Three Heathfield players were part of the successful Sussex country side in today’s County Championship match against Dorset & Wilts.
Fraser Goatcher and Ollie Smith were the starting props and were thus part of a very secure scrummage. They were both active in the loose and made some useful carries, at least once linking handily.
The first half was quite even with the visitors snatching a try under the posts from a clever attack and then a lucky bounce. Sussex replied with a well-taken try by their outside centre. Dorset led at half time thanks to a penalty (7-10).
While Sussex probably just had the better of the game thus far, they were handicapped by simple errors and the inevitable difficulties of players not having had enough time together as a squad.
Goatcher was substituted soon after half time and Smith about ten minutes later. Dylan Eames came on in the second row with about twenty minutes remaining, securing his share of the lineout and working hard in the loose.
The second half was more one sided chiefly because of poor discipline by the visitors. First a player was red carded for two yellows. Half way through the half a prop was sent off for dangerous play and with a few minutes remaining they received a third red card for a late and dangerous tackle.
Sussex collected three more converted tries to finish comfortable winners (28-10). For Sussex fly half Carlos Casanova from Hove and dynamic flanker Sam Callaghan from Brighton were especially effective.
Although most of the Sussex squad is composed of players from teams higher in the League structure (Worthing, Chichester, Brighton, Hove & Horsham) all three Heathfield players looked at home at this level and there are others from Heathfield who are part of the Sussex squad and who will hope to involved in next week’s game away to Berkshire.