Tries: Callum H 7, Rory 2, Lol 1, Ollie H 1, Toby 1
Conversions: Ben 2, Harry 7

Waldron provided a perfect setting for this lunchtime encounter on a lovely spring day, ideal for open running rugby.

For the first time this season the coaches had reserves and selection dilemmas as a whopping 18 players were at their disposal! Overcome with excitement the Heath coaches opted for 4 quarters of play to try out all the players and various combinations.

The game kicked off and saw Heath receive the ball. After several forays Crowborough managed to turnover Heath through some sloppy ball presentation and counter attack. Evens stevens after five minutes but then Heath’s forwards started to exert some pressure with strong, direct forward runs. This resulted in lovely quick ball to the backs and a try by Callum H. From the kick off Heath caught and drove straight back, lovely jinking runs from Lol and Hobson combined with the straight running of Smith and Higgins and quick ball was spun down the backs. Callum Ridyard was caught short of the line and offloaded for Callum H’s second try. Heath’s confidence was growing and more attacking runs by the forwards from the kick off put them deep into Crowborough’s half. The forwards seem to have forgot about the winger, Shanners, as there were several opportunities for them to put him away but after Crowborough failed to clear from their in-goal area, Rory and Lol combined to capture the player and Rory scored or was it Lol, as Rory’s dad insisted it was his son’s try, so it is then! Heath continued to dominate possession and keep hold of the ball. Forwards and backs combined again and Callum H, relishing the role of fly half scored again. Hat trick!
In this first quarter there was one final piece of Heathfield magic which saw the ball run upfield by the forwards, a couple of phases later backs and forwards combined to send Toby down the flank to score under the posts. Wonderful Handling.

In the second quarter the Heathfield intensity dropped a little after their confident start but soon the strong running of Callum H showed as from a strong forward position and playing at inside centre, he ran through the opposing centres to score. Shortly followed by an opportunist try by Lol when the loose passing in the Heath backs fell to him at outside centre and he countered in the opposite direction of the flow to score, out pacing the defense.

On to the third quarter and Hallit was switched to the wing as new combinations were tried. This resulted in the new midfield running straight and passing intelligently to create space for Callum H to run in a further two tries. However, Callum H was not finished. After slow ball from the forwards was messily delivered back to Robson, who under massive pressure, managed to pass it to Harry Foster. He sent up a high ‘gary-owen’ into the Crowborough 22. Who should collect it but Callum H and over the line he went. 7 tries in total, a record for the U15s.
In this quarter Crowborough got themselves within five metres of Heath’s line where from the lineout they one scrappy ball and drove over the line to score.

So to the final 20mins. This was a much closer affair but tries by Rory and Ollie H ensured it was won by Heath.

In summary, a great confidence building match for the boys with everyone showing their talents and just what this team is capable of when virtually the whole squad is available. Next week is Chichester at home, again another friendly, and will give the boys a chance to avenge the league defeat at the beginning of the season.