Heathfield Colts travelled to Chichester for their last league match as Junior Rugby Players having already been crowned Sussex Colts Premiership Champions but wanting to defend their unbeaten league season and wanting to play this final match as a celebration of everything they have done as a squad over the past 6 years.

Heathfield kicked off and generally had the edge in the early exchanges. Within the first few minutes everyone on the touchline knew this match was going to be a full on “heavyweight” contest with players from both sides flying into tackles and rucks.

However with a slight edge in the tight, Heathfield gradually edged up field and won a 5m lineout. Heathfield executed a simple catch and drive with Rory Cramp scoring. Harry Reilly failed with the conversion.

Chichester came back strongly and the territory they gained from the kickoff was held with some excellent phased play. After 15 minutes a penalty was converted taking the score to 5 – 3.

This time it was Heathfield who gained territory from the kickoff and were not going to give it up. Excellent work at the lineout from Henry Ross and Isaac Brown kept Chichester pinned in their 22 and on 20 minutes, another 5m lineout catch and drive try was scored by Cramp. Reilly again just failed with the conversion.

As expected with the way the game had progressed, it was now all Chichester with Heathfield being run ragged. Chichester ran multi-phases and it was only tenacious tackling and a “you will not pass” attitude that kept them out. After 32 minutes however a series of quick rucks and an excellent inside pop saw Chichester score a converted try levelling the match at 10 – 10.

Chechester stunned Heathfield from the restart with aggressive running and great support play to score a second quick, converted try on half-time taking the lead for the first time.

Half Time: Heathfield down 10 – 17.

Heathfield know they had it all to do and started the 2nd half in rampaging style but Chichester’s defence held firm. It wasn’t until a cheeky grubber close to the Chichester line saw Ross race through to score. Reilly again missed the conversion which came off the post. Score now 15 – 17 with the game building up to be a real cracker of a match.

Immediately from the restart, Heathfield attacked from deep but on this rare occasion the passing didn’t go to hand and Chichester pounced to score a simple converted try close to the posts.

Chichester scored again after 15 minutes, from good attacking phases but from a dubious forward pass, which saw them stretch the lead to a convincing 15 – 31 with 20 minutes left to play.

Heathfield were now deep in trouble with a rampant Chichester and delirious home supporters baying for more! For Heathfield though, the stage was set perfectly and indeed the rest of the match couldn’t have played out better for Heathfield if it had been scripted.

With 20 minutes gone and much of Chichester’s phased play being nullified by better defensive options from Heathfield, Adam Davies smashed through from 5m to score near the posts. Reilly converted taking the score to 22 – 31.

Heathfield maintained possession, territory and pressure from the restart and again drove hard into the Chichester 22. A penalty conceded by Chichester in front of the posts was quickly taken by Rob Flett and with a deft wide pass just found Tim Sills hugging the touchline. Sills beat the initial cover and sauntered over to score right in the corner. Reilly, now with kicking boots on, converted the match’s most demanding kick with aplomb. Score now 29 – 31 and 10 minutes left to play.

Chichester, as expected, were ferocious in their reply with wave after wave of attack. They came close to scoring on at least 3 occasions in these final minutes but superb tackling and a collective will prevented the line being crossed.

Indeed, Chichester attacked off another scrum 20m out but this time Piers O’Conor, who had been causing problems for the Chichester backs all match, read the play perfectly and snatched the ball from the fingertips of his opposing centre and cantered unopposed the 80m to score under the posts and with Reilly converting, Heathfield had again taken the lead 36 – 31.

Heathfield kept Chichester at bay for the final 3 minutes of play and won one of their toughest matches of the season against a well drilled side committed to playing open attacking rugby but with nuggets of aggression at the breakdown. Although the match score perhaps indicates “festival rugby”, this was a bruising encounter played out by two extremely capable and committed sides but with the true spirit of rugby at its heart.

The fight back Heathfield put in to win this match had all the hallmarks of this squads great Divisional and National cup runs of the previous season and showed perfectly this teams resilience, attitude, ability and trust in each other to overcome adversity.

Full Time: Heathfield win 36 – 31.

Team: Adam Davies, Charlie Price, Max Ellery, Henry Ross, Isaac Brown, Rob Flett, Jasper Wrenn, Rory Cramp, Kieran Burdett, Harry Reilly, Tim Sills, Fergus Diplock, Piers O’Conor, Freddy Jones, Henry Jolliffe, Jack Smith.

Missing through injury or unavailability:
Lewis Golding
Alex Borg
Jamie Wardle
James Higgins
Travis Parsons
Gareth Lloyd
Jack Koops
Harry Sperring

Heathfield won the league by 10 points and were the only undefeated side. Indeed Chichester, who came second with the next best win/loss record, lost 3 matches. The league table was very tight below Heathfield with Chichester, Brighton, Crawley and Lewes all having similar records. This just underlines how good this Heathfield squad really is!!!

Well done lads and good luck with your future rugby.

Match report by Guy Ellery.