At the latter end of last season we played a friendly where Uckfield came out on top, knowing that they have a large squad this season we knew that this game was going to be a closely fought affair.

As the boys readied for Uckfield to start the match the coaches wondered whether Heathfield would remember the key point in the warm up - start quickly right from the whistle. Heathfield has in previous games been guilty of letting in an early try however this time it was our turn to run in an amazingly quick try. Uckfield kicked off to Tom T who ran the ball wide for twenty meters passed to Harrison on the Uckfield 10 yard line where he continued through three defenders to score near the post after less than a minute. Aaron stepped up to convert. (0-7)

The Uckfield squad has a few key players who are too well organised to allow this early set back to make them fold and they came back at Heathfield strongly. Some solid tackling on the No.8 from Sam and an equally valiant tackle by Tom T on the Uckfield full back led to their attack faltering. Jay once again decided to take on the largest player and stopped the No.5 who was moving at pace. A turned over ball by Sam was passed to Jay, then cleared up field by Harry. The Uckfield fullback then produced another good run only to be bundled into touch by a combination tackle by Edward and Harrison. Heathfield then suffered its first phase of seemingly innumerable penalties close to our own try line and despite some stalwart defence the inevitable first Uckfield try was scored. (7-7).

It was shaping up to be the sort of game where either side could have scored a few more times were it not for the tackling and the odd handling error. The Uckfield backs were quickly up on ours making running space limited so some individual spark was required to break the defence. The next try was made by one such example. Jay’s decision making at fly-half was excellent all game and he sent a grubber kick through with enough weight for Harry B to run onto and take the score to 7-12.

From the restart Uckfield pressure resulted in a couple of handling problems and they were once again camped in the Heathfield 22 area. A couple more penalties were awarded against Heathfield but the on-the-line defence once again kept Uckfield at bay. In previous matches the backs have panicked when the ball pops out so close to our own try line, however the forwards turned over an Uckfield attack and Anthony dug the ball out of the ruck, passed to Sam to Tom to Harry and was cleared up field via Jay’s boot.

The forwards then kept the ball in midfield for a number of phases with some good defensive work around the breakdown from Connor, Ollie and George M. This allowed the backs to set up a solid platform for the next try. The ball sent smoothly down the backs with Harry joining the line ending up in Aaron’s hands who ran in the ball from the 22 yard line to close the half 7-17.

Uckfield began the second half with more purpose than Heathfield they once again mounted phase after phase of attack. Harrison held up a couple of Uckfield players and Aaron bundled another into touch to limit the score. The continued pressure led to Heathfield's second phase of adverse penalty conditions! If you allow the opposition so much time five meters out from your own try line a gap will appear at some point. Eventually the Uckfield pack drove over for their second (14-17). Heathfield started to build a series of coherent phases of play but ball retention in the tackle stopped any progress. After another series of penalties against Heathfield Uckfield went into the lead for the first time in the game 21-17.

Shortly after the restart Heathfield were awarded a rare penalty on our own 22 yard line, some great communication in the Heathfield backs kept the ball in hand, passed out to the left to allow Tom T to run in from the half way line (21-24). Soon after the restart Uckfield had their own penalty on our 22 which was put between the posts (24-24). With time running out the game was sealed predictably by a penalty to Uckfield, taken by the very capable Uckfield full-back who was undeniably their man of the match. (27-24).

Heathfield defended excellently particularly given the amount of time they spent five meters out from our own try line - work is required to ensure that penalties are kept to a minimum in this area! The difference in the match was that at crucial times in the game the Uckfield team seemed to have that extra man to deny Heathfield any continuity of play. I think if Uckfield had got into an early rhythm the match would have been more difficult but to rattle the opposition so early definitely set the pace for the game.

There is not much difference between the two squads with the Uckfield pack slightly edging our boys off the ball in the set piece through technique rather than physical presence. The commitment up front was excellent, demonstrated by some crunching tackles. This defensive work denied Uckfield a try bonus point by keeping out a fourth try. In terms of league standings whilst a win would be preferable, the mornings work was rewarded with a try and losing bonus point. Particular mention should go to Harrison who held up players over our try line on at least three separate occasions and Jay for his decision-making and performance at fly-half.