Although this game did not produce a fast flowing rugby or many tries it was one of the closest and best games seen at Cross in Hand this season. Neither side was able to play much running rugby but the match was keenly contested by two powerful sets of forwards and two very solid defences. Heath field rarely concede more than the odd try in any of their matches and they thoroughly deserved this victory because they had marginally the better of the forward scrap and their magnificent defence denied Brighton the opportunity to score more than a solitary penalty goal.

It took a long time for either side to open the scoring but it was Brighton who did so late in the first half. By this time Brighton had set out their store with some good rucking and mauling.Heathfield were again superior in the tight thanks to their excellent front row with Richard Cooley on the tight head combining splendidly with hooker Rob Lawrence to take a number of scrums against the head. Simon Wilson’s return to the side at number 8 stabilised the greenies channelling and with George Leney having another excellent game the back row created may openings close to the breakdown. Soon after half time the Heath field forwards drove powerfully to the Brighton line for Rob Lawrence to score a try which was converted by Matt Skinner.Heathfield remained on top and mid way through the half scrum half Will Christian made a sniping run from good turnover possession. Shaking off a number of tackles he found big second row forward Kobe Tonkin in support and delivered a fine pass for Kobe to score an excellent try. The conversion was not made but Heath field had put themselves in a strong position and, hard as Brighton tried they were unable to threaten the home sides lead.

This was a fine game of tough and unrelenting rugby. Every side who play the league leaders are keen to be the ones to take their unbeaten record and Brighton looked one of the stronger sides in the league. However, well as they played, a solitary penalty was insufficient to match two well taken tries.

Heathfield continue their campaign when they play Crawley at home in the Semi-Final of the Sussex shield on 2^nd of February. They are therefore still in serious contention for a league and cup double but will receive a number of challenges from some good sides in the next few weeks.

Report by Mike de St Croix.

1/19/2008 12:07:53 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

The Boars did what they had to do and more in this table topping clash at Waldron and in doing so avenged their only league defeat of the season so far. It was probably the Boars best ever display of rugby as a very strong side were aggressive and organised in the forwards and incisive in the backs (well done to manager Tony Rose for getting everyone out on the same weekend).

The Boars won the important Waldron ‘toss’ and elected to stick with tradition and play uphill in the first half. This turned out to be a hard fought affair with the Boars taking their half chances while the visitors missed theirs.

Within 5 minutes Jim Cumming took advantage of an early lapse in tackling as he ran 20 metres to score a converted try then giving a classic Cumming excuse of “I just couldn’t pass”. It took 15 minutes of midfield battling before the next score. From a lineout on the Grinstead 22 metre line a very well controlled maul was moved 23 metres to the line for Ian Schleider to score. Shortly after that East Grinstead drove into the Boars 22 and won a penalty that they opted to kick and score. The game was still tight until Brady Burdett called for a move that saw full back Rob Woods hit the line at speed and glide untouched the 30 metres to score between the posts. This showed the threat that centres Duncan Hesketh and Julian Wates were posing as all the defenders had lined up to halt them as usual. This took the score to 19-3 at half-time.

The Boars half-time team talk was a reminder to stay focused and not to think the game was over just because we were leading going uphill. The second half began much as the first ended with heavy hits and not much width being used. Then substitute prop Nick Kerr burst through the defence to score after a scrum near the Pirates line.

East Grinstead fought back and pummelled the Boars line for a 10 minute spell before a breakaway try for Woods seemed to swing the game. The rest of the match saw a tiring East Grinstead side trying to contain a buoyant Boars side playing at the top of their game. The last 15 minutes saw two tries from Dave Cook, a second from Cumming and a solo effort from Burdett as the Boars counter attacked at every opportunity.

Man of the Match was Brady Burdett for a controlled performance that brought others into the game, winning a maul and for actually tackling the opposition players.

Boars Team – M. MacLeod (N. Kerr – 45), C. Jones (J. Sharp - 70), L. Marshall (A. Sutton – 60), J. Cumming (P. Hookway – 65), T. Rose, M. Brown (K. Lewis – 55), Ian Schleider, D. Cook, D. Rhodes, B. Burdett, J. Wates, D. Hesketh, S. Hollingdale (A. Farrell – 60), M. Barber (J. Salmon – 50), R. Woods

Match report by Mike MacLeod

1/19/2008 3:56:23 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

The side propping up the Sussex 1 League table visited the unbeaten league leaders on Saturday and gave Heath field a rude shock. The venue for the game was changed because the pitches at Burgess Hill were waterlogged. In spite of an excellent playing surface the game was a scrappy affair and a determined BH team gave their fancied opponents a severe examination.

Burgess Hill went close to scoring right at the end of the game at a time when full time should have been called and consequently Heath field only just escaped from the scrap with their record intact. Burgess Hill set out to stop the home side from getting into their stride and deserves every credit for so nearly achieving their aims. For their part Heath field allowed themselves to be disrupted and were frequently penalised for a range of unnecessary offences. They suffered two yellow cards whereas the majority of Burgess Hill offences escaped similar punishment.

Heath field opened the scoring after fifteen minutes when Bryn Jones received an inside pass on the Burgess Hill 22. He burst through several tackles and remaining on his feet used his considerable strength to force his way over for the first try of the match. Matt Skinner delighted himself and his skipper by converting sweetly from half way out.

The only other try of the match came after Heath field took a quick penalty after BH fell offside from a well executed cross kick. The backs handled well but Damien Pestell needed his power to finish the move and cross the try line. This try was not converted. Shortly before half time Burgess hill converted a penalty from almost in front of the posts to make the half time score 12-3 in favour of the home side.

Burgess Hill started the second half at a furious pace and put the Greenies to the sword in lineout and loose.Heathfield however were superior in the tight throughout the game and took a number of strikes against the head. By fair means or foul the Burgess Hill back row and particularly their scrum half disrupted any good ball won by Heath field and the home side’s distribution was as poor in this game as it had been good the week before. But great credit must go to Burgess Hill and with tremendous spirit they were in the game right until the final whistle.

This result will interest the sides who are due to play the leaders in the next few weeks, not least Brighton who will be at Cross in hand this Saturday, Kick off 2.15.

Report by Mike de St. Croix

1/12/2008 4:37:34 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

The Boars worked hard for this victory over their local rivals. The game was competitive well into the second half before the Boars racked up enough points to relax and play expansive rugby.

The game started with the Boars under pressure but a good kick from Brady Burdett gave a lineout 15 metres out which the Boars caught, controlled and drove a maul over the Uckfield line only for an unsighted referee to deny the try. The Boars then pressure the Uckfield line for the next 5 minutes without success against stout defence until Burdett faced with few options decided to try a drop goal. It sailed ‘Wilkinson like’ over the crossbar to cheers from the Boars.

Uckfield rallied for the next few minutes until the Boars managed to push up field where Uckfield gave away a penalty in front of the posts which Burdett duly kicked.
The rest of the half was nip and tuck with both sides having opportunities which they squandered A decisive blow was struck just before half time by Simon Hollingdale; Julian Wates chipped a ball into space behind the Uckfield defence and Twinkle Toes beat the full back to the ball, hacking the loose ball on and then winning the footrace to touch the ball down for a try. This brought the score to 11-0 at half time and with it the feeling that the next score could be crucial.

The Boars had a good team talk and came out fired up. From the kick off pressure was put on the Uckfield forwards and when the ball was released the Boars backs took over with Burdett making several of his trade mark sidesteps, making several Uckfield players looking like bairns, clutching at thin air before feeding full back Mike Barber who joined in on the overlap not only to score but to score between the posts where Duncan Hesketh converted. Further Boars pressure shortly afterwards led to a poor Uckfield clearance kick being caught by Mike Shallcross who then evaded several tackles during a jinking run that ended with him scoring between the posts and converting his own try.

Uckfield began to force the game at this point to try and avoid the whitewash that faced them. This tactic allowed the Boars to feed off any errors and counterattack whenever the opportunity arose. The best try of the match followed. Quick hands through the backs saw Hesketh put winger Jake Donnebaer in space, he evaded several tackles before popping the ball back to the supporting Hesketh, who then returned the favour, Donnebaer sped through the remaining defenders finally passing out of the last tackle to flanker Ian Schleider who made the final 10 metres to tap down between the posts for an easily converted try.

With their tails up the Boars played good rugby and Dave Cook broke several tackles to score off the base of a scrum. This was followed by a Burdett try, Julian Wates  taking a pop from Burdett broke through the defence on the half way line, after breaking several more tackles Wates passed to Dave Cook who in turn passed to the supporting Burdett to score.

with several Uckfield players looking like bairns as they collected dummies.

The final try was a solo effort by Donnebaer as he collected a loose Uckfield cross field kick on his own 22 and backed himself for pace to outstrip a worn out Uckfield defence.

The Boars next league match is against East Grinstead 3’s at Waldron on the 19th January and is likely to decide the destination of the division 3 league title.

Man of the Match was Chris Jones for an outstanding performance at hooker despite dislocating a thumb early in the match.

Boars Team – M. MacLeod, C. Jones, A. Sutton, P. Hookway, T. Rose, A. Farrell (S. Walker – 40), Ian Schleider (D. Bird – 60), J. Cannella (D. Cook – 40), L. Keylock, B. Burdett, J. Wates, D. Hesketh, S. Hollingdale (K. Davies – 65), M. Shallcross, M. Barber (J. Donnebaer – 45)

Match report by Mike MacLeod

1/7/2008 5:19:43 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heath field travelled to East Grinstead last Saturday trailing their closest rivals by two points and having an inferior point’s difference. They returned to Cross in Hand as outright league leaders with a superior points difference. This reversal came about because the Greenies struck a rich vein of form and quite simply demolished a good East Grinstead side with a display of scintillating rugby.

The foundations for this victory were laid by the Heath field forwards. The front row of Cooley, Lawrence and the ever youthful Evans dominated their opposition from the first scrum and also played superbly in the loose. Behind them Rob Streeter had another blistering game alongside the rapidly improving Kobe Tonkin and the back row trio of Wilson, Leney and Pestell proved that they have no superiors as a unit in the county. The amount of ball they turned over and their tackle count was prodigious.Rob Fiford maintained the excellence of the trio when he joined the fray. 

The game began well for Heath field with Mike Hole making a powerful run down the right wing from far out for his wing partner Adam Tennant to receive the scoring pass for the first of his haul of five tries. At this point the home side responded energetically and Heath field had to defend bravely for a long period. Having survived the early pressure Heath field broke clear again and quick passing down the line saw Tennant scoring again in the corner. Realising this was his day Adam, who has been an ever present for the Greenies in his first season at the club, capitalised on a heal against the head by the front row to complete his hat trick before half time. Heath field turned round 15-0 ahead and the writing was on the wall. Bruce Pestell was in discomfort from a back injury and was replaced at half time by the promising Rob Fiford.

Having moved comfortably ahead at half time the excellent Heath field XV hit top form from the start of the second half and maintained the pressure on their opponents until the final whistle. It was superb fifteen man rugby with every player including the bench replacements playing at the top of their game. The large Heath field group of supporters were treated to possibly the best all round performance by their side since they entered league rugby. Before Adam Tennant added his fourth try the Heath field forwards decided to score a strictly forwards try with one of the sides leading point scorers Rob Lawrence claiming the touchdown. Seb Jones had replaced Mike Hole and the formidable Dan Hunter Evans replaced Richard Cooley for the final ten minutes. These two young props are playing superbly and some of Richard Cooley’s defensive work was outstanding.

The all round domination resulted in the  Heath field backs running in their tries with two and three man overlaps ceated by strong running and good handling by the half backs and centres. Will Christian had a good game against another talented scrum half and Heath`s powerful midfield trio of  Bryn Jones, Damien Pestell and Matt Skinner overwhelmed their highly rated opposite numbers. Adam Tennant however crowned his afternoon by scoring a solo try from the ten metre line before Rob Fiford added the final try to take Heath field past the 40 point mark. Clearly East Grinstead had “a bad day at the office” but Heath field deserve every accolade for a wonderful performance and the game was well refereed and was played in good spirit by all the players. In conclusion this performance proved how well this Heath field side is coached by Dave Jones and what a happy and motivated squad he has developed.

Report by Mike de St. Croix.

1/5/2008 12:48:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Great End to Year for Rugby Girls

H3 U15 girls’ rugby team ended 2007 with an impressive 85-0 win over South Sussex at Hastings on Sunday.

Excellent teamwork denied South Sussex opportunities to make sustained attacks and determined defence on all parts of the field ensured H3 kept a clean sheet. Hard work at training paid off with H3 forwards showing particular strength at rucks and whenever the ball fell loose.  This allowed their backs to demonstrate their speed, with several tries run from inside the South Sussex 22.  Six different names appeared on the score sheet, demonstrating the depth of talent within the H3 side.  Try scorers were Debs Harwood, Nina Crowther, Katie Bauer, Georgia Gale and Mel Ruffel, with Laura Baker and Debs Harwood converting 9 of those tries.

12/18/2007 4:41:40 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

The Boars continue their good run of form with a solid win over their local rivals. The Boars started slowly following the stag night of Boars Captain Kenny Lewis and paid the penalty early. Burdett threw a pass that resembled a wounded pigeon and while trying to deal with this mess Hesketh passed to a grateful opponent who ran in to score between the posts for a converted try. The boars also had to sort out a misfiring scrum which contained four who were sweating pure alcohol from the night before.

A bit of normal service was resumed as the Boars forwards began to win the ball at the breakdowns and grind forward. From this platform the backs began to string passes together and Hesketh made hard yards up the middle, offloaded to Julian Wates who rode the last two tackles to score between the posts and allow Rhodes to convert. Hellingly were then unlucky to have a man sin-binned for persistent infringement and even they were surprised when they went over for a converted try during this period.

The next score looked critical and the Boars got it as the controlled a maul near the halfway line scrumhalf Rhodes sensed that the Hellingly defence had overcommitted and made a blindside break and as he was tackled found Tony Wates on his shoulder for a try. This seemed to settle the team and a more stable platform was found from which to pressure the Hellingly defence into mistakes. Good work on the left led to a penalty 10 yards out. Rhodes took the quick tap and spun the ball right where it went quickly through hands to allow Hollingdale to beat a stretched defence to score in the corner. So this brought up half time with the score at 17-12 to the Boars.

The second half saw fresh legs added in the form of a number of Colts who added vim and vigour to the advantage of playing downhill and Hellingly were made to defend for most of the half. The Boars pack had by now sorted out their issues (sweated out the alcohol?) and were winning ball cleanly and from this platform the backs swept into action. Julian Wates and Burdett scored good tries before the colts took over with Dorrill and Neil ? both scoring before Julian wates scored his third and final try. This rounded of a fine match for the Boars and kept the pressure on East Grinstead at the top of the league.

The funniest moment of the match was when big Julian Wates was ‘interacting’ with an opponent after a ruck and a voice piped up “Oi! That’s my little brother so leave him alone”. Julian and opponent were left helpless with laughter at such a show brotherly love.

Man of the Match was Duncan Hesketh who often broke the defensive line to allow others to score and put in the big tackles to halt the opposition attacks.

Boars Team – M. MacLeod, T. Wates, A. Sutton, P. Hookway, T. Rose, N. Wood (S. Dorrill – 40), Ian Schleider, J. Parsons (D. Bird – 60), D. Rhodes, B. Burdett (L. Keylock), J. Wates, D. Hesketh, S. Hollingdale (J. Donnebaer – 40), N. Huxter (K. Davies – 60), M. Barber

Match report by Mike MacLeod

12/18/2007 1:57:07 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

This match was always going to prove to be one of our most difficult away matches logistically due to the distance to travel and the proximity to Christmas. With player numbers dwindling rapidly during the week, Heathfield were able to field 16 players for what had the potential of being a very hard fixture. As it happened a further 3 players dropped out on the morning of the match leaving a 13 man team and one of those players suffering a heavy cold!

The match started with a hugely re-jigged team and two “borrowed” players from Bognor… and it started with a bang! From the kick-off, Heathfield pressured the Bognor forwards and the backs ran a few successful moves ending with a scrum on the Bognor 10 metre line. A great scrum followed allowing Greg Pearce, playing No. 8 for the first time, to peel blind. This sucked in the covering defence and a good inside pop to Fergus Diplock, again playing in a new position for Heathfield allowed him to break the last cover and score close to the corner. This try was brilliantly converted by Harry Reilly.

Then followed a period of about 15 minutes of sustained pressure from Bognor with attack after attack being repelled by some superb defensive tackling and rucking from the back row of Greg Pearce, Max Ellery and Jasper Wrenn. As soon as Bognor tried to move the ball wide, thumping tackles were made in the backs by Harry Reilly, George Bending and particularly Henry Jolliffe. Indeed, during this phase pf play, Bognor managed to cross the Heathfield line twice, knocking on once in a heavy tackle in the process of scoring and being held up by the forwards on the second occasion. Just when it looked like Heathfield would eventually leak a try, Heathfield managed to steal ruck ball and feed Henry Jolliffe just short of the Heathfield try-line. Henry beat the first tackle and then it was a straight footrace between him and the very speedy Bognor fullback. A well timed hand-off from Henry allowed him to fend off the attempted tackle and stroll in the final 30 metres to score under the posts. Harry easily making the conversion. There followed a period of good attacking play by both teams to provide a very entertaining first half with Heathfield leading 14 – 0.

The second half started in the same vein as the first ended with both sides playing fast entertaining rugby with nether side able to gain dominance. Heathfield managed to post the next score again from a defensive position close to their own line. A penalty conceded by Bognor allowed Harry Reilly to clear to the 10 metre line. The subsequent lineout was won by Heathfield (as were most lineouts throughout the match) and a series of backs moves and great ball retention from the forwards saw George Bending able to clear the last Bognor defender and dot the ball down close to the posts. Harry Reilly again converting to take the score to 21 – 0.

Then followed a bit of pantomime from the re-start with the kick not going 10 metres. Whilst the entire Bognor team were static watching the ball, quick thinking from Henry Jolliffe saw him collect the ball at full pace and beat the defence without a hand being laid on him, to score under to the posts. Harry converted tacking the score to 28 - 0.

Bognor looked deflated at this point but credit to them for fighting back to again come close to scoring with the Heathfield defence still having to work hard to keep Bognor at bay. Heathfield managed to work their way upfield again through a series of excellent clearances from Harry Reilly and great ball retention from the forwards. Eventually, Heathfield were awarded a penalty on the half-way line which Harry tapped to himself and then placed a great cross-field kick for Jasper, Henry J. and Callum Cuming to chase down. The ensuing ruck was hit by a phalanx of Heathfield forwards arriving at pace to clear out allowing Henry J. to pick up through the middle of the ruck and break clear to score. Harry Riley finally missed this conversion leaving the match score at 33 – 0.

All-in-all a hugely entertaining game of rugby, played on an excellent pitch (given the recent weather!) and in superb spirit. Man of the match for the forwards was well contested by a number of players but in the end goes to Max Ellery for putting in a great performance when he shouldn’t have even been playing and to Fergus Diplock for some sterling work behind his forwards and against a perpetually offside opponent! Henry Jolliffe gets a very honourable mention for his 3 tries, great tackling, brilliant running and for being the first Heathfield U13 player to throw-up during a game, be taken off and then come back for more!!!

12/17/2007 4:03:18 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

The final league game of the season saw the Heathfield Development team still at the top of the table but facing one of their toughest fixtures so far against a strong Hastings side.  Hastings set their stall out early in the game and despite concerted Heathfield pressure the Hastings’ defence was well organised and robust.  In fact despite sustained Heathfield pressure with 35 minutes of the first half gone they only had 2 missed penalty kicks to show for it.  However by then the continued pressure from the Heathfield forwards and repeated drives towards the Hastings line took its toll.  Hastings conceded another 5-yard scrum and after good driving work, a break off by the back row then Jack Bayley and Mike Jacques, wriggled over for a score.  Both had hold of the ball at the time, so I suppose the try should go down to Jacques Bayley.  Sam Goatcher got the all-important conversion.

The second half was an even more competitive affair with the match getting niggly and Hastings conceding penalty after penalty, but Heathfield could never quite get it together to make them pay.  The backs never really got the space to make their pace tell and the forwards despite excellent ball carries by Nick Evans and Ollie Robertshaw couldn’t totally dominate Hastings.  Heathfield were not able to cross the try line again although they came close, though Goatcher did get 2 more penalties to put some distance between the sides.  Danny Basen made an excellent try saving tackle on one of Hastings few forays into the Heath half and overall this was a well-deserved hard fought victory.  Man of the match was Jack Bayley who defended stoutly and popped up all over the pitch constantly putting Hastings under pressure.  Next game is the 5th Jan, this sees the second team signing off the year top of the table. 

12/17/2007 3:59:46 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Although the weather was bitterly cold the annual Christmas derby between these closely linked clubs capped a splendid occasion at Cross in Hand last Saturday. The Heath field Vice Presidents with their guests from Uckfield enjoyed a sumptuous Christmas meal before the Club’s principal Sponsor WRIGHTSURE INSURANCE received their new pitch side banners from Heathfield President Mike de St Croix.

The game was as always keenly contested and the young Uckfield side not only shocked their opponents who remain unbeaten in the league but came away with great credit having defended bravely and having played some spirited rugby. They only needed one goal to snatch a victory which would have spoiled the carnival atmosphere for their hosts.

As is their custom Heathfield started slowly and conceded early penalties which were gratefully converted by Uckfield. With mistakes being made by both sides it seemed likely that Uckfield could hold their slender 6-0 lead until half time. But then as the final quarter of the half approached Heathfield struck twice with excellent tries. First Bryn Jones the Greenies inspirational skipper burst strongly through some flimsy Uckfiel tackling to score near the posts from some way out. The conversion was missed but soon after the Heathfield backs played some of the rugby that has marked their success this season and full back Thewlis completed a move from the three quarters to add a second try which Jones converted. These two tries turned out to be crucial and gave the home side a half time lead of 17-6.

Heathfeld`s supporters expected the score line to be doubled in the second half in their sides favour  Uckfield had other ideas and their smaller forwards competed ferociously while their backs always looked dangerous. Far from Heathfield drawing further ahead Uckfield scored the only try in the second half when their tight head prop found himself on the wing where he completed an excellent spell of play by his side to score a fine try. This try lifted the Uckfield team who continued to make life difficult for the favourites until the final minutes.

While the score in this match, which was played in the best of spirits, was a fair reflection on the game it must be said that Heathfield will need to tidy up aspects of their game after Christmas if they are going to take the Sussex League 1 title outright. An analysis of their games would show that they start slowly and concede too many penalties especially early in the game. They need to improve their place kicking and they need to be more ruthless when they are dominating. On Saturday they spent the majority of the second half in their opponents 22 without scoring and lost the ball in the act of scoring more than once. But no one is perfect and this is a very good and happy side, superbly coached and marvellously supported. They have already played some wonderful rugby and will continue to do so in 2008.

Report by Mike de St Croix

12/15/2007 12:07:20 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Baby Boars beat Hastings

The Boars went to Hastings for a top of the table clash full of apprehension and doubt yet returned elated and victorious. Much of the credit must go to the 6 young men from the Colts team who stepped up and out fought their much larger opponents. You know what to expect from a Hasting & Bexhill team. You get a committed hard working pack of large forwards with limited flair in the back division. This means you have to match them upfront or endure a match with very little possession.

The Boars arrived unable to field a legal front row so the scrums were uncontested from the start and a 10 point penalty ensued. Hastings opted to play into the wind and rain in the first half which added to the Boars need to score points. In very poor conditions there were plenty of mistakes and unforced errors from both sides but most of the play was taking place in the Hastings half as Burdett pinned the Blues down with some good kicking and some tricky runs. The Boars forwards were working well and Hastings found that their only effective weapon was the rolling maul. The Boars forwards worked to deny them that weapon by putting the runners down quickly.

Halfway through the first period a Burdett break created space on the right and a well timed pass put debutant Jake Donnebaer away for a score in the corner. This heartened the Boars and belief seemed to spread throughout the team. The only real drama in the rest of the half came when Hastings battered their way over the line and the referee awarded a try. This was overturned when it was politely pointed out that the line in question was the 5 metre line.  Unfortunately Burdett went off at this point to be replaced by Woods.

The second half began much as the first ended with the wind providing an advantage and Hastings pounding at the Boars defensive line. The arrival of Robertshaw at number 8 added a new vigour to the Boars as he put in crunching tackles and chased kicks.

Veteran scrum half Dave Rhodes began to run the show when the Boars were in possession and Hollingdale almost scored off a quickly taken tap penalty. Then from another Hollingdale burst up the right the Boars forwards retained the ball and Rhodes spun it into the path of Woods who timed his run beautifully to score between the posts. Woods converted the try to take the Boars to 12-0 on the pitch but only a slender 2 point lead after the uncontested penalty was added.

Hastings rumbled back and 10 minutes later had produced a 25 metre rolling maul to score near the posts. Crucially the kick was pushed wide but the Boars were still 3 points behind.

With 15 minutes to go a ball was won on the halfway line and spun left where Donnebaer and Huxter were up against a single defender. Huxter drew the defender before passing to Donnebaer who backed himself for pace and went on to score in the corner. The Boars were back in front with 15 minutes to go.

Hastings threw all they had at the Boars (and this seemed to include several 2nd team players who were available after their game had been called off) but this largely consisted of crash balls around the fringes and these were dealt with by some brave Boars defence plus some big clearances from Woods. The rain turned to sleet as the light faded but it was the Hastings hopes of winning the game that were ended when the referees whistle went and the Boars and their band of supporters who celebrated.

This was one of the sweetest victories ever tasted by the Boars and doing so with 6 youngsters (Bird, Cannella, Dorrill, Robertshaw, Donnebaer and Salmon) shows the strength in depth of the Heathfield & Waldron club and gives great hope for the future.

Every Boars player can hold their heads high but Man of the Match was Joe Cannella for a gutsy and dynamic performance in his first senior match.

Boars Team – M. MacLeod, D. Bird, P. Hookway (S. Walker -60), J. Cannella, T. Rose, S. Dorrill (O. Robertshaw – 40), K. Lewis, T. Wates, D. Rhodes, B. Burdett (R. Woods – 35), S. Hollingdale (J. Henry – 75), L. Willis, K. Davies (Nick Huxter – 40), J. Donnebaer, J. Salmon

Match report by Mike MacLeod

12/3/2007 11:23:49 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)