This was the U15s first outing of 2011, despite tireless work by John to find us a friendly, and followed a comprehensive win over Haywards Heath prior to Christmas , so the question was could the boys continue that form?

A slightly depleted team, through injuries, took to the field at Lewes and pressurised the home team immediately. The boys’ enthusiasm for a game, like dogs let off the leash, continued for the opening 5 to 10 mins but without a score. Lewes defended well and simple errors prevented Heath from scoring. MacVicker going close only to lose his footing in the mud!

The first score went to Lewes, against the run-of-play, when the Lewes centre intercepted a Heath midfield pass deep in Lewes’ part of the pitch. The covering defence stopped him but the next three phases of quick recycled ball saw Lewes score a try outwide to the right of the posts.

From the kick off Heath went straight back into Lewes’ half and try! A quick turnover ball, excellent hands in the back put us on their line and then Callum Hallit picked up and burrowed over.

Even-stevens. The coaches and crowd knew they were in for a tight game. Suddenly Lewes broke from the kick off which Heath didn’t secure and scored again outwide during which MacVicker, Heath’s deadly outside centre, went off concussed. This was a sorry loss as without cover our dominating pack had to be re-shuffled and Hallit put in the backs.

The disruption gave Lewes renewed confidence and led to several scores. Matters weren’t helped when Heath went down to 14 men as Higgins was yellow carded, early in the second half, for what looked like a late challenge. Heath also committed a number of errors when in possession of the ball – a classic being when only five yards out from Lewes’ try line a speculative 20-yard pass from the ruck to our wing was intercepted and the Lewes winger ran the length of the pitch to score.

Heath did have a final shining moment at the end of the game when the Heath forwards set a ruck near the Lewes try line for Hallit to score his second try.

Both tries were duly converted by Harry.

In summary, Heath looked a little rusty today after their winter lay- off. Worthing up next week.