Boars finish with a flourish

For their last league game of the season the Boars arrived and saw a team of much larger men looking ready for a rumble. The wise Boars noted that it was boiling hot and the ground was rock hard so they opted to play an open fast game. This led to one of the best 40 minutes of play in the whole season.

Seven unanswered tries settled the game in this opening period and all 15 players played their part in the game. The tone was set by Duncan Hesketh in the first Hove attack of the game as he dumped his opposite number hard and backwards onto the concrete like ground where he lay counting his limbs for a full minute.

The Boars forwards matched their much heavier opponents and hooker Jono Sharp even stole several scrums against the head. In open play the lighter Boars got to the breakdown in greater numbers and used the ball wisely. This gave quick ball to the backs who used it to great effect and tore holes in the defence before running in the tries.

Tries were scored out wide by Chris Jaques, Jim Cumming and Rob Woods while Duncan Hesketh grabbed two tries by bashing through the centre. These lovely running tries were complemented by two scores off the back of the solid scrum and through the big Hove bodies in defence. The first was scored by Ben Taylor at his hung-over best. The last of the half was a brave score by colt number 8 Olli Robertshaw on his debut for the Boars.

By half time the heat was becoming a big factor with blisters coming up on many players feet. Hove found a number of replacements at half time and came out stronger for it. The Hove forwards used their bulk from the kick off and punched a hole in half hearted defence to score within 5 minutes. For the next 10 minutes the Boars struggled to re-assert themselves and came off second best all over the park. This led to 2 more Hove tries and moved the score to 17-37. Surely it was not possible that Hove could come back into it?

Jim Cumming was certainly not about to let that happen and from 30 metres out charged the centre of the Hove defence. It is a surprise to see a 2^nd row player sidestep once and Jim beat this by sidestepping twice before handing off two tacklers as he gained the line. This solo effort lifted the Boars spirits again and Chris Jaques ended the scoring late in the half when he finished off a move that had started in the opposite corner of the field. It was a great way to round off an excellent performance.

The Boars Man of the Match was Mike Brown who was always in the thick of it from blindside flanker.

Boars Team – M. MacLeod, J. Sharp, A. Sutton, T. Rose (D. Bazen – 40), J. Cumming, M. Brown, K. Lewis (S. Walker – 60), O. Robertshaw, B. Taylor, B. Burdett, D. Hesketh (P Squires – 55), S. Goatcher (O. Squires – 55), C. Jaques, S. Hollingdale, R. Woods.

Report by Mike MacLeod

4/14/2007 10:14:21 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

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)