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Great turnout for Gaffney Goblet
Philip Bell27 Dec 2025 - 18:05
The Hurricanes 12 Heathfield Babas 52
The Gaffney Goblet was retained by the Heathfield Barbarians for the third time but the result is irrelevant by comparison with the context of this event.
A crowd of at least 500 surrounded the pitch at Cross In Hand to see this annual contest between two Heathfield-based sides. The Hurricanes were mainly composed of one year from Heathfield’s junior rugby section for which Simon Gaffney had been a coach all the way through to Colts level. The contest for the Gaffney Goblet is intended as a memorial to his life and sad passing and to encourage support for related charities The Calm Zone https://www.thecalmzone.net/ and Loose Heads https://looseheadz.co.uk/
The Hurricanes were bolstered by a couple of current Heathfield players – and by some bloke who lives nearby called Joe Marler. While Joe never played for the Heathfield club he is very much a local person with strong community links. His involvement today was much appreciated by all and will have had much to do with the large turnout.
The opposition was provided by a Barbarians side of mainly current and former Heathfield players. Over 90% have been Heathfield players at some point and several have gone on to higher levels (Bevacqua, Cook, Gomersall, …)
The wide range of size, ages and abilities could have been problematic but all agreed that the game was played in an excellent spirit with plenty of good contests alongside some laughter. This was much helped by the three referees who applied the laws with appropriate discretion. Although I gather Marler may have had had some constructive conversation with the two refs who had sons playing for the BaBas.
The BaBas were generally in control and tries were scored by Tom Cornwall, George Gomersall, Cole McKenzie (2), Will Chambers, Sam Wright, Tom Aldridge and Rafe Gibson. The Hurricanes replied with tries by Will Wallis and Gus Toomer.
A chill wind was the only negative on an otherwise pleasantly dry and sunny day. Heathfield were delighted to see the large numbers attending and using the bar – the Guinness ran out mid-afternoon and the hard-working bar staff were looking worried about the other supplies when I left. I suspect that many present today are not regular rugby club people as they were forming an orderly queue to the bar - so most members were just walking round them to the side of the bar and being served promptly. Hopefully they’ll learn and come again.
Heathfield much appreciate the involvement by Joe Marler who played every minute and made plenty of notable contributions – although his kicking looks to need some work. Joe was afterwards very positive about the whole event and has committed to supporting it going forward - I suspect the Hurricanes may be a bit stronger next year!
Chief event organiser Dave Cook was delighted with the day and takes much credit along with Will Gaffney, Andy Samuels and Gerard Dyson.
This is the link to the JustGiving page for today’s event.
https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/11541/3rd-annual-gaffney-goblet/
@calmzone @looseheadz
A crowd of at least 500 surrounded the pitch at Cross In Hand to see this annual contest between two Heathfield-based sides. The Hurricanes were mainly composed of one year from Heathfield’s junior rugby section for which Simon Gaffney had been a coach all the way through to Colts level. The contest for the Gaffney Goblet is intended as a memorial to his life and sad passing and to encourage support for related charities The Calm Zone https://www.thecalmzone.net/ and Loose Heads https://looseheadz.co.uk/
The Hurricanes were bolstered by a couple of current Heathfield players – and by some bloke who lives nearby called Joe Marler. While Joe never played for the Heathfield club he is very much a local person with strong community links. His involvement today was much appreciated by all and will have had much to do with the large turnout.
The opposition was provided by a Barbarians side of mainly current and former Heathfield players. Over 90% have been Heathfield players at some point and several have gone on to higher levels (Bevacqua, Cook, Gomersall, …)
The wide range of size, ages and abilities could have been problematic but all agreed that the game was played in an excellent spirit with plenty of good contests alongside some laughter. This was much helped by the three referees who applied the laws with appropriate discretion. Although I gather Marler may have had had some constructive conversation with the two refs who had sons playing for the BaBas.
The BaBas were generally in control and tries were scored by Tom Cornwall, George Gomersall, Cole McKenzie (2), Will Chambers, Sam Wright, Tom Aldridge and Rafe Gibson. The Hurricanes replied with tries by Will Wallis and Gus Toomer.
A chill wind was the only negative on an otherwise pleasantly dry and sunny day. Heathfield were delighted to see the large numbers attending and using the bar – the Guinness ran out mid-afternoon and the hard-working bar staff were looking worried about the other supplies when I left. I suspect that many present today are not regular rugby club people as they were forming an orderly queue to the bar - so most members were just walking round them to the side of the bar and being served promptly. Hopefully they’ll learn and come again.
Heathfield much appreciate the involvement by Joe Marler who played every minute and made plenty of notable contributions – although his kicking looks to need some work. Joe was afterwards very positive about the whole event and has committed to supporting it going forward - I suspect the Hurricanes may be a bit stronger next year!
Chief event organiser Dave Cook was delighted with the day and takes much credit along with Will Gaffney, Andy Samuels and Gerard Dyson.
This is the link to the JustGiving page for today’s event.
https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/11541/3rd-annual-gaffney-goblet/
@calmzone @looseheadz
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