This Heathfield side have never beaten Hove but all that changed at Cross-in-Hand on Sunday.

Heathfield took the lead after 10 minutes with a well taken penalty by Mike Abbott but neither side were able to dominate and the game was a very stop start affair. However mid way through the half, the ball travelled down the Hove backs and following a few weak tackles they went over to take the lead. The conversion was kicked to make the score 3-7.

Heathfield rallied and started to string some phases together. Every time Hove gained possession, the back row of Ben Darcy, Matt Halls and Greg Salmon got amongst them, causing problems and Hove were unable to get any continuity.

The rucking of the home side was also excellent, particularly Larry Platt, Tom Watkins and Alex Scott who turned over the visitors on several occasions. Hooker Tom Keylock also had an excellent game, on any loose ball.

From a ruck on Hove's 22, a cleverly orchestrated backs move saw centre Charlie Dagwell burst onto the ball and dive over. Abbott slotted the conversion. Heathfields tails were up !  Minutes later, following great aggressive tackling by Halls, Hove conceded a scrum close to their line. Captain Darcy passed to right wing Ash Sutton who dived in at the corner.

Just before half time a brilliant drop goal by the Hove fly half brought the score back to 15-10.

It was all Heathfield in the second half though with strong running and excellent hands particularly by Wings Wayne Granich and Sutton, saw good yardage gained. Clever "pick and go's" by Scott, Keylock and Darcy meant that the Hove back row were always occupied and this gave the Heathfield backs more time and space. Fraser Rogers came on in the second row and he immediately got into the game by wrapping up one of the Hove centres and carried him 10 yards up the field

A long kick by Abbott forced the Hove defence to kick out and from the resulting lineout another clever move resulted in Oli Hancock with half his own pack behind him, drive him over for a much needed score.

The confidence in the Heathfield side was now for all to see. Another backs move saw Jeremy Burdett side step and jink his way 30 yards right through the heart of the Hove defence and the ruck was formed. The ball was recyled and Larry Platt was on hand to drive over and score the fourth try to earn the much needed bonus point. It also sealed a wonderful win and keeps the Heathfield U16s in the title chase.

Match Report by Bradley Bundett

1/27/2008 5:47:42 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

The second league game of 2008 saw Heathfield still sitting pretty at the top of the league table, however an away trip to Newick could have proved tricky.  The game started with Heath playing into a strong wind and having to run everything, something that both the Heathfield wingers took full advantage of.

In the first couple of minutes a strong run by Levi Willis on the right wing saw him put Heathfield in the lead with a touchdown in the corner.  Both sets of forward were contesting a hard fought game, but Heath knew if they could move the ball quickly their backs would capitalise.  Dave Groom on the left wing scored two quick tries first with good ball passed down the backline, then from a quick tap penalty by Jack Bayley who offloaded to Dave in the tackle.

Imbetween the tries Newick scored a penalty, and the half ended with Heathfield 20-3 up.  The second half saw Heathfield pick the pace up with the forwards making some excellent runs especially from the skipper Jim Cummings and back row Simon Green.  The pressure told and there was a typical Jack Bayley try, picking up a loose ball and running half the length of the pitch to score and a Jim Cummings try from a quick tap penalty running half a yard to score.  Sam Goatcher converted both tries.  There continued more pressure on the Newick line and the fitness of the Heath pack was taking its toll on Newick who conceded a penalty try after persistent infringement, Goatcher converted.

With 15 minutes to go it was good to see a familiar face introduced from the replacements bench, Joe Reilly started his first game back after a long injury lay off.  He was quickly into the action and then a flowing forwards and backs move saw quick ball go out to Goatcher who threw an outrageous dummy and cut inside the defence to score under the posts, he converted to take the score to 48-3.  The score line was flattering and Newick made it a hard fought game, however another W sees the development team stay top of the league.

Match Report by Shaun Hipgrave

1/26/2008 5:44:21 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

The Boars travelled to Hastings to play the ‘new boys’ of Cinque Ports without a tight head prop or obvious front row replacement. Veteran second row converted to loose head prop Mike MacLeod offered to convert once more and said he would try to hold up the tight head equipped only with a short lesson from injured Joe Geesin.

The Boars looked sluggish during the warm up and started the match in similar fashion. Any ball won seemed to come out slowly and the Boars backs did not seem to be passing with any fluency. The set pieces were evenly contested with Kenny Lewis dominant at the front of the lineout on his return from honeymoon and the scrum evenly contested. Cinque Ports were playing better than expected with several dangerous attacked snuffed out by good tackles.

OOH look Brady making a tackle!! well more of a hug actually...

The deadlock was broken by Dave Rhodes following up a kick ahead to touch down by the posts and then convert his own score. This seemed to settle the Boars a bit and a good spell of pressure followed. During this period the ‘disaster scenario’ struck when prop Nick Kerr injured his shoulder in a tackle and had to go off. Come the hour, come the man and Paul Hookway stepped up and offered his services and while he may have had more comfortable afternoons he did a good solid job in that unfamiliar role.

Shortly afterwards a well worked backs move saw the ball travel wide to winger Simon Hollingdale who broke a couple of tackles around the 22 metre line and sprinted through to score. This score was not converted and the score stayed 0-12 until half time.

Lineout agianst the head...

From the kick off it was clear that Ports wanted this match and were heartened when their number 8 collected and took off on a run reminiscent of the Boars own Dave Cook. He went through several weak tackles in a 30 metre rumble and even though he was eventually stopped CP had established good field position and they were determined to gain points. Several phases of play later CP established a maul that sucked in too many Boars defenders and a try ensued. This was converted to take the score to 7-12 and raised the possibility that all the hard work against East Grinstead might be thrown away.

Paul "Handsome Shreck" Hookway slows down the 8 so Tony can get stuck in...

Luckily this score seemed to wake the Boars up - in particular the backs who began to make better use of the ball they received. The decisive score came at the end of a 3 phase move (well done to Dan Bird for a good recycle and pass) when a determined Brady Burdett carried two tacklers over to score a try he then converted.

Next came the best try of the match when hard working inside centre Julian Wates dummied (You sure!! slipped more like...) the pass and rumbled into the acres of open space that had opened up and made the 30 metres to the line in great style. The Boars were not significantly trouble after this and the icing was put on the cake when Burdett went over in the corner for his second and the Boars fifth try of the match. Cinque Ports must be congratulated for their progress this season and for the team spirit they are building but the Boars did enough to come away with the victory they needed.

Man of the Match was Paul Hookway for saving a 10 point penalty by standing in as prop and putting in an excellent ball carrying performance throughout the match.

Boars Team – N. Kerr (S. Barrow - 20), J. Sharp, M. MacLeod, P. Hookway, T. Rose, M. Brown (D. Bird – 50), K. Lewis (B. Groves – 65), J. Parsons, D. Rhodes, B. Burdett, J. Wates, A. Farrell, S. Hollingdale, K. Davies, M. Barber

Match report by Mike MacLeod

1/26/2008 5:37:26 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

HEATHFIELD & WALDRON RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB (“the Club”)

NOTICE is hereby given that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the above-named company will be held at The Club House, The Hardy Roberts Ground, Cross - in - Hand, East Sussex TN21 0TA on Monday 18 February, 2008 at 8.00 pm when the following resolutions will be proposed as a Special Resolutions namely:-

1.    SPECIAL RESOLUTION

“THAT the provisions of the memorandum of association of the Club with respect to its objects be altered by:

(i) the addition of the words ‘to provide facilities for and promote participation of the whole of the community in the sport of rugby union;’ as a new clause 3 (i) and by the consequential re-numbering of all following clauses;

(ii) the deletion of the words ‘make any donations in cash or assets or’ from clause 3 (10);

(iii) the deletion of clause 3 (13) and the consequential re-numbering of all following clauses; and

(iv) the deletion of the words ‘Charitable Organisation with similar objectives’ from clause 7 and the insertion in their place of the words ‘registered Community Amateur Sports Club with like objectives or to the Rugby Football Union for use by them in community related sports’. “

2.    SPECIAL RESOLUTION

“THAT the provisions of the articles of association of the Club be amended by the insertion as a new regulation 12 of the following words:

‘Membership of the Club shall be open to all persons irrespective of ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs; or of age, sex or disability except as a necessary consequence of the requirements of rugby as a particular sport. The Club may refuse membership or expel from membership only for good and sufficient cause, such as conduct or character likely to bring the Club or sport into disrepute. Appeal against such a decision may be made to the Club’s members and decided by a majority vote.’

and by the consequential re-numbering of all following regulations.”

Dated the 24 January 2008

Tim Ball
Secretary

Registered office:- 
      
Fifth Floor
Old Change House
128 Queen Victoria Street
London EC4V 4BJ        

Note:- A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead of him; a proxy need not be a member.

1/24/2008 12:25:54 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

After getting to three cup finals last year, it looks like Heathfield & Waldron RFC may be trying to go one better. We are proud to point out that after last weeks league games, Heathfield & Waldron RFC are now top of all three of their respective Sussex divisions.

Check out the league tables below; well done to the whole club, not only players but also coaches, all the people who help run the club on a day to day basis and of course the supporters who turn up every week to watch all three teams play...

The First team are clear by 5 points...

The Seconds are clear by 3 points and have a game in hand against their nearest rivals...

and the Boars are also 3 points clear

There is still a lot of rugby left to be played in Sussex this year but lets keep our fingers crossed all three teams can keep on playing as well as they have been...

1/23/2008 1:22:46 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

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)