Choccs Away for the H&WRFC U14's

Wednesday night the clubhouse was a hive of activity as the U14s had their last training session of the year followed by a chocolate fountain.  Thanks go the parents for bringing along a mountain of fruit, biscuits and sweets - the boys soon dived in to cover them (and themselves) in chocolate!  It was great to see Fergus all in one piece, sporting a rather fetching sling, which luckily didn't hamper his energetic chocolate eating. 

Thanks also to Guy, Brady, Mike and Jan whose enthusium and commitment to the team is amazing!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND BEST WISHES TO ALL FOR 2009!

12/18/2008 3:02:53 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Greenies get out of Jail!

Heathfield U14  12  V  10   Crowborough U14

Another league match for the Greenies and, for a change this season, it wasn’t snowing, sleeting, hailing or raining with a force 10 gale blowing at the same time! However, it was very cold and the pitch, although eminently playable, was wet and muddy in patches after the previous days storms.

Heathfield were fully aware of the tough test ahead of them as these 2 teams have fought out draws over the past 2 seasons. However, Heathfield started strongly and dominated much of the play for the first 10 minutes, a period which culminated in George Bending scoring a really good try in the right corner after some slick handling in the backs.

Unfortunately, this seemed to signal a period of 10 minutes when Heathfield became very lethargic and were bettered to the breakdowns and failed to contest at rucks and mauls. Indeed Heathfield were turned over at 8 rucks in good position during this time and finally gave away a penalty in front of their own posts which Crowborough duly converted. After the restart, and from a line-out in the Crowborough half, a series of bad decisions and poor handling from Heathfield, somehow provided Henry Jollife with the opportunity to dart over to score a converted try close to the posts! A few minutes later, Lewis Golding had the opportunity to settle everyones nerves when he broke through a couple of tackles when over the try-line but failed to ground the ball!

So, half-time came with Heathfield leading (and just about justifiable so) 12 – 3.

The second half was to be a rearguard action for the most part from Heathfield. A mixture of luck, good tackling in the Heathfield midfield (Henry Jolliffe and Fergus Diplock) and occasional good rucking by the forwards kept Crowborough at bay until finally Crowborough managed to breach the Heathfield defence and score a converted try close to the posts.

This led to a tense final 10 minutes where Crowborough threw everything they had at Heathfield. During this period, centre Fergus Diplock was seriously injured in making a tackle and was taken away to hospital with what was later to be diagnosed as a broken shoulder socket. Our best wishes go out to Fergus for a speedy recovery. Get well soon Fergus as we need you back commanding the midfield again!

After play restarted, and with less than a minute to go, Heathfield gave away a penalty in their own 22 about 10 metres from touch. Crowborough decided to kick the penalty but narrowly missed and the final whistle went moments later.

Final score was 12 – 10 to Heathfield.

12/15/2008 2:18:03 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Hove Colts 10 v's Heathfield & Waldron Colts 17

Heathfield arrived at Hove with only 12 players and so Hove started with 13 players as is agreed in league fixtures. But in the face of adversity, the Heathfield colt fights hard and so it was again on Sunday. The tackling in defence from the Heathfield side was immense and even with the one man advantage, Hove just could find a way through.

Chipchase commanding his forwards...

After 15 minutes the extra players arrived and Hove had still not gained the advantage. The longer the half went on, the more the belief grew in the Heathfield side and gradually the visitors pack began to dominate the Hove forwards.  A sterling and courageous display by captain Rhyss Evans lifted his team, especially in defence where on one occasion a Hove forward on full tilt, possibly 5-6 stone heavier than Evans was halted in tracks with a superb tackle. That was typical of the Heathfield display all match. Tackles were flying in particularly by scrum half Will Chipchase to help the Heathfield backs keep their speedier opposite numbers in check. It was therefore down to the Heathfield forwards to gain the upper hand. Following a penalty conceded by Hove, field position was obtained with a long kick to the corner and with a good lineout win, a try was scored by second row Angus Taylor. The conversion was beautifully slotted.  Hove replied towards the end of the half with a try skillfully created by their talented back division. But Heathfield had the final say of the half, again by direct driving by their pack, resulting in a good try by prop Oliver Hancock.

Oliver Hancock scoring

The second half was all Hove for the 1st 10 minutes as the home team fought to get the ascendancy but it was not to be their day. From a secured line out by Evans on his own 22, the Heathfield forwards began their 5 minute move, using driving mauls and pick and go’s. It finally resulted in the play coming to a halt on Hoves try line. The ball was recycled for probably the 20th time and flanker Robert Horsfall Turner flung out the pass to the unmarked left wing Marcus Wright who dived in at the corner. Although it was not the prettiest try ever scored by Heathfield, it was certainly one of the most technical and skillfull scored by that team in a long time.

The BIG drive upfield begins...

Hove were beaten and although they pulled a try back to make the score more respectable, the win had been earned by that piece of brilliance and the hard, aggressive and relentless defence by the Heathfield colts.

12/14/2008 12:30:38 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Midhurst U16s v's Heathfield & Waldron U16s

League game, Midhurst 0 – Heathfield & Waldron 43

Heathfield left for Midhurst in high spirits however, it was not to be a simple trip and with the A272 closed due to flooding just after Billingshurst, some of the team and the kit arrived a little late, leaving little time to warm up. This lack of preparation showed, and with Midhurst kicking off,  Heathfield were under the cosh for the first 5 to 10 minutes soaking up the Home side’s pressure.

However after warming up and getting used to the 2 new players, Jack Fellows at Hooker and Joe Wood at Full Back, Heathfield got their act together.  Following a ground making kick from Jack Warren into the Midhurst half,  Heathfield forwards dominated with several minutes of pick and drive before finally getting  the ball to prop forward Frasier Goatcher; who in classic prop style got his legs pumping and cleared all out of his way to ground the ball for the first try of the game. Jack Warren kicked the conversion, for a further 2 points.

Midhurst again kicked deep and Heathfield losing the ball had to absorb more Midhurst pressure before the backs, who had now warmed up,  took the game in hand and raced away to get winger Sam Browne in for a second score.

This time the restart was not messed up by Heathfield and after catching cleanly, Heathfield  managed get the ball to the other winger, Owen Lewis, who stepped gracefully out of several tackles before grounding the ball, for Heathfield’s 3rd try. The last try of the first half went again to the forwards with flanker ,Oli Stables scoring and Jack Warren finding the posts to finish the first half 24 points up.

Heathfield kicked off the second half with the slope and expected to run away with the game. However, for the next 5 minutes this was not the case, as a determined Midhurst worked hard to get on the score board, only to see their efforts come to nothing as centre Ethan Walker took the ball at pace and cleared the Midhurst backs for the 5th try and Warrens 3rd conversion. The forwards where not to be left out and after building more pressure scrum half Tom Nudd collected the ball from the base of a ruck to sidestep a couple of tackles and get the ball to ground despite the best efforts of Midhurst. Warren again stepped up and slotted the ball between the posts. So after 15 minutes of the second Half Heathfield need just 2 more points to finish the game. However if they thought it was a done deal they where mistaken and Midhurst where not yet ready to give up. Despite 5 more minutes of pressure it took another of Heathfield new crop of players, Patrick Cremin to find the line, and with his first try for the club bringing the game to an end.

Heathfield Team:
Ed Boulton, Sam Browne (1 try), Miles Carter, Patrick Cremin (1 try), Jack Fellows (1st appearance), Fraser Goatcher (1 try), Will Jones, Alex Lester, Owen Lewis (1 try),  Tom Nudd (1 try), Merlin Roberts, Oli Stables (1 try), Ethan Walker (1 try), Jack Warren (4 conversions), Ben Wickens, Joe Wood (1st appearance)

12/14/2008 12:19:10 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Boars celebrate Dave Rhodes 50th Birthday

Boars 27  v's  Rye 2’s 5

The Boars welcomed Rye Gooners to a sodden Cross in Hand to help celebrate the 50th birthday of club chairman and Boars scrum half Dave Rhodes. This stalwart is enjoying his 40th consecutive year playing rugby having started as a callow 10 year old. Proud Yorkshireman Dave was welcomed onto the pitch by several team mates in fancy dress providing a ‘black pudding arch’ and proceeded to give a vintage display in the poor conditions.

Little need be said about the game bar that the Boars won well and it gave an excuse for the revelry that followed.

Man of the Match was Dave Rhodes for being 50 years of age all through the game.

Boars Team – A. Sutton (M. MacLeod -70), J. La Roche, N. Evans, J. Parsons, T. Rose, K. Lewis, M. Brown, D. Cook, D. Rhodes, B. Burdett, J. Wates, S. Barrow, S. Hollingdale, C. Martin, T. Keylock (R. Cooley – 60)

12/13/2008 12:40:06 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Curry and Karoke with the X-Factor

The Curry and Karoke night at the Clubhouse on the 22nd November was a fantastic event.  Organised by Kevin Pearce and Hugh Reilly from the U14's, it saw about 65 people tuck into mega amounts of curry - some even going up for 2nds and 3rds!!  The star of the evening was Richard Ross and his brilliant rendition of Delilah - watch out Tom Jones!!  It was a chance for many to showcase their talents and when the U14s team got up to sing the atmosphere was electric with anticipation .....  throats were cleared, hair was re-arranged and poses were struck ....... Suffice to say that their talents lie on the rugby pitch!!  Rob Lawrence finished off with a few numbers and it was time for all to head off home, knowing that the evening had raised about £400!  Thank you and well done to all who took part - Thanks Kev and Hugh - can't wait until the next event.

12/9/2008 4:28:32 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Boars return to form

Boars 50 Crowborough 2’s 5

The Boars entered this match needing to halt a run of four consecutive defeats and did so convincingly. The Boars pack dominated their lighter opponents from the start and denied the good looking Crowborough backs any good ball. This paid off early on when no.8 Ian Schleider broke out from a maul to crash over from 5 metres. Further tries came in from Dave Rhodes and Rob Woods before Crowborough got on the score sheet as they ran a quick penalty from the 22 and caught the Boars asleep. This brought the score to 17-5 at half time.

KFC takes an early lineout, we have found that if we use food in the lineourt calls he leaps higher!

Early pressure from the Boars pack, which dominated all afternoon

Dave Rhodes pounces on a ball that shot out the back of scrum to score; at nearly 60 still has great speed and awareness.

The Boars made three changes at half time and came out much the hungrier and more aggressive. Continued dominance in the forwards provided the platform for five more tries (two from Dave Cook, another from Woods and singletons from Brady Burdett and Julian Wates) the last two being lovely backs moves scored after scrums had been taken against the head.

ELVIS is spotted in Heathfield! Justin Waters breaks the line again...

Great charge from Mike Fellows with young winger Jack Gavor supporting.

In a week with many players out to injury throughout the club much praise must go to those Heathfield 4th team players who stepped up and played a huge part in this victory.

Man of the Match was Sam Cooley for causing mayhem all through the game. This was a cloase run thing though as Tom Keylock also had a an excellent game as did Ian Schleider, it was great to see these two YOUNGER players getting so involved.

Cooley, Bazen and Brown link up to run the Crowborough forwards ragged...

TART... do I need to say more!

Boars Team – M. Fellows, A. Sutton (R. Burchett – 40), M. MacLeod, J. Parsons, D. Bazen, K. Lewis (M. Brown – 40), S. Cooley, I. Schleider (D. Cook – 40), D. Rhodes, B. Burdett, J. Wates, S. Hollingdale, Jake Gavor (G. Ellery – 60), T. Keylock, R. Woods

Match Report by Mike MacLeod

12/9/2008 9:12:39 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

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)