Heathfield U16s entertained Pulborough for their season opener at Waldron on a warm, sunny Sunday morning. Missing three forwards: Callum, Lawrence and Rory to Sussex trials this was going to provide a strong test to the remaining squad.

Pulborough travelled without a front row and so the match was played with uncontested scrums.

New captain, Tom Rose led the boys from the front and from kick off Heath pressured Pulborough. Heath’s rucking was far superior in the opening quarter and led to several penalties. Ball retention was strong and the forwards drove hard to set up several attacks which were not converted due to handling errors and tenacious tackling by Pulborough.

Heath were soon on the score sheet after strong pressure by Ollie on the Pulborough backs in their own 22 led to a handling error and Ollie gathered to score under the posts. Duly converted by Harry. Pulborough struck back after some lose play and ball control by Heath allowed Pulborough’s wing to steal the ball and sprint from half way to score. 7 - 7.

The second quarter saw Heath maintain the same pressure on Pulborough with back and forwards interlinking a second try soon followed. After several strong phases on picking and driving sucked in the Pulborough midfield Billy unselfishly fed out to Toby who was in the gap for him to go through and score. 12 - 7.
Further rampaging and quick recycling led to Tom charging through 3 players to score. Try duly converted by Harry. 19 - 7. No further tries this quarter despite the Heath pressure as the final the pass never met it’s target.

The third quarter was dominated by Heath but again handling errors and strong tackling meant just the one try was scored. The forwards creating a perfect attacking platform, good hands in the centre put Ben in the clear and he out sprinted the cover to score out wide. 24 - 7.

Final quarter and gaps started to appear as some of the Heath side started to wilt. Despite early pressure Heath were unable to score and a breakaway by Pulborough saw their wing put clear to sprint in from halfway. Try converted. The exact situation was repeated two minutes later with the same winger being put clear and scoring. 24 - 21 game on with two minutes to go. Heath responded with pressure from the kick off and turnover ball set them up deep in the Pulborough 22. A scrum to Heath saw James H break blind and score. Try converted by Harry.

Final whistle blew after Harry’s conversion - Heath 31 Pulborough 21

Some real positives today: lineout worked well, rucking and ball retention was excellent. Kotz, Higgins, James, Rose, Smith all carried strongly but the most noticeable improvement was Ruddle, by far his best match ever.

Coach’s man of the match: Big Si YDO man of the match: Rob James

Players: Simon Tom Billy
Jack Rob
James Max K Elliot

Julian

Callum Harry Max S
Ollie Toby

Ben

Tries: Ollie, Toby, Tom, Ben, James H
Conversions: Harry x 3