and to the huge relief of players and supporters alike Bryn Jones struck the ball high between the posts. The Final score was 20-17 and another nail biter between the two clubs had run its roller coaster course.

No praise would be too high for the players of both sides. They gave their all for their respective clubs and frankly neither really deserved to lose. The tiny difference was Heath fields self confidence and dogged refusal to accept defeat. This result means that Heathfield and Waldron RFC will be contesting two finals at Crawley on Sunday March 25^th. The second or Development XV will play against Haywards Heath thirds for the Sussex Vase and the 1^st XV will play against Burgess Hill in the final of the Shield.

Report by Mike de St Croix

3/10/2007 6:02:34 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

OCTOBER 06

£50 D HESKETH

£25 M BROWN

£10 J WATES

NOVEMBER 06

£50 B TAYLOR

£25 D RHODES

£10 S WILSON

DECEMBER 06

£50 M DE ST CROIX

£25 P MERCER

£10 C HICKS

JANUARY 07

£50 J CASHMORE

£25 G GREEN

£10 A FLINT

FEBRUARY 07

£50 S WILSON

£25 G WOODS

£10 S SHERLOCK

3/5/2007 10:15:10 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

It would be fair to say that there is a little bit of history between these two squads as a result of matches played whilst on tour with the Minis on the Isle of Wight over the past few years. The last meeting was at the Vectis Festival 2006 when Edenbridge, having received a mauling from Heathfield in the not so friendly Saturday game, duly eliminated them from the Tournament on the Sunday.

The match got under way just after the heavy rain started  but this did not seem to deter a very determined Heathfield side from going straight out and securing the first score within 2 minutes of the start with prop Daniel Halls powering over for his first try for the club.

This immediately settled the Heathfield forwards and straight from the re-start they regained possession and after some amazing passes & interchanges in midfield got the ball to Toby Warren who ran clear of the Edenbridge backs at their 10m line to touch down under the posts. Fly half Mathew Barber converted with a fine kick in the increasingly difficult conditions. Blindside Flanker JJ Redman was the next Heathfield player to score, powering his way through the Edenbridge backs leaving them trailing in his wake, there seemed little they could do to stop such a strong player. It was at this time that the coach decided it was time to ring some changes bringing on three substitutes, a luxury that he has not been afforded over the last few weeks through lack of players. The Heathfield team continued to pile on the pressure & when Daniel Halls popped the ball out of a maul to JJ Redman he didn’t need telling what to do next and powered over in the corner. Mathew Barber stepped up & coolly converted his kick to put the home side 24:0 up at half time.

Heathfield were now playing downhill for the second half and judging by the first half performance were expected to pile on more points. Sure enough George Wardle, playing today at inside centre, didn’t disappoint, appearing out of a mêlée on the Edenbridge 5m line to crash over the line for another try. Mathew Barber’s attempt at converting fell a little short but this was no disgrace as he was now kicking directly into the driving wind & rain. The game was turning into somewhat of a war of attrition with injuries to the Edenbridge side reducing them to 14 players. Heathfield’s Oscar Lacey deserves great credit for volunteering to make up the numbers for the opposing side after playing a full first half for Heathfield.

Bruno Halit seems to have taken to his new role out on the wing and the Heathfield backs are now realising that if they can feed the ball out quickly enough he is able to use his size and pace to good advantage. Sure enough he was next on the score sheet with a fine burst the corner from 25 metres out. By this time Heathfield realised that their best chance of scoring in the awful conditions was running, not kicking, therefore they waived their right to any further conversions in favour of getting on with the match. JJ Redman scored two further tries, Toby Warren added to his tally once more and Man of the Match Bruno Lomu Halit crowned the display with the final, 10^th try of the match right on the final whistle.

To their credit, the Edenbridge players remained resolute to the end and never gave up despite the awful conditions.

Coach Mike Barber had given the team a stern dressing down after last week’s performance against Cranbrook when despite winning they had almost let a commanding first half lead slip by the final whistle. The same could not be levelled at them this week and the team never once looked like letting the opposition breach their defences whilst at all times retaining their desire to increase the score right to the final whistle.

This was the third time Heathfield had racked up over fifty points in a match this season and even more impressively the fifth win with a clean sheet of the season.

A fine performance by the whole squad : Jack Fellows, Daniel Halls, Ben Smith, Ben Maltman, George Wardle, Reece Webb, JJ Redman, David Bayly, Harry Smith, Sam Saunters, Mathew Barber, Bruno Halit, Spencer Heath, Gregory Johnson, Sam Keylock, Toby Warren, Oscar Lacey, Joseph Hastings.

Match report by Richard Smith

3/4/2007 9:47:09 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heath field travelled to Horsham expecting to face the Sussex division 1 leaders on their new and flat pitch. Having played a game against a select county back in September this beautiful new surface has hardly been touched. Sadly the recent weather put paid to te original plan so the game was played on the old first XV pitch with its steep gradient. Heath field however were really up for the game and, playing down the slope in the first half, put Horsham under constant pressure. Although Heath fielded a lighter pack than their opponents, they more than held their own in set pieces which allowed the forwards and in particular Rob Lawrence and Simon Wilson to carry the ball at pace and with great determination deep into Horsham’s somewhat fragile defence. While enjoying the advantage of the slope Heath field created a number of scoring chances but too often passes were spilled near the line and Horsham managed to keep their line in tact with some fine last ditch tackles. The Heath field supporters were fearful that the excellent start and fierce commitment shown by an inspired Greenies team would go unrewarded as half time approached. However late in the half the Heathfield forwards won good ball and moved the ball to the left inside the Horsham 22. As the move developed it became clear that Heath’s powerful prop Dan hunter Evans was positioned in the outside centre position and once the ball was secured in his safe hands it was clear that no defence was going to stop him and he scored his maiden try for Heathfield. This score lifted his team and inspired him to play his best game yet for his club.

Heathfield`s slender half tome lead of 5-0 did not seem anyway near enough and most people watching the hard fought contest expected the Home team and league leaders to dominate their opponents once they had the slope in their favour. Heathfield however had different ideas and playing up the steep hill tore into their larger opponents with controlled ferocity. Early in the half scrum half Lee Vokins was given a yellow card for picking the ballup in a ruck.While the referee’s decision was technically correct it seemed a little harsh as there were so many infringements from both sides throughout the game. However the match was a very clean one and played in good spirit by both sides and the ref generally kept good control. Within ten minutes Horsham capitalised on the advantage of the slope and a good supply of possession to level the scores with a well taken try. A short while later they scored another good try but to Heathfied`s relief they failed with both conversions. Just when it seemed the game was approaching the anticipated conclusion Heathfield raised their game and proved what a fit and gutsy unit they are.

Their pack held their own held in the tight with Hunter Evans Lawrence and Douglas performing heroic deeds of strength against a heavy scrum pushing downhill in the muddiest parts of the pitch. Whereas Lawrence’s throwing into the lineout was exemplary, Horsham’s Hooker frequently threw crooked and handed the initiative back to Heathfield.The greenies played the game at pace and continued to use their talented Backs. Whenever Horsham attempted to run the ball they were toppled by a well organised and courageous defence. As the game entered its final phase Heathfield players and supporters realised that, in spite of being one score adrift, they were in control of the game and insight of a memorable victory. Their opponents had little left to offer. At this point Heathfield scored one of their tries of the season which delighted their coach and their club. Forwards won a turnover, backs worked the ball into space, the excellent and elusive “Mono” Thewlis sidestepped through the mud and delivered to the outstanding Rob Lawrence who sprinted uphill to score under the posts. He wasted no time in placing the ball and converting himself. Heathfield were two points in the lead but there were some 12 minutes still to play and Horsham were still favourites to steal what had been a pulsating game. Almost immediately Heathfield were down to 14 men again when another yellow card was issued to Damien Pestell, one of the teams most robust and reliable defenders. But still Heath field tackled their hearts out and hung on until the ref blew the whistle just a tad early. Justice had been done, the best side on the day won and Heathfield`s revival gathers momentum. The coach and the entire squad deserve the highest praise. It was a day to remember For H&W RFC.

Report by Mike de St Croix

3/3/2007 9:50:16 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)