This was a first-time fixture for the Colts, playing Ashford RFC’s U17 side. Both teams were using this fixture as a warm-up to their respective league matches the following week.

Heathfield dominated play immediately from the kick off and threatened (actually over the line!) to score at least 3 times in the first 9 or 10 minutes. Unfortunately rustiness (not having played or trained for 3 weeks) had an effect and most definitely pretty much all of the squad with hang-overs or worse had an effect. The ball was dropped 3 times by players over the try-line.

Ashford weathered the ominous storm clouds and started attacks of their own. Indeed it was during such an attack, deep in Heathfield’s 22, that an Ashford knock-on allowed a hack clear and Gareth Lloyd managed to gather and outpace the covering defence o score under the posts. Lloyd converted his own try for Heathfield to take the lead 7 – 0.

Ashford resumed their attacks, using 3 of their rather large forwards to try and punch holes around the fringes and often gained hard won ground in this way. However, when their backs were used, they lacked penetration to break the Heathfield defence.

On the other hand, Heathfield, when the ball was used AND when not dropped or lost in a tackle, actually looked quite dangerous. Indeed, from a lineout 15m out, Heathfield scored another 1st phase try with Jack Koops crashing through. Lloyd failed on this attempt but Heathfield nowed gained a bit of composure and breathing space with the score-line at 12 – 0.

Half Time: Heathfield lead 12 – 0.

The second half was much tougher, with both sides belligerent there were good confrontations all over the pitch. Nothing nasty or dangerous, just good old fashioned determination and aggression from both sides.

Ashford kept attacking the narrow channels with their 3 big lads and Heathfield kept dropping the ball until at last Tim Sills, receiving the ball just in his own half, backed himself for the race to the line. Sills rounded the first tackler, then managed to fend off a further 3 tackles whilst sprinting down the touchline. An excellent try tha went unconverted.

The match meandered a little before the final whistle with a long stoppage to Koops who was carted off to Hospital with an horrendous injury to his knee.
We also had a new recruit – Dan Meade – who came on at tight-head and performed a sterling job. Hopefully Dan enjoyed the match and will return to help bolster Heathfields rather small squad.

Full Time: Heathfield win 19 – 0.

Jack Koops sustained an injury to his knee (4-inch gash across the top of the knee down to the bone!!! Makes me shudder just typing this!!!) which will require several months repair-time. The squad wish you well and a speedy return Jack.

Team: Golding, Borg, Ellery, Ross, Smith, Brown, Higgins, Cramp, Jolliffe, Sperring, Sills, O’Conor, Diplock, Lloyd, Koops, Jones, Dan Meade.