Heathfield & Waldron III 33 Ditchling 0

Heathfield 3rd team entertained Ditchling 1st team in their latest Sussex Two East Fixture on Saturday. Ditchling travelled to cross in hand on the back of a one point loss to league leaders Uckfield 2nds and so the home side were set up for a close encounter. The conditions were not entirely suitable for running rugby with a gusting wind and almost horizontal rain but both sides did their best in the conditions to play some rugby and a really entertaining game ensued.

Heathfield elected to play into the extremely strong wind in the first half and struggled to get out of their half for the first twenty minutes.  A lot of the attempted clearance kicks made little ground into the wind and Ditchling used it well to ping the ball into the corner with ease. The travelling side looked dangerous at times but some good defending and some excellent first up tackles stopped their big men running and sucked the pace out of their attacking game. Rob Streeter and Ian Jenkins in particular were making it very difficult for them at the break down too, turning over and securing numerous balls.  Jamie Ward-Smith was also tackling well.

The Ditchling Scrum Half has an unpleasent Senior Moment with Streeter and Jenkins...

Heathfield then started to run the ball out of their half rather than battle the wind and this proved more fruitful.  Fullback Tom Gooders found wing Levi Willis out wide and a nice step from the wide man took the home side into their opponents twenty two. A good covering tackle saw him held up short but excellent rucking from Chris Ambrasino cleared the path for quick ball. Heathfield used it well switching the play to the other side of the pitch only for Ditchling to concede a penalty five metres short. Greg Kneller took a quick tap but couldn’t quite make the line, however Ian Schlieder followed up well and managed to squeeze over.  Into the hellish wind the conversion was missed.

Ditchling wait again to try and repel another Heathfield attack...

The home side were now playing at a better tempo and even given the bad conditions were looking to generate faster ball at the breakdown and pass it wide. Ashley Sutton on the wing, who was running well and proving hard to stop, looked to have wriggled over close to the end of the half but sadly couldn’t quite make it. If not for some silly penalties and players not passing on a couple of occasions Heathfield could have scored more, but none the less going into the second half five nil up with the wind now behind them the home side were confident that the game was theirs for the taking.

And so it was. Tom Ingram started to use the wind well and close inside the second half kicked a penalty to the corner. Chris Ambrasino and Greg Kneller combined at the front of the line out and Chris Ambrasino  crashed over in the corner for the next score. Tom Gooders then kicked a superb conversion from the touchline, kicking the ball across the posts and letting the wind pull it through the uprights which I am sure he meant to do!

A slick move at the front see's Man of the Match Chris Ambrasino score in the corner...

Heathfield were clearly on top now. The forwards were carrying well and sucking in defenders and then the backs were doing their best to move the ball wide. A nice line from centre substitute James Usherwood saw him carve up the defence only for the final pass to go astray. However just inside Ditchling’s twenty two Heathfield turned the ensuing scrum over and some neat close passing saw Julian Wates thunder over for the third try under the posts. Tom Gooders duly converted.

Almost straight from the kick off some great inter passing from Heathfield backs and forwards, gave Ashley Sutton a deserved score, again under posts. This was followed again by a good conversion from Tom Gooders.

Tom keelock in true "back style" manages to turn his old inside out kit into a fashion accessory!

Heathfield continued with the pressure and the pace and had several further chances to score. Tom Keylock looked lively when he came on at scrum half and made some good breaks. James Usherwood was strong ball in hand and made a great debut for the side.
The final score of the game, sealing the win and the points, again saw forwards and backs combining well.  A secure platform saw Julian “I have used this season and next seasons’ good kicks; I am running out of seasons to borrow kicks from!” Wates make yet another nice chip over the defence and Tom Gooders was on hand to collect and score. He then converted his own try for a final score of 33-0 to Heathfield.

A mention must go to Levi Willis for some excellent running and aggression, Ashley Sutton also played well in attack but also in defence. However Man of the match this week must go to a forward for excellent dominance at the break down. Ian Jenkins and Rob Streeter were both superb but Chris Ambrasino edged this week’s award for his tackling, rucking and all round effort.

Match Report by Simon Hollingdale

Team:  Greg Kneller, Chris Ambrasino, Nick Evans, (Mike Powderly – 60), Ian Schlieder, Kenny Lewis, (Pete Snow – 60), Rob Streeter, Jamie Ward-Smith, (Josh Pitman – 50), Ian Jenkins, Will Chipchase, (Tom Keylock – 40), Tom Ingram, Julian Wates, Charlie Jones, (James Usherwood – 40), Ashley Sutton, (Dan Helyer – 70), Levi Willis, Tom Gooders.

11/17/2009 9:23:57 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield blow away the opposition

Heathfield & Waldron II 8 - Hove III 5

The game between Heathfield II and Hove III was played in gale force winds and driving rain on Saturday, making the whole game a battle.

Heathfield looked likely to score early on in the first half with a breakaway run by Chris Jaques, who broke between the ten and twelve, but unfortunately the wind and mud knocked the ball on.

The weather dominated the game, taking kicks sideways and ruining lineouts. Hove cracked under Heathfield’s pressure and gave away a penalty in front of the posts, kicked brilliantly by Joe Reilly: 0-3.

Hove made good use of their advantage in the scrums, exerting pressure on Heathfield. This finally took its toll and with good work to keep the ball alive, Hove bundled over for a team try in the corner: 5-3.

In the second half Heathfield played into the wind for another gruelling half. However, the play was creative, and Heathfield learnt from Hove’s first half performance. Props Davies and Porter drove forward into Hove’s twenty-two, providing a solid platform. Heathfield’s chance came ten minutes before the final whistle when the ball spilled and Leon Collen seized the opportunity - spreading the ball to winger substitute Mike Shallcross who touched down in the corner.  Unfortunately it left an almost impossible kick for Reilly: 5-8.

The performance from Heathfield was full of character and determination, and the win was a thoroughly deserved end to the game. With a week off the team can rest, in preparation for the game against Plumpton.

11/17/2009 8:55:46 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield & Waldron U13 51 Eastbourne U13 5

Heathfield played Eastbourne in the Sussex U13 league on a wet and blustery Sunday morning, the storms of Saturday had lulled but the conditions were still wet and difficult.  Heathfield opened the scoring early from the kick off and soon a forward drive brought a try for tight head prop Jack ‘Irish’ Baird.  Will Ross duly converted. A dead straight run from centre Sam Benians brought Heathfield back into the Eastbourne half from a scrum and the forward pack drove Matt Macgarvey over only to have the ball held up.  Further concerted pressure yielded a try for Miles Geldart playing at no 8, picking up from the base of the scrum, and driving over the line. Scrappy line out ball was converted into a try with Sam Benians fly- hacking the ball into the visitors half to be taken over the line by outside centre Will Ross.  Centre Benians was prominent again breaking the gain line, with the ball moving wide to Lucas Cuming at full-back appearing the line passing to winger James Rigby who scored near the corner post. Before half time a two further tries came from scrum half Tom Taylor and loose head prop Henry Paul, leaving the greenies satisfied to 34 point up at the break.

Eastbourne broke back soon into second half with a superb individual try by their athletic and speedy no 8 running wide and giving the visitors a glimmer of hope. Deep in the visitors half a Heathfield line out yielded quick ball, which went all the way along the line, with Connor Lacey on at full-back scoring for the greenies. Captain Cameron Carr duly converted.  The final score of the game came from flanker Owain Groves after consecutive line outs deep in the Eastbourne half.

All in all Heathfield put in a good team effort with the forwards winning good ball which was duly converted into points, by backs moving the ball well, and exploiting the gaps.

Squad: Baird, Osman, Paul, Macgarvey, Macleod, Parsons, Groves, Geldart, Taylor, Carr, Benians, Ross, Laroche, Rigby, Sweetman, Sutton, Baker, Lacey, Woods, Michael. Burdett, Cuming

11/15/2009 9:40:06 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield & Waldron RFC 30- Folkestone RFC 8

Heathfield are still the only unbeaten side in their league and the arrival of Folkestone at Cross in hand on Saturday provided them with the incentive to play some of their best rugby of this campaign. The game was played at pace and in the best spirits of the game. Heathfield prevailed in this encounter because they were stronger up front and especially in the all important breakdown area. They were well served by their pack who dominated set pieces and turnover situations. While Bruce Pestell and Simon Wilson in the back row had excellent all round games it is pleasing to report that two young players, both new to the 1stXV this season also had a strong influence on Heathfield`s victory. Tight head prop Ollie Smith had a good game in the tight and carried well in open play while Sam Goatcher was a good link at fly half and produced place kicking of the highest order to ensure that the home side won by a handsome margin.

From the start of the game Heathfield carried deep into their opponents half and were rewarded with an early try by full back  Sam Thewlis cutting into the line to cross half way between the posts and the touchline. Sam Goatcher converted. Almost immediately  the Folkestone Full back who impressed until having to go off injured in the second half put in a strong run from within his own half  running through some poor Heathfield tackling. The home side quelled the danger but conceded a penalty which reduced Heathfield`s lead to four points. Goatcher restored the lead to seven points with a well struck penalty from near half way and then the Greenies enjoyed a good spell of running rugby from backs and forwards which ended with prop Ollie Smith crossing the try line. Unfortunately the referee was unsighted and could not award the try. It did not matter because from the resulting scrum the home eight drove powerfully for Simon Wilson to claim the pushover try. Shortly after this try the ever present Wilson was the grateful recipient of a loose pass by one of the Folkestone backs to intercept for a simple run in. The score at half time was 20 points to three.

Heathfield showed no sign of letting up when the second half began and Goatcher continued to kick well converting a penalty after 15 minutes. With a good supply of ball from their forwards Heathfield kept their opponents on the back foot with  Damien Pestell making inroads in the centre in attempts to create space for the speed merchants outside him. Folkestone defended bravely and never gave up. After a sustained period of pressure on Heathfield`s line they scored a good try. The conversion was missed and soon after the restart Heathfield scored a final try through the individual speed and determination of their outside centre Seb Jones who burst clear from just inside his own half and beat all the cover offered by Folkestone to cross in the corner. It was a  fine effort by the ever improving Jones and Goatcher capped it by converting from the touchline.  The final score was 30-8 in Heathfield`s favour. This match was a delight to watch which was a credit to the players and coaches of both clubs and to a referee who controlled the game well and gained the respect of both players and spectators.

11/10/2009 8:35:19 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

On the road......

11/9/2009 8:49:25 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield & Waldron III 14 - Uckfield II 22

Heathfield 3rds entertained Uckfield 2nd team in the first round of the Sussex vase on Saturday. Both sides travelled down to the Waldron pitch and Heathfield elected to play up hill in the first half. It’s such a well used cliché that I hate to use it, (probably borrowed from football too – which is even worse) but this really was a game of two halves. How much of that was dictated from the Waldron slope and how much was down to the players was up for debate in the club house after the game.

Either way Uckfield started well. They were clearly a well organised unit and their fly half (who had an excellent game) had a good boot that kept Heathfield at the base of the slope for most of the first quarter. Heathfield in contrast were slow to get going but more disappointedly started missing tackles in the centre of the park. Consequently the wider defence was sucked in leaving superior numbers out wide which the travelling side used to great effect. Two tries and a penalty later and Heathfield were giving themselves a mountain to climb already 0-17 down.

Just when the home side thought things couldn’t get any worse their fly half was sent to the sin bin for repeated infringement and greenies were now fighting with fourteen men for ten minutes. Consequently another try was scored by Uckfield and the game looked lost.

However with six minutes to go of the first half there was then a long stoppage when an Uckfield centre was injured with a suspected broken leg and an ambulance was called. Best wishes to the player who was stretchered off. This break in play (sorry) seamed to flick a switch with the home side and from the restart they were like a different team. The rucking improved and because of this so did Heathfield’s possession and the backs with ball in hand started to look dangerous. It was hard to believe at times it was Heathfield that still only had fourteen men and a couple of times Heathfield worried the Uckfield try line only to be held up short.

As the teams turned around at half, the home side continued with this pressure and good possession generated by the forwards. Some crisp passing from Will Chipchase found Ben Cox determined to make up for his first half discretion and he duly started distributing the ball well and the backs then started hitting some better lines. Heathfield were sad to loose Nick “furry” Evans (who had been playing with his usual aggression and ferocity) to injury just inside the second half, but his replacement Will Greaves played fantastically for the rest of the half and seamed to have the upper hand over his man in the scrum which was much better down the hill. Kenny Lewis also made a big impact when he came on and lifted the tempo and the aggression level.

Tackling like a man possessed (as always) Julian “I have used my only good kick of the season two weeks ago so this kick is borrowed from next season” Wates demonstrated he is not all brawn with a lovely chip over the defence to the corner. From this position, Ian Schlieder managed to scurry over the try line for what looked like a score only to be pulled back for offside.

Greenies heads were now up though and Greg Kneller, who was starting to look lively around the park, intercepted a stray Uckfield pass just inside Heathfield’s half and the chase was on for the line. The prop had the legs over several Uckfield backs and scored an excellent try. Ben Cox duly converted.

Heathfield continued to use their numerous subs to give the side some fresh legs and the players that came on stepped up well and showed that this side is made up of a squad not just the starting fifteen. Tom Keylock was lively at scrum half and Ashley Sutton had some good runs in particular.

The basics were now putting Heathfield in control of the game. Good rucking, good tackling and pressure on their opposite numbers stopped Uckfield dictating how they wanted to play. The tempo was increased and this quicker ball was putting players in space and Heathfield’s second try came from out wide with good running from Pete Snow and Mike Shallcross who put Tom Gooders in for the try in the corner. He had the sense to run between the sticks making the conversion easier and Mike Shallcross just about slotted the extra two points.

Uckfield looked worried and the home support fancied an upset but it sadly wasn’t to be. The poor first half had left just too big a mountain to climb and despite some excellent fight to the end, Heathfield were unable to score any more points.

Credit to league leaders Uckfield 2nd’s who held on for the win and demonstrated what a well structured and drilled side they are and who also played the game with great sportsmanship. Heathfield 3rd team must take heart from their second half performance and work on producing that intensity for eighty minutes but they did demonstrate that when they play as a team at a quick tempo they are a dangerous side with excellent potential for the rest of the season.

Man of the match could have gone to Julian Wates for his aggression in defence and leadership on the pitch, Sam Cooley was also a handful at the base of the scrum and in the loose and had an excellent game. But for his second half performance, lifting the tempo of the side and a super try this week it was Greg Kneller that got the award.

An extra thank you should go to Mike Mucloud for stepping up to referee the game when the scheduled referee was late due to confusion over kick off times.

Match report by Simon Hollingdale

Team:  Greg Kneller, Chris Ambrasino, Nick Evans, (Will Greaves - 35), Mike Dilley, (Lloyd Panel - 60), Ian Schlieder, (Billy Hickson – 70), Rhys Evans (Kenny Lewis – 40), Tom Ralph, Sam Cooley, Will Chipchase, (Tom Keylock - 50), Ben Cox, (Pete Snow – 50), Julian Wates, Charlie Jones, Mike Shallcross, Josh Pitman, (Ashley Sutton - 60), Tom Gooders.

11/2/2009 8:54:46 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield & Waldron II 3 - Chichester II 12

Heathfield unlucky in the Cup

The rain held off this week for Heathfield II, playing at home in front of a crowd against Chichester II for a Cup game.

The first few minutes provided a great deal of entertainment, with both sides exerting pressure on each other. A handling error by Chichester gave Heathfield a brief advantage, but Chichester worked together well and overcame the backs to score a try in the bottom right corner, although they missed the conversion: 0-5.

Heathfield came together in response, focusing on their discipline and regaining their confidence. Some brilliant runs by Leon Collen and great play by Chris English gave Heathfield a much needed boost, but unfortunately they failed to break through Chichester’s defence.
The second forty minutes saw Heathfield’s scrum half take a big hit, forcing him off with concussion. Even with this blow Heathfield’s scrum proved superior with numerous balls won against the head by hooker Chris Jones.

With pressure mounting, a slip by Chichester allowed Heathfield to pile on the pressure. This earned them a penalty, kicked by English:3-5.

Throughout the game the Heathfield forwards looked dominant but it seemed the Chichester backs had the overall advantage, spreading the ball wide before cutting back inside to score a try near the posts, making it an easy conversion for Chichester’s fly half, with ten minutes remaining: 12-3.

Overall, Heathfield’s discipline has improved and the first half of this match saw them play their best rugby this season. Hopefully this will stand them in good stead for the other forthcoming league games.

Match report By Rebecca White

11/2/2009 8:17:43 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

That's better!

11/1/2009 10:54:07 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Heathfield & Waldron U16 37 - Eastbourne U16 17

Heathfield Under 16s continued their impressive form with a fine victory over a well organised Eastbourne. The visitors started brightly using the advantage of the windy conditions to pin the home side back in their own half for the first ten minutes with some strong pressing play which led to an opening score from the combined efforts of the Eastbourne back row.

This stirred the home side and some good handling in the Heathfield backs gave winger Joe Hastings a chance to show his speed and guile with two blistering runs, the second of which was well supported at the breakdown by the forwards and enabled No. 8 David Bayly to crash over and level the scores.

Heathfield were then able to get back to their game plan and with the forwards gaining control the game turned back to Heathfield. David Vater spotted an excellent running line from the base of a ruck on the 22 to score his first try for the club.

 The game was still evenly poised at half time and Heathfield knew they had to raise the game further to counter Eastbourne's fightback, and as expected Eastbourne took the game to the homne side pressing for an equalising score. Dogged defence and strong counter rucking by Reece Webb, James Morrell and David Bayly kept the visitors out and as they pressed Charlie Watson seized on a misplaced Eastbourne pass inside his own 22, broke free of the tacklers and coolly chipped the advancing full back to score a pitch length interception try.

At this point the home side relaxed and started to play with the cohesion seen in previous games. Powerful inside centre Toby Warren was a constant threat to the Eastbourne midfield and would surely have scored on three occasions but for the heroic last ditch tackling of the Eastbourne full back. As the home side dominated David Vater capped a fine display with two more tries, followed by a blistering 30 metre run to score beneath the posts by Joe Hastings.

 Heathfield relaxed a little too much from this point and Eastbourne brought respectability to the score by adding two tries of their own, but by then the hard work spent through the summer on fitness saw Heathfield dominate the final exchanges, leading to well earned try for Mitch Gadd who returned to the squad for the first time this season.

Good individual performances were evident across the squad, most notably from Will Maltby and James Morrell who were both excellent in broken play. Oscar Lacey was industrious at scrum half and Robert Taylor enjoyed a solid game on the wing. Newcomer Shawn Roys made a very confident debut at full back and David Bayly was once again supreme in his workload and commitment. However, the man of the match award went to Reece Webb who proved to be a solid wall in defence and performed all the hard, often unseen work in the rucks and mauls to secure possession.

10/26/2009 10:07:46 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)     

Edenbridge U13’s 0 Heathfield & Waldron U13’s 22

Carr and Laroche show Heathfield have ‘the edge’.

Heathfield U13’s travelled to a blustery Edenbridge this Sunday to start their league campaign.  Heathfield hadn’t played Edenbridge for three years when they narrowly lost to them on a tour friendly, so were unsure of their opposition.  Edenbridge won the toss and from the kick off Heathfield dominated the territory and possession.  Woods showed early promise with two runs in space from left wing.

Parsons playing at openside flanker was active very early on, ripping the ball from a maul and linking with Carr who quickly got on the score sheet. For the next few minutes Heathfield camped on Edenbridge’s line with a series of scrums but failed to capitalise on the possession. Taylor at scrum half crossed the line only to have a try deemed to be held up, and seconds later Geldart at no 8 did the same – Edenbridge managing to hold that up too!  It was Parsons again who from speedy work in the loose set up inside centre Benians to crash through for the second score.

Just before half time Ross at outside centre made a great break and linking with Carr for the Captain’s second try of the day, making sure he got under the posts so that Ross could convert the score.

The second half was a scrappy affair and Heathfield had much less possession to a fired up Edenbridge.  Defence was very strong from a depleted Heathfield side with Ross and Sweetman putting in some excellent tackling work. Paul had a trade mark marauding run from the breakdown, and Burdett looking like a chip off the old block linked well with a scissors move in the centre nearly breaking the gain line. The last score of the game came from Carr and Laroche linking on the left wing with new boy Laroche showing a great deal of pace and flair to run from his own half to score for the greenies. Laroche shows huge promise and natural pace.

Squad:  Paul, Osman, Baird, Sutton, Baker, Sweetman, McGavey, Geldart, Macleod, Taylor, Parsons, Benians, Ross, Woods, Burdett, Lacey, Cuming, Michael, Pantrey, Carr, Groves, Woods.

10/25/2009 9:24:53 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)