Heath too strong for dogged Uckfield

Heathfield 38 Uckfield 0

Games between these two clubs used to be one of the competitive highlights of the season but it is five years since they last met at first team level.
On a cold day with a steady northerly breeze handling was always difficult and mistakes inevitably occurred. Early on the visitors were perhaps lucky when they appeared to have carried the ball over their own try line but were awarded a twenty-two drop out. Heathfield had early possession and position leading to a penalty chance which Ethan Walker pushed wide. Otherwise he had a good day with the boot collecting four conversions, some of them difficult. Uckfield soon had to replace a prop with an injury which will have handicapped their scrummage which looked to be smaller than the home side. Heahfield did take at least two against the head but otherwise the visiting scrummage just about held up.
The first try was collected by Toby Warren after a run by Ollie Brown was carried on through several pairs of hands including a skilful piece of work by Matt Finney (7-0). Mono Thewlis now had to leave the field with a damaged foot and may be out for the season. He has recently played his way back into the first team and will be sadly missed. A few minutes later a penalty was kicked to the corner and the following lineout was secured for Ollie Robertshaw to be driven over (14-0). Most of the play was in the Uckfield half and Heathfield had majority possession but mistakes and determined Uckfield tackling prevented any scoring until on the stroke of half time Brown finished well in the left hand corner (19-0).
The wind made the lineout difficult for both sides with neither achieving complete security. Uckfield competed especially well at the breakdown against often larger opponents and in the second half the visitors started to achieve a better share of possession. Together with the benefit of the wind they started to look more threatening but were unable to string together enough phases to stretch the home defence. Their number eight was probably their best player while their scrum half showed spirit but may have tried to do too much himself.
Nonetheless early in the second half Heathfield had a series of scrums and lineouts in the left hand corner which the visitors did well to defend. When the ball finally went wide Warren was just held up over the line. Fern Yaber and Michael Nise now entered the fray as replacements and Nise was immediately able to plunge over from the back a scrum (24-0).
Uckfield continued to make a more positive impression and were helped by Heathfield looking less organised than usual, perhaps from the multiple substitutions. Even so it was pleasing to see Chris Elliott make a welcome and useful reappearance after a lengthy injury break. Brown collected his second try on the day with a trademark pacey entry into the line in the centre with scarcely a finger laid on him (31-0).
Ollie Smith was yellow carded as the latest offender after a sequence of penalties but Uckfield were unable to capitalise on the extra man.
The scoring was completed just before full time as Brown and Charlie Smith made good ground on the left wing and flanker David Bayly was impressively on hand to touch down (38-0). Bayly made a good impression throughout the game which will be welcomed by the coaching team as the back row has suffered from injuries recently.
This Saturday (2 Feb 3.00) Heathfield entertain Old Dunstonians in what is a critical game for both clubs. Dunstonians had been having a poor season but in the last few weeks have started to pick up some results.