Heathfield Ladies 19 Hove Ladies II 10
Heathfield Ladies played their first ever league match and emerged clear winners in this RFU Women’s NC South East South 3 match where the bigger Hove forwards had to give best to the pacy Heathfield three quarters.
In excellent conditions and in front of a very decent crowd of spectators from both clubs the first half saw just the one score with a try by Hannah Chapman, converted by Hannah Osborne (7-0). Throughout the game the larger Hove pack tried to drive their way through while the home team looked to move the ball wide.
The pattern remained the same in the second half in which Hove had the advantage of the slight slope. They duly collected their first try from a forward rumble and the game was very much in the balance (7-5).
The whole Heathfield pack did some sterling work in defence, achieving plentiful turnovers, with Isobelle Eyres being especially mentioned by the coaches in this area.
Then from turnover ball Heathfield mounted a counter-attack from their own half and Emily Sowell made good ground on the right wing before giving a scoring pass to Heather Jury (12-5). Sowell was playing her first game and made a number of pleasing contributions in attack and defence.
The game was decided by a similar move this time down the left wing with a second try for Chapman, again converted by Osborne (19-5)
Hove finally completed the scoring another try from a forward drive.
Heathfield were very pleased to hear on Monday morning that the Hove player who had been taken to hospital with concussion had been given the all clear and discharged.
Coach Fraser Goatcher was delighted with the team performance. There are plenty of areas to work on but the squad can now look forward to a competitive and entertaining league program.
The picture above shows the squad in their new tops sponsored by Moody Sewage. The team is also sponsored by GO:VER Gym and OG Supplements.
The next game is on 5th November when they entertain Lewes Ladies II.

Team: 1. Jade Scarsbrook 2. Carly Harris 3. Hannah Davis 4. Saskia Sullivan 5. Becky Taylor 6. Izzy Eyres 7. Liz Ashworth 8. Becky Farrant 9. Ele Ross (captain) 10. Hannah Osbourne 11. Hannah Chapman 12. Keeleigh Harman 13. Jo Clement 14. Emily Sowell 15. Hettie Porter 16. Harriet Pearson 17. Heather Jury 18. Claire Gover 19. Abi Tappenden 20. Ella Hedley 21. Tracey Kissane