Whitstable RFC 3 Heathfield & Waldron RFC 19

Heathfield travelled to the North Kent coast with a large contingent of supporters but with a much changed team. Due to injuries and absentees only eight of the team who defeated Crow borough were available but such is the strength of  their squad that Heathfield were able to secure their first away win of the season by wearing down a strong and determined Whitstable team.

Although there was surface water on parts of the pitch, the afternoon was bright and dry. Heathfield played up the slope in the first half and spent much of the half in their own territory and were obliged to defend against some driving play by the home side.Whitstable`s strong and experienced pack shoved the lighter Greenies pack back at the first scrum and threatened to exert dominance in the forward exchanges. However the Heathfield forwards dug in and mainly through the admirable Bruce Pestell won a lot of line out ball including a number of steals against their opponents throws. On one of Heathfields excursions into Whitstable’s 22 the Greenies were near to forcing over the home sides line but after a succession of penalties acting skipper Lee Vaccines opted for a kick at goal which Matt Skinner landed to take his side into a slender lead. Whitstable responded immediately with a beautifully struck drop goal from their talented young fly half but Heathfield after some valiant defensive work especially by their young back row crept back into their opponents half for Skinner to kick a second penalty to give the Greenies a 6-3 lead at half time. Throughout the first half Heathfield`s tackling had been excellent and Bryn Jones made some crucial defensive punts which often relieved strong Whitstable pressure. Will Drinkwater at full back also kicked well and the ubiquitous Rob Lawrence also showed some of his kicking skills.

Lee Vokins scores the only try of the game...

Playing down the slope in the second half Heathfield exerted continuous pressure on their hosts who made too many errors to relieve the wave of attacks which the young and fit Heathfield side were making. The defining moment of the match came when Vockins, who led by example all afternoon, scored an excellent try under the posts .His decision to trust himself instead of  spreading the ball wide resulted in a certain seven points for his team and a lead which proved decisive. Once again the Heathfield line was not crossed and two additional penalty kicks by Skinner sealed a hard earned victory. The win, in view of the number of changes forced on Coach Dave Jones, was one of his sides best of the season to date. Every player stood up to give of their best none more so than Vockins and tight head prop Richard Cooley who propped both sides of the scrum during the game and continued to achieve a fantastic work rate in the loose. This Heathfield side and the army of supporters will remember their first visit to a club who has a great deal in common with Heathfield.

This Saturday kick off in the cup game at Cross in Hand against Lewes will be at 1.45.
A large crowd is anticipated.

12/8/2008 11:40:07 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Uckfield Colts v's Heathfield & Waldron Colts

The team, and I jest not...

 
1/ Ollie Hancock
2/ Andy Godwin
3/ Pete Everall
4/ Angus Taylor
5/ Dylan Eames
6/ Tom Watkin
7/ Robert Horsfield Turner
8/ Freddie (Latest recruit)
9/ Will Chipchase
11/ Rhys Evans
10/ Jez Burdett
12/ Lloyd Pennell
13/ Campbell Lacey
14/ Chris Flockhart
15/ Alex Langton  

   
 
The Eagle Eyed amongst you will notice that the team to face Uckfield consisted of 12 forwards and 3 backs including 5 Front Row. How often has a squad wished they had 4 able Props available?

 
After coaches Wasp & Fish chucked the names in a hat and drew out their positions the big pre match talk was given. "Mistakes will be made, go out and enjoy yourselves and above all stay positive!"

The game started and mistakes were made. First part of game to plan then! But as for the other 2 bits, Bxxxxx Brilliant, our heads dropped and we got fed up. The first half was not a pretty sight and the experiment of 2 Second Rows in the Centre and Flankers on the Wing looked like a monumental Cock Up. The 35 minute mark came and Wasp & Fish were seen scribbling resignation notices with tears running down their faces.

At the turn round encouraging words and advice were given by the coaches and the boys set back out with all the confidence of our forefathers at the Somme. But something did change. The other 2 parts of the plan came into play. Heathfield started having a go. We took the game to Uckfield. We rucked and mauled as if we meant it. Continuity, yes continuity came into play and there were phases put together. Pick and goes, out to the backs (bit of a misnomer!), plus the odd mistake. The result of this was 3 tries to Heathfield. The first of these was scored by captain for the day and probably the pick for player of the day Gus from the bottom of a maul driven over the line from 5 metres out. Next was taken over the line with a monster drive from Ollie. The last one came from Lloyd in the centre. The one hitch was that in all this Uckfield had scored a couple more tries. Heathfield had their tails up, they were playing for each other and Uckfield were in trouble. Heathfield scored their last with 9 minutes of time to play. 5 Minutes later time was called and Uckfield ran out winners.

 
Back into the clubhouse for a drink some food and to revel in the memories of a match that turned out to be quite fun.

Last competion and it was Gus who rose to the challenge from the Uckfield Captain in a race to down a pint. It was a well fought contest and Gus was looking good and he moved into an early lead but soon Uckfield was pulled level. As they moved into the second half they could not be split. The Uckfield Captain made a spurt for the bottom of his glass but Gus stuck with him. The result a noble draw.

12/7/2008 12:05:10 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Eastbourne U16s v's Heathfield & Waldron U16s

Eastbourne 0 – Heathfield 60

Eastbourne unfortunately could not field a front row so immediately started with a 10 point deduction.

With both teams sitting tied second in the league with 10 points apiece this was a season making / breaking fixture for both teams. It was also the first time that Miles Carter, captaining for Heathfield, had played against his old club. Unfortunately Eastbourne’s front row was depleted due to injury and for safety reasons the game was played with uncontested scrums.

Playing into the sun Heathfield kicked off and put the ball deep in to the Eastbourne half and that’s where they stayed for the next 5 minutes until after a period of pick and drive were rewarded with a darting try over the line.

Eastbourne restarted again with a deep quick kick, which was collected by Heathfield and taken back in to the Eastbourne half. However this time after several attacks the Eastbourne defence held strong and with nowhere to go Heathfield set up the fly half deep in the pocket to collect an easy 3 points from a drop goal.

The remainder of the 1st half had Heathfield cross the Eastbourne line a further 3 times. So at half time the score was 0 – 30

The second half started with a more committed and attacking game from Eastbourne and neither side managed to score for 10 minutes, however after sitting back for a while Heathfield stepped on the gas and ran in a further 4 try’s to finish this entertaining fixture in the sun with a clean sheet.

Special note should be given to man of the match, Tom Nudd with 3 try’s and some excellent play. Additionally running Tom a close second was Winger Owen Lewis who has found a new strength and promise this season and was responsible for making many game metres today.

Heathfield Team:
Edd Boulton, Miles Carter (capt) (1 try), Patrick Cremin, Fraser Goatcher(1 Try), Will Jones (1 try), Caspian Kingdon, Ed Koops (1 try), Alex Lester, Owen Lewis, Will Maxfield, Tom Nudd (3 try’s)(Man of the match), Merlin Roberts, Oli Stables (1 try), Ethan Walker, Jack Warren (Drop goal and 3 conversions) Ricky Zeitlin

12/7/2008 11:49:10 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

50 CLUB LATEST

July 08

£50 D. Smith

£25 K. Robinson

£10 D. Rhodes

August 08

£50 R. Streeter

£25 C. Goddard

£10 M de St.Croix

September 08

£50 D. Rhodes

£25 D. Langdon

£10 M. Powderley

October 08

£50 P. Jarvis

£25 P. Mercer

£10 S. Wilson

12/6/2008 11:02:36 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield & Waldron 20 - Crowborough 6

This local Derby between clubs who play the same style of Rugby turned out to be as good a match as it had always promised to be. The match was played in an excellent spirit and was well and sympathetically refereed. On a wet surface with fog always threatening visibility the large crowd from both clubs enjoyed a fast and keenly contested match. The speedy Crowborough backs looked dangerous when they received good ball but the home team won the day through having slightly the better of the forward exchanges and through their ability to make yardage through their ball carrying forwards and their more powerful and direct backs. The point’s difference was a fair reflection on the game.

With the game only a minute old Heathfield made ground deep into their visitors half and their forwards gave notice of the style in which the Greenies have been playing this season by handling skilfully with hooker Rob Lawrence making a fine break. Crowborough covered back but could not prevent scrum half Lee Vockins crawling over near the left corner flag to open the scoring. Heathfield with their noses in front continued to put pressure on their opponents who seemed a trifle surprised by the speed and power of the home pack. The pressure told and after conceding penalties near their line, Crowborough went further behind from a well controlled pushover try from Heathfield`s no 8 Simon Wilson. Crowborough responded well and their pack began to get on terms. Both side’s back rows had excellent games. Crowborough opened their account with a penalty and turned round 3 points to ten down.

Heathfield had been obliged to replace their very mobile prop Tim Evans, who aggravated a rib injury, with Shaun Hammond and at half time made a positional switch with Damien Pestell swapping the fly half berth with Matt Skinner. These two players normally occupy the centre positions but the change seemed to help the home side and the style they needed to adopt in the conditions.

Crowborough came back strongly in the second half running the ball whenever they had an opportunity. In drier conditions they might have engineered a try  but Heathfield`s excellent defence held out and eventually it was Heathfield through Damien Pestell who scored the only try of the second half when he powered through Crowborough`s defence ,spinning out of attempted tackles to score by the posts.

Some of the rugby played in this game was as good as anything produced by Heathfield this season. One of the most noticeable aspects of their success is the contribution made by their forwards in supporting a very talented set of backs. The Pack are not huge men but the props are mobile and are fine technicians in the tight, the locks together with Simon Wilson and Bruce Pestell manage much good lineout possession , often against the throw in and any eight which turns out tackles fearlessly and is strong in the contact area.
With forwards in this mould coach Dave Jones is able to play the fast and fluid 15 man game he has been working on since he took charge.

This Saturday the Greenies travel to Whitstable and on 13th December they entertain Lewes at Cross in hand in the quarter final of the Sussex Trophy. Providing the Greenies can stay reasonably injury free they have every chance of continuing their run of success. 

11/29/2008 3:58:23 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Eastbourne on the rebound

Heathfield U14s  61     Eastbourne U14s  5

 On a delightfully sunny Sunday at Waldron, Heathfield on the rebound from an extremely disappointing loss to Brighton the previous week, completely took apart their visitors from Eastbourne.

Eastbourne scored the first try however, after only a few minutes but from then on they never really managed to get into the game.

It was strong running by the forwards, particularly Alex Borg, Greg Pearce, Zach Llamas, Conor Ingram and Jamie Wardle, who set up the platform.

Heathfield scored 11 tries in all, the pick of which came from Henry Jolliffe with a 95 yard run brushing off at least half a dozen tackles before touching down for one of his four tries. Fly half Gareth Lloyd had an aggressive game and scored two tries with direct running, Jamie Wardle added one, following 7 phases of driving play by the forwards. Alex Borg scored a typical try being the most mobile prop in the county, as his pace was too much for the defence to handle. Flanker Tim Farrell also scored one after a period of sustained pressure close to the visitors line. It was a welcome return for wing George Bending, back after injury, who scored a try using his brilliant lines of running and change of direction.

The biggest cheer of the day went to the final try scorer and “Man of the Match” Conor Ingram whose pick and driving play was superb and caused the Eastbourne fringe defenders problems all game. Tackle of the day went to winger Louis Chavanne, stopping the Eastbourne attack in its tracks.

A good performance by the whole team whose game plan was to enjoy themselves which they duly did. Next week they entertain Lewes on the main pitch.

11/25/2008 7:22:02 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

David v's Goliath

I need to tell you about something Very special happening with the u15 squad this weekend 29th and 30th November.

We have arranged to take our lads away to Gloucester for the weekend where we will play a friendly with a local Club Side and then go to Kingsholm, fortress of Gloucester RFC to watch the home team take on Northampton Saints.

This alone would have been a fantastic trip for the lads, but after a bit of effort we have just added a second fixture to our weekend schedule and we now have a friendly game on the Sunday as well. It’s Against another West Country Club but they are a little more well known...

Guys, on Sunday 30th November the Heathfield & Waldron RFC u15's will play none other than BATH Rugby Under 15’s, at their home ground!

Yes this is truly a David vs Goliath situation for us but one which our lads will never forget and we want to give a good account of ourselves as a Club. Wish us luck and we will post a report after the weekend.

11/25/2008 7:18:24 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Better Boars Fall Short

Pulborough 2’s 32 Heathfield Boars 29

A good Boars team fell just short of victory in this Sussex Vase knockout match. Heathfield got a good start when captain Julian Wates punched through the Pulborough defence to score a try converted by Brady Burdett. Pulborough came back into the game with an unconverted try out wide as they began to unleash their useful backs. Heathfield looked to have the advantage in the early forward engagements but started to get frustrated with some refereeing decisions and began to lose concentration and cohesion. The referee was struggling to keep up with play due to a pulled muscle and this contributed to the next Pulborough score. A quick break saw him miss a forward pass and allow the Pulborough winger to score between the posts taking the score to 12-7.

Boars contesting at an early Pulbourough lineout...

This did not excuse the way the Boars then failed to tackle for the next 10 minutes as they shipped to more tries before half time. Both tries were break away moves where both forwards and backs were at fault. With a half time score of 24-7 the Boars deserved the strong words delivered in the team talk.

The team talk seemed to work as the Boars pushed hard into Pulborough and secured dominance at the scrum to give better ball and more time for the backs to execute their moves. Captain Wates then showed the way to the try line to help bring the score back to 24-14 before a good move brought full back Rob Woods into the line at speed for another try and the momentum looked to be changing the way of Heathfield.

Bradley Bundett clears his lines following a Pulborough attack...

Even an excellent solo try by the Pulborough number 9 that took the score to 29-19 did not seem to dent the Boars confidence as they went back down the other end and winger Simon Hollingdale sped over to narrow the score to 5 points.

A moment of ill discipline following a perceived refereeing error then cost the Boars dearly as the award of a scrum against was turned into a penalty within kicking distance. Pulborough took advantage to extend the lead to 8 points and the Boars now had to score two twice to win. This was one too many as another Woods try was all the Boars could summon up before the final whistle went.

The Boars man of the match award went to captain Julian Wates for inspiring the fight back with his direct running and hard tackling. A special mention should go to all the new players who played this week, especially those that only had a half a game and patiently watched from the sidelines in the cold.

Boars Team  M. Fellows, J. Sharp, M. MacLeod, P. Hookway (D. Bazen - 50), T. Rose, S. Cooley (T. Ralph – 65), K. Lewis, J. Parsons, D. Rhodes, B. Burdett, J. Wates, D. Hesketh (T. Ingram – 30), G. Martin (J. Other - 65) S. Hollingdale, R. Woods

Match Report by Mike MacLeod

11/23/2008 6:58:07 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield win in the mire

Uckfield U14   0   V   48   Heathfield U14

Heathfield arrived at the Uckfield ground in driving rain and a howling wind. So what else is new for this season so far!!! The squad was also short of 8 members as a series of ailments, injuries and unavailability left just enough players for Heathfield to field a team.

Uckfield started the match by kicking short into the wind for Jasper Wrenn to field. A series of driving mauls and rucks interspersed with direct back play took Heathfield to a scrum 15m from the Uckfield line where a quick heel allowed Harry Reilly to provide a delightfully delayed pass to Fergus Diplock to burst 2 tackles on his way to opening the scoring against his old club. For the next 15 minutes Heathfield totally dominated the game with excellent driving play from the forwards, which allowed the backs, particularly George Bending playing at centre for the first time this season, to run freely and run in tries from Jack Koops and Andrew Dunn on the wings and for Kieran Burdett to snipe around the fringes on his way to a blind side try. Indeed, being super critical at this time you could say that Heathfield squandered at least 2 further scoring opportunities through lack of communication and a partial reluctance to make the final scoring pass!

The half drew to a close with Gareth Lloyd scoring 2 excellent tries in quick succession. The first was from good support play where he joined the line at pace to receive the final pass where his speed took him past the last 2 defenders. The second came directly from the restart when Max Ellery fielded the kick-off and drove powerfully into the Uckfield forwards and was then able to set up good ruck ball for the backs. Gareth was on the end of a sweeping backs move that saw him scoring in the opposite corner to his first.

Harry Reilly converted 3 of the 6 tries to give a half time score of 36 – 0.

The weather conditions deteriorated (if that was possible) and for the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half there was no further scoring. Heathfield were generally in control but the Uckfield forwards contested strongly for possession in this period. Heathfields power and precision eventually told when, from an Uckfield throw-in on their own 5-metre line, Conner Ingham was able to pressure the receiver into delivering bad ball from which Alex Borg was able to score. Alex closed out the scoring late in the 2nd half when he burst through two tackles to score close to the post.

Harry Reilly converted this last try to leave Heathfield with a comfortable 48 – 0 win.
Special mention must go to Dean Pennell for excellent technical work in the loose and to Henry Ross who did a fine job playing out of position at no.8

11/23/2008 6:54:45 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield Overwhelm Local Rivals

H&W RFC 53   HASTINGS 0

Heathfield extended their unbeaten run of home league matches to five when they overwhelmed their local rivals by more than fifty points including nine excellent tries. The game was open and the home side played some fast and direct rugby with much passing between backs and forwards which left Hastings often clutching at straws and wondering how they were going to restrict the margin of defeat. To their credit they tightened their game in the final quarter and prevented Heathfield from adding to their tally in that period. Heathfield`s ball carrying and handling throughout was of the highest order with forwards Koby Tonkin, who had an excellent game as captain, Simon Wilson, Rob Lawrence and Bruce Pestell running and handling like threequarters.

The home side began the game at a cracking pace when Wilson and Lawrence carried towards the Hastings line to link with the backs who created an opening for veteran prop Tim Evans to score. This try was followed by further crisp handling for another of Heathfield veterans Levi Willis to score wide out on the right. Not content with this try which was converted by Matt Skinner, Willis used his power to complete another move by the backs and score again towards the right hand touchline. Matt Skinner added the points as he did to the Greenie`s next try when Damien Pestell made a break from the Hastings ten metre line and ran a superb line between the Hastings centres to touch down under the posts. Matt Skinner was kicking and running well and it was appropriate that he should score and convert the final try of the first half.

The first fifteen minutes of the second half was similar to the first half with Heathfield scoring four more tries after impressive running and handling from the whole team. Tom Pritchard replaced Tim Evans after Evans appeared to have bruised a rib. Rob Lawrence took over propping duties and Pritchard hooked. The Greeny front row remained secure and Pritchard showed his versatility by extending his run of tries by scoring twice.

The first try of the half came when fly half Bryn Jones slipped a beautifully timed pop pass to full back Sam Thewlis and between Pritchard’s tries Tom Sheffield showed blistering pace when he completed a good handling movement to beat the cover defence from 30 yards out.
It was clear that the players in green enjoyed the game and they certainly played in the style that their coach has developed with them over the past two seasons. In terms of the league table they are the most successful of the Sussex teams in the division and they have the ability to topple some of the Kent high flyers when they visit Cross in Hand. Before that they play their old rivals Crowborough at home on 29th November and then travel to Whitstable on 5th December.

11/18/2008 6:52:34 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield & Waldron Colts v's Eastbourne Colts

Sunday saw Heathfield Colts arriving en masse at Eastbourne with no less than 33 players with no support required from the U16s, no mean achievement at this age level.

First off was the development side led as always by Rhys Evans. Playing uphill Heathfield started in tentative fashion. Concentration was lacking and maybe some of the untried positionings unsettled the side. The result of this being the now customary 3 minute self destruct spell with tackles missed and players heads disappearing where the sun doesn't shine. Eastbourne 5 Heathfield 0.  Heathfield responded well and soon levelled the score when Lloyd Pennell on leave from the Army drove towards the line where he was stopped short. When the ball ran loose Will Chipchase was alert and finished the move. Eastbourne came back strongly and in the dying stages scored a second try. It had been a tightly fought half but Eastbourne had used their Joker (the considerable slope).

From the start of the second half Heathfield looked like they meant business, mixing driving forward play with inventive back play. Jez Burdett now on at Inside Centre got the ball from deep and went on one of several searing runs evading 4 tackles to lay it off to Greg Salmon who still had a bit to do speeding round the outside to score in the corner. Heathfield now level were moving up through the gears. Alex Langton was looking a danger every time he got the ball when he broke away from deep he was well supported by the forwards when stopped, before the ball was quickly recycled and a try scored. Eastbourne started pushing hard themselves and for 5 minutes camped out in the Heathfield 22 but Heathfield just wouldn't give in and tackle after tackle went in before the ball was passed out to Jez to kick clear. Next came a succession of penalties conceded by a now struggling Eastbourne. Andy Godwin took a tap and go and like a bull in a china shop drove through the Eastbourne defenders. 10 - 20. Eastbourne were awarded a lineout 5m from their line which they spilled Nick quickly spotted the opportunity and burst through to score. The now rampant Heathfield ran another final attack with a move that started well outside the Eastbourne 22. The ball was passed through too many hands to name and Gregs finished off under the posts. Jez closed the game with a successful conversion.

Eastbourne Dev 10 - Heathfield & Waldron Dev 32

This was a great result and keeps the Dev Team's 100% record. It was a performance of huge heart and graft. This is a team that plays for each other and is enjoying themselves in the process.

 
Next came the second course and the turn of the A teams with the visitors being led by Dan Hague. Heathfield boast a large number of county squad players and many others who are knocking at the door and this showed as possession was won and an array of ambitious moves were run. Eastbourne proved resilient and despite a lesser skill base fought hard and played in the faces of the Heathfield side. Giles Grainge and Jez looked dangerous when given the ball and ran exciting mazy runs. Leon Collen was like a battering ram and Mike Abbott fed endless supplies of ball to him which he used to great effect. There was one thing missing. Points! For all the rampaging pick and go's or great moves the last pass would not quite go or a penalty would be given away.

The deadlock was finally broken. A penalty on the Eastbourne 22 was given and Heathfield moved the ball across the pitch. At the breakdown the ball came back and Elliot Marshall broke, beat 2 players and scored the first against his old club. Mike converted. The teams turned at 0 - 7 a tense time for the supporters knowing that Heathfield now had to play uphill.

Through a combination of Eastbourne not exploiting the slope and Heathfield becoming more clinical Heathfield started to turn the screws. Continued pressure through a series of pick & gos led to Angus Taylor scoring in the right hand corner. The game continued to go Heathfield's way and they were awarded a penalty 15m out. Elliot took one of many tap penalties and moved the ball out to Giles who finished with pace in the top corner. 
Eastbourne 0 - Heathfield & Waldron 17.

Good to see the As winning. This is a team that when they get the continuity of playing a series of games together are going to be hugely difficult to beat.

 
Back to the club house to celebrate. There was a great buzz around the bar and looking around this was largely due to the large Heathfield contingent. 33 players and c20 supporters, coaches & managers. Pretty damned impressive!!!!    
 
By A Proud Coach

11/17/2008 6:50:11 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

HEATHIELD BLAST OPEN COASTAL DEFENCES.

Hove RFC U14  5       Heathfield & Waldren RFC U14 15

Perfect playing conditions greeted Heathfield’s trip to the South coast in an important League match against a much fancied and well drilled Hove team that has always provided a challenging game.

Right from the start, Hove threw down the gauntlet and unleashed their back line who demonstrated excellent ball handling skills and the home team notched up the first score of the day with a break into Heathfield’s corner.  Jasper Wren, who had an exemplorary captain’s game, gathered up his troops to lead the comeback and from now on Heathfield’s forwards took the game by the scruff of the neck, gave it a good shake and started to dominate the game. For Heathfield it was to become an attacking forward’s game with their backs providing excellent defensive cover.

Jamie Wardle, Jasper Wren and Zack Lamas demonstrated a new confidence together and were to be found at the thick of all the action. Alex Borg and Greg Pearce also used their size to seize the ball at every opportunity and Max Ellery’s lineout targeting always found his man. It was from a ruck, fifteen feet from Hove’s line that we saw Heathfield’s first score and appropriately, prop Adam Davies aggressively used his stature to slam the ball down for the first points.

Harry Reilly used his boot with surgical precision to keep pushing the ball back towards Hove’s line and for the second half of the game Heathfield set up camp in Hove’s 22. Hove, however, always looked threatening and their backs were constantly poised for a counter attack. Centres Fergus Diplock and Henry Jolliffe both had sound games using their pace when appropriate to open up Hove’s defence and wings George Bending and Jack Koops both committed good attacking runs. Gareth Lloyd also played a good tactical game at full back and put in some notable tackles.

Heathfield’s second try unfolded from a ruck fifteen feet from Hove’s line when Henry Ross ripped the ball and once he had a sniff of the line nothing was going to stop him, he used his considerable reach to get the ball down much to the team’s delight. Harry Reilly deftly converted. The game was effectively sewn up by Harry Reilly seven minutes from the whistle when he threaded a perfect drop kick through the Hove posts to take the game out of the home side’s reach.

The Heathfield forwards played a blinding game, dominant in the scrum, determined in the rucks and unbeatable in support. It was a game played in excellent spirit by both teams and the final whistle was greeted enthusiastically by everyone on the touch line!

11/17/2008 6:30:46 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)