Boars start league campaign with a win

The Boars started their league campaign with a hard fought win against ‘new boys’ Hastings 3’s. The Boars were deprived of 8 key players due to the rugby world cup (spectating rather than playing it must be said) and so were very grateful for support from colts Goatcher, Salmon and Bird and for late appearances from Willis and Watton.

The game was very even for a full 60 minutes before the Boars fitness began to tell and the Boars pulled away. The start was all the Boars could want as within 5 minutes Cumming broke from the back of a scrum and slashed through a sleeping defence to score. Then Wates got in on the action with a try before Hastings fought back for their number 8 to bludgeon over the line. The Boars answered about 10 minutes later with a flowing move that saw Joe Salmon score on his debut in senior rugby. The score remained 19-7 at half time with both teams happy that they were in with a shout of winning.

Hastings scored an early unconverted try to put the pressure back on the Boars but began to lose their way as their lack of fitness began to tell. The Boars ran in four more unopposed tries (from Cumming, Davies, Ellery and Squires – the latter dislocating his shoulder in the act of scoring) to put a favourable gloss on the scoreline.

The Boars were happy with their days work bar injuries to Lewis, Squires and Walker (the first two being serious) and Tony Wates was a deserved choice as Man of the Match.

Boars Team – M. Fellows, A. Sutton, C. Watton (P. Hookway – 55), M. MacLeod, S. Walker (B. Groves – 65), T. Wates, K. Lewis (D. Bird – 40), J. Cumming, D. Rhodes, S. Goatcher, A. Farrell, L. Willis, P. Squires (G. Ellery- 65), K. Davies, J. Salmon

Report by Mike MacLeod

9/15/2007 9:27:49 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Ghosts from last season were well and truly laid to rest when a highly competent and well motivated Heath field team dominated their opponents from first whistle to last. The score line should have been more impressive as only one of Heath field’s six tries was converted. The Greenies dominated up front with some excellent work in the lineout from Mark Walker and Paul Flood and won all the ball at the turnover through the strength and skill of their loose forward trio. Simon Wilson and the indefatigable Flood were outstanding as was George Leney who has returned to the club after coming down from University. Credit must also be given to two Heath field players who have returned to the first XV after long recovery periods from injury. Centre Matt Skinner was influential in a number of Heath field’s tries and tackled superbly. He is a talented player and will strengthen the squad. Richard Cooley is technically the best prop in the club and it is really good to see him back in action after some unlucky injuries over the past few years.

Heath field started the game with some fast and direct running using their powerful forwards with Rob Lawrence in the van to drive deep into Pulborough territory. The home side defended bravely but could not resist the all round power and skill of the visitors. After sustained pressure inside the Pulborough territory Heathfields backs created space on the right for new man Adam Tennant to cross for the first of his three tries. Adam has made an impressive start for his new club and showed touches of skill throughout the game. Fellow newcomer Ed Armah was also most impressive on the other wing. Both players will score a number of tries during the coming season.

Splendid work by Heath field’s forwards in the line out resulted in Mark Walker sniffling a Pulborough throw to feed Rob Lawrence to score. Adam Tennant then crossed again to give the Greenies a deserved 15-0 half time lead.

One of the strengths of Heath field this season is the overall strength of their squad which showed with coach Dave Jones choice of substitutes in the second half. After an excellent showing Richard Cooley was replaced by the formidable Dan Hunter-Evans and Seb Jones came on for Will Drinkwater. The chariot rolled on and Heath showed what a force they will be this season. The forwards drove forward providing much good ball for an excellent set of backs. The Greenies tackling was ferocious and Pulborough were simply not allowed into the match. Further tries came from Tennant, Armah and skipper Bryn Jones who charged down a clearance kick to score. This was a fine team effort which delighted the usual enthusiastic team of supporters who travelled to Pulborough.

Heath field play Hellingly in their next league fixture on 29^th September  

Report by Mike de St Croix

9/15/2007 5:46:47 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

On a day more suited to cricket than rugby, Heathfield entertained Uckfield at Cross-In-Hand in a first round match in the Sussex Shield competition.  As the first competitive game in the new season it was a chance to assess how the teams will fare over the winter and on this basis Heathfield have bright prospects but Uckfield may struggle.

The home side enjoyed a large proportion of possession thanks to a solid scrummage and impressive lineout – a testimony to the pre-season training.  They generally looked the better drilled side while Uckfield looked to be short of some key players and enough practise. Heathfield struggled to score at least partly because the visitors tackled doggedly – matches between these two teams have never lacked for competitive spirit.

After twenty minutes continuous pressure led to a messy situation on the Uckfield line just in front of the crowd on the well-filled clubhouse patio and Simon Wilson was thought to have scored.  However the ref had seen some obstruction and Uckfield were able to clear their lines.  Shortly afterwards however Bruce Pestell was able to crash over from another scrambling piece of play.

Then the home side managed to work the ball to new recruit Eddie Armah on the left wing and he evaded several tacklers to score under the posts for his first try at home for the club.  He looks likely to score many more as he becomes more integrated into the team.

Both previous conversions had been missed but Bryn Jones was now on target to convert a well-worked try by Seb Jones.

After half time the pattern was repeated as Heathfield had most of the possession but struggled to finish. Coach Dave Jones then substituted several players.  George Leney had made an impressive, combative first start for the team and was replaced by the ultimate utility player Levi Willis.  Seb Jones was replaced by Mike Hole and Richard Cooley made a welcome reappearance to allow Danny Hunter-Evans a rest from tormenting his opposite number.

However just after sixty minutes Heathfield were again pressuring the visitor’s line when Phil Rowlands, the experienced Uckfield player, suffered a broken collar-bone.  An ambulance had to be called and given the state of the game Uckfield conceded.  The game will not have to be replayed.  Phil’s injury was especially sad since he had only just returned to playing after recovery from the same type of injury.

Next Saturday 15^th September Heathfield travel to Pulborough for the first league match of the season. They will need no reminder of the slip-up in the same match last year.

Report by Phil Bell

9/8/2007 5:28:44 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

The Clubhouse will be open for all the England games during the forthcoming World Cup, and also for a lot of the other games as well. 

Ring Dave & Mel (01435 868747) for further information.

9/5/2007 5:50:53 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

March 07

£50 B Burdett

£25 D Hesketh

£10 P Jarvis

April 07

£50 M Hassall

£25 R Hodges

£10 A Cavers

May 07

£50 A Flint

£25 D Cooley

£10 D Rhodes

June 07

£50 B Taylor

£25 M de St Croix

£10 C Goddard

July 07

£50 W Hepworth

£25 R Streeter

£10 G Woods

8/27/2007 10:58:24 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

The Boars Are Back With A Win!

The Boars travelled to Newick for a friendly for the first time in years as our old foes in Sussex Division 3 east have elevated themselves to Division 2 east following the league reorganisation this year.

About 30 Newick players were warming up for the match in late summer sunshine and the Boars were a little nervous prior to kick off as it was clear that there were first team and colts mixing with the second team opposition they were promised. However Rob Streeter thumping into the Newick receiver straight from the kick put the Boars tails up and it was game on.

The Boars relatively lightweight pack put themselves about well and won enough ball to discover that the backs were interested too. However missed tackles led to a Newick try after about 15 minutes. Jack Bayley restored parity when he took a crash ball on a lovely angle that took him between the posts. Half time saw a lot of substitutions, mainly from the Newick camp.

Simon Hollingdale proved that he wants to retain his ‘Top Gun’ status when he took his only opportunity of the game early in the second half by beating two men in the 22 metre area to score in the corner. Dave Rhodes hit a great conversion.

Newick came back with a try on the wide right and their 13 put over the conversion to emulate Boars Man of the match Rhodes.

Following a quickly taken penalty Julian Wates spurned an overlap when he saw a gap in front of him 10 metres out and bullied his way over to score an unconverted try.

Newick again came back with a good forward move that saw them score by the posts with 3 minutes left to tie the game at 17 – 17.

The Boars got the decisive score when Tommy Kiwi made a great initial run to within 10 metres then good support recycled the ball out wide for Adam Farrell to cut back in and top off a very good personal performance by scoring. Rhodes converted and Heathfield weather the last 2 minutes of Newick pressure to gain a hard fought and very enjoyable first win of the season.

Newick proved great hosts and a BBQ was enjoyed by all who remembered that the Heathfield clubhouse was ‘closed’ for the evening.

Boars Team – Mike Fellows, Andy Sutton (Jason La Roche – 40), Joe Geesin (Bryn Groves – 40), Paul Hookway, Mike MacLeod, Ben Taylor, Kenny Lewis, Rob Streeter, Dave Rhodes, Brady Burdett (Julian Wates - 40), Tommy Kiwi, Adam Farrell, Simon Hollingdale, Keith Davies, Jack Bayley.
 

8/25/2007 9:45:46 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Heathfield & Waldron RFC recently presented cheques totalling £779.00 to the Demelza-James Hospice for Children.  The donation was half that raised during a lunch to celebrate the inclusion of Lady Vice Presidents within the Club, and a dinner that featured senior players cooking for and waiting on the Ladies. 

Club President Mike de St. Croix said “I am very happy that we are able to include Demelza-James in the Club’s fund-raising activities, and hope that we can add to this amount in the coming season.  Children are obviously very important to the Club, both now and in the future, so a children’s charity makes perfect sense”.

H&W RFC hope to host a tea for some of the children and their siblings from Demelza-James during a match when the new season starts, and also to publish and sell a Rugby Calendar for 2008, with half of the proceeds again going to Demelza-James.

For further information, please contact Debbie Green on 07742 585768

8/15/2007 5:02:42 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Hi Ladies and Gents,
 
In an effort to dress our stand at Le Marche this year, we'd like to display some player's and tour shirts, going back to the dark ages, and any suitable pics.
 
If anyone wants to loan us a shirt (preferably clean!) for this event, please make sure you pin a label  with your name and contact number on it to the inside of the shirt, and contact one of the following so we can collect it from you or from the club by Sunday August 19th latest.
 
Debbie Green debgreen112@hotmail.com, 07742 585768
Dave Rhodes dave.nrhodes@btopenworld.com
Steve Sherlock scsfoxrabbit@hotmail.com
 
If you want to help with manning/womanning the stand, please contact Steve Sherlock.
 
Looking forward to hearing from you.
 
Debbie G. 

8/8/2007 5:37:39 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)