Colts take control of Premier League

Heathfield kicked off with the wind behind them on a bitterly cold Sunday afternoon in this top-of-the-table Premier League clash between the only 2 undefeated sides in the league.

This match was always going to be the key match in the Colts league season. Although a win would not secure the league title with a match spare, it would certainly go a long way towards it.

Heathfield pressured from the kickoff and pinned Brighton deep in their half. Wave after wave of attack was well repelled by stout Brighton defence but from the sidelines it was plainly evident that their defence was getting drawn in and becoming very narrow. Heathfield recognised this and after 6 minutes attacked blind from a 3rd phase ruck with a four man overlap. Good, simple passing and straight running with the ball going through the hands saw Heathfields Freddie Jones score in the corner. Harry Reilly failed to convert a difficult kick across the wind.

Heathfield again dominated after the restart but for all the pressure and territory failed to capitalise with points. An injury to Adam Davies saw Charlie Price come on for his second appearance for Heathfield.

After 25 minutes, Brighton managed to get out of thier half and earned a scrum 10 metres into Heathfield territory. A deft chip and chase saw them outnumber Heathfield at the final breakdown and score from a pick-and-go. Brighton failed to convert leaving the score at 5 - 5.

The remainder of the half played out fairly evenly with Brighton beginning to cause problems at the breakdown but Heathfield generally quicker around the pitch.

Half Time: Heathfield Draw 5 - 5.

The second half saw a swap between Chester Duff on the wing and Henry Jolliffe at fullback but no further changes.

Just 4 minutes into the half and Brighton broke through some sloppy defending allowing an overlap to develop. Brighton crossed the line but a bit of showboating and a massive tackle from Jamie Wardle meant the ball was spilled over the deadball line. A let off for Heathfield!!

Heathfield replied almost immediately with thier 2nd try when the moved up the pitch from the restart. A series of scrums and lineouts saw Heathfield in front of the posts and awarded a penalty against a Brighton backline that was perpetually offside. Reilly took a quick tap and already had another penalty for Brighton not retreating 10m but an offload to Fergus Diplock running a straight line saw him score virtually unopposed through badly aligned and weak tackling Brighton centres. Reilly failed to convert into the strong wind but Heathfield had regained the lead 10 - 5.

Brighton were now spurred on and played their best 10 minutes of rugby when they scored 2 quick tries.

A missed tackle allowed the first (converted) near the posts and 2 minutes later a series of attacks down the wing saw them score again by the corner flag (this one unconverted) - again because of Heathfields tackling not being up to scratch.

Suddenly Heathfield, after controlling much of the match, were down 10 - 17 with a rampant Brighton (and some rather obnoxious Brighton players).

Now followed some exceptional controlled play from Heathfield for the final 20 minutes of the match. There was never panic within the team having experienced and overcome these situations many times before, and they proceeded to play good, simple, aggressive, controlled rugby.

Heathfield attacked strongly through phases and had a very good effort from Piers O'Conor just forced into touch-in-goal. Again they attacked and had another attempt held up over the line, this time from Jamie Wardle. Another drive from captain Max Ellery saw him inches short and finally a great sweeping effort saw Jones bundled into touch in the process of scoring.

With this impetus Heathfield were getting the ball wide and O'Conor, who caused problems for Brighton all match, surged into the corner with two covering tacklers clinging on. Reilly again failed to convert from wide out into the wind leaving the score 15 - 17 to Brighton.

Again Heathfield played good controlled rugby and were forcing Brighton into penalty after penalty in attempting to slow Heathfields progress.

With 2 minutes left to play, another penalty in front of the posts was declined and Heathfield took the gamble to run again. This led to a series of 5m lineouts, the last of which allowed phases to develop. Again, Brighton's backs were drawn in to a narrow defence and when the ball was moved Heathfield had a 3-man overlap with a score under the posts inevitable. Reilly convert with the last kick of the match for Heathfield to win 22 - 17 with a bonus point win.

Team: Adam Davies, Lewis Golding, Max Ellery, Henry Ross, Jack Smith, Isaac Brown, Jasper Wrenn, Jamie Wardle, Kieran Burdett, Harry Reilly, Chester Duff, Fergus Diplock, Piers O’Conor, Freddy Jones, Henry Jolliffe, Charlie Price, Henry Paul, Liam Parsons, Lucas Cumming.