In Heathfields’ development team 2^nd game of the league campaign they had to return from a disappointing defeat from the first game, and oh how they did it.  Lewes arrived with just 14 players and were provided with a Heathfield player midway through the first half when it was realised a cricket score was in the offing.  Heathfield fielded a strong mixture of youth and experience in their team and the blend of experience, pace and organisation was just too much for the under strength Lewes team.

Right from the start the sniping runs and pacey breaks of Mike Jacques at scrum half worried Lewes, he squeezed over for a try in the first 3 minutes, then set up Sam Goatcher for a try after breaking from his own half several minutes later, Goatcher duly converted his own try.  There followed concentrated pressure by Heathfield with Ross Reilly going over for his first try from a move he started at fullback after collecting a wayward kick and Levi Willis bagging a hat trick of tries before half time.  Goatcher converted 2 of the tries.   As the half time whistle blew Heathfield were 41 – 0 up with Jim Cummings going over for his first try just before the break.

The second half continued on in much the same fashion with Jim Cummings and Ross Reilly getting another 2 tries each to make their hat tricks, Levi Willis another to make it 4 for the day and Mike Brown squirming under the posts for the final try of the match.  An assorted group of players made 4 conversions and the match finished with Heathfield scoring another 33 unanswered points.  Even though this was a game against an under strength side there’s no doubt the talent in this development team are going to be pushing for places in the first team in the Future. No Man of the match was awarded because of the excellent all round team performance.  With no game next week, the team look forward to a tough cup game in 2 weekends time against Chichester.

Report by Shaun Hipgrave

9/29/2007 5:45:06 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Conditions were perfect for this Sussex Division I match between near-neighbours.  There was little wind, some cloud, no rain and the pitch at Cross-In-Hand is now in magnificent condition.

Hellingly were promoted from Sussex Division II last year and on the basis of this match they look likely to be competitive at this level.  However they were immediately handicapped by the loss of their tight-head prop in the first scrum with a jarred neck and were under steady pressure from the home side with successive attacks on both wings.  On three occasions within a few minutes a Heathfield player crossed the line only to be recalled for a forward pass.

At such moments frustration can begin to upset concentration but eventually Bruce Pestell and then Matt Skinner scored fine tries after good handling moves and it began to look as though a comfortable win was likely. 

Possibly the key moment in the game now occurred as a Hellingly centre was binned for ten minutes.  Bryn Jones converted the ensuing penalty and thereafter Heathfield continued to spread their good possession wide with more home tries looking imminent.  However scores came at the other end as Hellingly seized on two perhaps telegraphed passes to score interception tries, one of which was converted, even though they were still a man short at the time.

With the score at 15-12 Hellingly now had their best period of the game as they spent long periods in the home team half.  Just before half time the visitors missed an easy penalty which would have tied the scores and the home supporters were looking uneasy.

Initially in the second half it looked as though Hellingly would continue to threaten but gradually the home team took control again.  Rob Lawrence stretched an arm out over the line but was adjudged to have made a second movement.  However Will Drinkwater soon scored an excellent try under the posts. Lee Vockins was now replaced by Nick Cherry and Richard Cooley gave way to the veteran and much appreciated Rob Streeter.

The home lineout and scrum had a good day generally and Heathfield had plentiful possession.  The best try of the day was now initiated by Eddie Armah who floated a delightful pass to Adam Tennant who made useful ground before putting Bryn Jones in. Then Damien Pestell matched his brother’s try following a quick tap and break by Nick Cherry and with Bryn Jones converting four out of the five tries the score was now a healthy 36-12.

Just as the home supporters were anticipating even more points Hellingly again burgled an interception and collected their third try.  Few observers could remember three interception tries in one game. However Heathfield were in no mood for further upsets and that was the final score in the game.

Report by Phil Bell

9/29/2007 11:21:31 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Heathfield U 13's kicked off their first match of the season with a friendly against local side Crowborough and were allowed to play on the main 1st team pitch.

Harry Reilly, after 5 minutes, put the first 3 points on the board after Crowborough were penalised for a high tackle and after this the game was dominated by some excellent forward play that helped Harry Reilly to pressure Crowborough with effective set pieces. At one stage, Heathfield went through seven phases of uninterrupted play where the ball was handled by virtually the whole team. Jasper Wren, Henry Ross and Jamie Wardle were highly effective in the scrum and Crowborough were not allowed to get into the game by Heathfield. The partnership between scrum half Kieran Burdett and Harry Reilly at fly Half is proving to be extremely effective and pressure kicking put Crowborough on the back foot. Unfortunately Heathfield lost Henry Jolliffe early on who retired from the game injured after having already proved his pace.

Jamie Wardle scored the first try from a quickly taken tap-penalty close to the Crowborough line. and ten minutes later, Wardle again tapped quickly from a similar position and found Henry Ross who ran a spirited sprint to touch down the first of his two tries.  The conversion was ably converted from wide out. Jack Koops and Callum Cuming are proving to both have the pace for some deft kicks that tested the Crowborough defence. Jamie Wardle scored the third try with some breathtaking footwork to evade Crowborough's last defence, following some good handling by the backs, once again successfully converted.

After this it was the forwards who once more took the game by the scruff of the neck and just would not let the ball go, dominating the mauls and rucks with gutsy determination and it was from one such ruck that Henry Ross peeled way and took a brilliant angle to score Heathfield's final try.

This was a hugely enjoyable match to watch with both sides playing extremely positive rugby and Crowborough were rewarded with a try and conversion in the last few minutes after putting up a dogged and spirited performance.

The whole Heathfield team supported each other, put in some crunching tackles and Adam Davies, Max Ellery and Dean Pennell were constantly at any breakdown and Louis Chavannes, Isaac Brown and Freddie Jones all played important parts insuring that the Heathfield defence was not breached. Man of the match for Heathfield in the backs was Fergus Diplock at inside centre, who tackled, rucked and ran tirelessly all game, with Jamie Wardle given the Forwards award, thanks to his 2 tries and aggressive tackling.

This was Heathfield's first match on a full pitch and the sides stamina and fitness and general positive rugby and teamwork augur well for an interesting season ahead!

9/23/2007 8:16:00 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Boars exit Salver competition

The Boars crashed out of the Salver competition to a team quite capable of winning the competition this year. Brighton fielded a well drilled and capable young team (many were colts only last year) who used their energy and raw pace to good effect.

The Boars pre match tactics were to keep it tight and use the weight and experience of their forwards to best effect (the Boars were on average twice the age and half again as heavy as Brighton and not all the extra weight was muscle). This worked to a certain extent but back fired after 10 minutes when this tactic was tried on the Boars own 22 and the ball was lost and Brighton took the chance to spin it wide and score an unconverted try.

The Boars fought back into their opponents 22 and Burdett called a backs move which caught the Brighton team off guard and Woods cut a great line to score between the posts. Willis used a drop kick to convert and put the Boars ahead.

The second Brighton score was down to a Boars mistake when Willis failed to collect a high clearance kick and the bounce favoured the speedy Brighton backs. From this point the Boars were chasing the game as Brighton realised they could kick to turn their much older opponents and feed off any errors. This led to 2 further tries before half time as the fleet footed youngsters’ eluded tackles or ran round their opposite number to score out wide. This brought up a 26-7 half time and the Boars tried to regroup.

The second half was a closer contest as the Boars eliminated many mistakes and used the wind to gain territory before the forwards tried to dominate their smaller opponents. Brighton score a breakaway try before Jim Cumming finished off at the end of a sustained period of Boars pressure by breaking through the middle of a stretched defensive line and Woods converted. The Boars huffed and puffed but failed to score again despite spells where they battered the Brighton line. Brighton had the final laugh when they again sprinted away to score after winning turnover ball to make the final score 40-12.

Boars Man of the Match was Jack Bayley who matched the Brighton lads for speed and agility but he could not win the game on his own.

Boars Team – B. Togher, C. Jones, C. Watton (R. Burdett – 20), J. Parsons, T. Rose, T. Wates, J. Bayley, J. Cumming, D. Rhodes, B. Burdett (M. MacLeod – 60), D. Hesketh (P. Hookway - 55), A. Farrell, L. Willis (K. Davies – 50), S. Hollingdale, R. Woods

Report by Mike MacLeod

9/22/2007 9:30:03 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

Boars 60 vs. East Grinstead 3’s 5

The Boars seem to love playing against East Grinstead. The rugby is usually good, clean and hard fought and the Boars have formed a habit of winning well. In this game the Boars seemed to have the edge in all areas bar the scrum and took their chances clinically while denying East Grinstead many opportunities.

The Boars won the toss and elected to play up the slope hoping to enjoy the benefits in the second half. This seemed to work well as Cook blasted over for a try within 10 minutes to be followed 5 minutes later by a Woods trademark elegant line through a fragmenting defence.

So far so good but the Boars took the foot of the accelerator and began to coast only to be woken up by a East Grinstead score as their big forwards rumbled over.

The Boars fought back and gained the East Grinstead 22 metre line where they were awarded a penalty. Surprisingly the Boars had practiced a set piece before the game and it paid off handsomely when Jim Cumming finished off a move he started 4 phases before. This left time for the best bit of rugby of the half when Lewis stole lineout ball on the Boars 5 metre line, the backs swept it out right where Hollingdale blasted 40 metres up the hill, it was recycled twice and came to Rhodes who put in a lovely delicate chip kick to the left where Woods was waiting to collect and score (just like they do in internationals). This took the tally to a comfortable 24-5 to the Boars at half time.

The Boars took advantage of the slope to make the game rather one sided in the second half as they ran in 6 tries and converted three of them. There was a Cook classic pick up and drive from the base of a scrum, a sublime finish by Farrell, two weaving runs for Bayley, a familiar bullocking blast from ‘Twinkletoes’ Hollingdale and a 40 metre sprint by Jaques to bring up a final score of 60-5. Much credit must go to East Grinstead team spirit for the way they stayed in the game and kept plugging away against a strong Boars team.

Man of the Match was Jim Cumming for being everywhere at the right time but he was pushed hard by the ‘Bionic Boy’ Dave Rhodes who is enjoying his 5th decade of rugby thanks to a good surgeon and an understanding wife.

Boars Team – M. MacLeod (B. Togher – 55), C. Jones, J. Geesin (J. Bayley – 40), J. Parsons, T. Rose (S. Walker – 60), J. Cumming, K. Lewis (R. Streeter – 40), D. Cook, D. Rhodes, B. Burdett, Julian Wates, A. Farrell (D. Hesketh – 50), M. Barber (M. Jaques – 60), S. Hollingdale, R. Woods

9/19/2007 9:22:44 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)     

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)