Heathfield U14 v Hove U14 – 14/10/18

On a day that had a heavy foreboding, both in terms of the forecasted weather and the reaction the boys would have to a painful defeat at the hands of Haywards Heath, the home crowd were delighted to see a performance that definitely lifted the spirits!
Heathfield made some positional switches that had a very positive impact on proceedings but the result could be put down largely to the awakening the boys had in their previous outing. The first-up tackling was a huge improvement and allowed us to play front-foot rugby and from this platform we were able to create and exploit space. The boys also worked out Hove’s primary gameplan and reacted to a game that was dictated by set-pieces and territory. There was a definite intent to keep the pace of the game high and to try not to get drawn into an out-and-out arm-wrestle.
The first try of the game came from a strong scrum, a drive from Will Saunders at number 8, a quick ruck and Tom Jarman powering over from close range, 7-0. Hove came back into the game with a series of ruck wins and finally producing some hands to release their right-winger who left all in his wake bar Ryan Goodsell, Heathfield’s blind-side. Ryan pursued from across the pitch and made a fantastic challenge to put the Hove player well into touch. Unfortunately the ref deemed it to be a high tackle and awarded a penalty try, 7-7.
Heathfield then stepped up another gear and started moving the ball well through the hands with a good number of strong drives from the forwards creating space. The next try epitomised this with hands moving the ball left to right, a couple of forward drives and then back to the left where Dylan Parsons had found some space. Everyone expected him to burst past his opponent on the outside but some nimble footwork bought him back towards the posts after gaining 20 metres and after 2 quick rucks Monty Simmonds punched it home from close range, 14-7.
Heathfield’s third try was again an exploitation of space after good forward work with the ball getting out to Jack Pincus on the right-wing where he made a lot of ground forward, superb support in keeping up with Jack from Hector Summers at number 7 and finally popping a well-timed pass for a walk-in for Tom Jarman, 21-7.
The final play of the half was a case-in-point for the work the coaches have been doing in getting the boys to realise there is a lot of work to be done when we don’t have the ball. Hove had a penalty from around 30 metres out and went for the 3 points. The kick was short and fielded by Tom Jarman who cleared the ball straight down the pitch over the Hove fullback’s head. A pursuit that was led by Will Saunders, Ryan Goodsell and Tom Jarman resulted in Tom tackling the fullback just outside his own 22, getting to his feet and ripping the ball and finally feeding Will Saunders for the score, 26-7 Half-time.
Hove started strongly in the second-half with the words of their coaches clearly ringing in their ears. They tightened their game and started to get the upper-hand at the ruck. After a series of phases following a scrum on Heathfield’s 22 they finally burst through to score in the corner, 26-12. The game became a little scrappy as the half continued, probably due to a mixture of tiredness and new combinations for both sides as the coaches made full use of their substitutes.
There was still time for 3 phases of play that are definitely worth mentioning. Firstly there was the final try of the day. Good hands from midfield set-up a ruck just outside the Hove 22 where Hove were penalised for going to ground. Tom Jarman took a quick-tap and powered over taking the opposition winger with him, 31-12. Secondly was an immense pursuit of a clearance kick from Tom that was led by Jack Pincus, Hector Summers and Guy Moore. The ball was kicked from deep and landed and rolled inside the Hove 22, Jack recognised that the ball was not going to roll into touch and paused waiting for the Hove Fullback to pick up the ball. He then stripped the ball in the tackle and fed Hector Summers who was caught just before the line. Unfortunately Hector’s pass to Guy was just off and the ball hit the floor but huge credit for the three of them in their pursuit and being available to create the opportunity.
Finally, Ryan Goodsell! Undeterred by the penalty try in the first-half, in almost the last play of the game, Hove escaped down the Heathfield right and their winger looked certain to score having left the Heathfield defence in his wake. Ryan seemed to appear from nowhere and cleared man and ball into touch – to have the drive, hunger and fitness to do this after a very hardworking and strong performance is an absolute credit to him and a plain-sight example to his teammates of what is possible if you do not give-up!
Clearly like all match-reports it is something of a highlights reel and I have to say, as ever, that none of the highlights happen without the graft and effort of the entire squad. Just because you don’t see a name does not mean we haven’t seen the work put in by each and every player!
Overall a very positive performance, lots of lessons to take forward and some interesting coaching sessions to focus on. Next up; a development fixture at home to Uckfield and then the next Waterfall fixture away at Chichester on Remembrance Sunday.