Jersey Colts win it in the end

Heathfield Colts 15 Jersey Colts 20
Jersey Colts snatched a win in the final play of this Sussex Colts Cup Quarter Final against Heathfield Colts.
Heathfield had an unfamiliar look to their team as their Eastbourne College contingent were unavailable because of their imminent involvement in another cup contest. With eight people missing this tested the depth of Heathfield’s limited resources but also gave a chance for some less prominent players to put their hand up. By agreement with Jersey Heathfield were bolstered by two 19 year olds without whom a fair contest would have been unlikely – Ollie Tooke and Tom Reilly both showed their value in their own specific roles.
Heathfield opened the scoring with a well taken try in the top corner by Jack Palmer on the right wing. Jersey worked their way back down the pitch and eventually collected a penalty.
Entering the second quarter some sustained home pressure towards the left hand corner was finally rewarded by a try for Tooke who worked his way over in a heap of bodies, converted by Reilly.
Heathfield extended their lead on the half hour with another penalty although Jersey finished the half with some sustained albeit unsuccessful pressure on the home try line.
Heathfield shaded the breakdown in this half with all of the back row being especially commended by the coaches afterwards. This gave them an edge in possession which nullified the larger Jersey pack. Tooke had his hands full with the sizeable visiting tight head but did well, winning at least one penalty in the tight.
In accordance with the half game principle Heathfield made multiple changes at half time although Jersey looked to have a smaller squad available and thus made fewer changes.
In the second half Jersey had far more possession and duly benefitted so the home defence was fully stretched and generally did well. The Jersey scum half always had an eye for the snipe and both their props took plenty of serious tackling.
Soon the Jersey outside centre made a mazy run in the home 22 which left the home defenders flatfooted and the conversion reduced the lead to 5 points (15-10).
Approaching the end of the third quarter more sustained possession finally led to another Jersey try this time in the top corner but the missed difficult conversion left the scores tied.
For a long time it looked as though it would be necessary to investigate the fine print of the Sussex Cup competition regulations regarding drawn games. With ten minutes remaining a Heathfield penalty gave Reilly a chance to snatch a result. However his kick from about the ten metre line was just short.
In the last play of the game Jersey turned over possession in their own half and good hands found their right wing who just had the gas to evade the pursuers for a try in the top corner and decide the contest.
Heathfield will look forward to the rematch against these opponents in a few weeks time in a league match when the full squad will be available (3 Apr 2.00)
Tesam 1. George Walter 2. Ethan Greenlees 3. Ollie Tooke 4. Will Wallis 5. Callum O’Reilly 6 Roman Osborne 7 Casper Watson 8 Zak Dunn 9. Harry Westgate 10 Will Gaffney 11 Zak Remnant 12. Tom Reilly 13 Tom Samuel 14 Jack Palmer 15 Xander Samuel
Replacements Monty Simmonds 17 Luke Flint 18 Teddy Clements 19 Killian Kennedy 20 Henry Millington