U14s gutsy league win away to Shoreham

Muddy, wet and cold. For some of the spectators, this might have been their abiding memory of Heathfield’s away match at Shoreham this January morning. However, for most, this was not what they remembered. Instead there was a close match of tremendous determination on the part of both sides to admire – the home side were certainly big and the driving runs of their powerful forwards contrasted with a Heathfield side’s desire to run the ball through their backs, even if the conditions were not necessarily ideal for that style of play.

A neat start to the game gave Heathfield their opening score. Tom Reilly’s cleverly-angled kick over the home side’s three-quarters gave Finn Scott-Taggert the chance to scoop up the ball, beat the flailing cover and set sail for the try line. Reilly’s conversion made the score 0-7. Much of the rest of the first half reflected the contrast in styles; some dominance in the scrum for Shoreham against good rucking and handling from Heathfield. Angus Paterson made some testing runs, whilst his centre-partner Stanley Campbell opted for the more direct route up the middle.

The lighter Heathfield pack fought manfully as well: Jack Langridge continued to add impetus to surges up the pitch, whilst the back row once again proved their considerable worth with Sam Walley, in particular, outstanding on a day suited to an open-side flanker prepared to scramble on the floor. Toby Anderson showed good hands and decision-making at full-back on a day that could have been nightmarish for anyone in that position.

Half-time came and went, but the rain did not relent. Shoreham pressed and, eventually, it was their strong-running number 13 who, offering a threat all afternoon, sliced through under the posts. The conversion levelled the scores. But Heathfield were not to be denied and, after a period of sustained pressure in the Shoreham 22, Ben Wyatt nipped in from the back of a scrum to score the game’s decisive try, subsequently converted by Reilly: it was rich reward for a scrum-half who had had a fine match.

The end-game of the match proved tense: Heathfield suffered injuries; Shoreham suffered two yellow cards to their fly-half and tight-head prop for high tackles. On came Heathfield’s reserves who all played their part. A strong run by James Jarman encouraged; a brave tackle by replacement full-back Kieran Dudgeon stopped the dangerous Shoreham centre as he looked to be breaking free.

At last, the final whistle went with the visitors ultimately victorious. Three wins and a draw in five league matches so far this season has not been a bad return.

Coach Tim