With Hastings having 14 players and from the division below us both coaching teams agreed we would make this a development fixture. One for the whole squad but those that had not played yet or on the periphery of our league team playing most of the game.

With Freddie K at 10 we kicked off and we won the ball! Unfortunately this positive start was short lived as Hastings played through the phases and after being camped on our line scored first after just 6 mins.
Undaunted our players settled and where rewarded when Finn burst through to score a couple of mins later. Freddie converting his first of three conversions.
Back again came Hastings once again taking the lead 10-7 after the first quarter if the game.
Stan, Captain for the day, lead from the front. At inside centre combining the need to pass the ball on and breaking the gain line with great skill. Indeed it was Stan that scored next before Finn added another.
By now the forwards were really starting to click and some great handling among the backs and forwards released Joe who galloped over the line. HWRFC leading 22-10 at half time. Special thanks go to Jack, Jasper and Ellis who performed well for Hastings in the first half.
At half time the coaching team swapped all the subs in and moved a couple of positions. Now Toby with bossing things at 9 and Tom posted at full back. Our volunteers for Hastings now included Angus, Finn, Ollie T, Jo L and Freddie. Playing some great rugby that did HWRFC proud, with Finn playing at flanker for a short while.
The team took the confidence of the first half and grew. Unchanged om the front row. Jack L, Bradley and George were seen all over the park carrying the ball. Indeed one of the sights of the day was Jack L going clear and out sprinting the opposition for half length of the pitch to score!. By now Alfie had been joined by Ellis in the second row and both were regularly seen at the breakdown, sometimes wondering where everyone else was! Jay played the full 80 mins at flanker and impressed with his work rate.
With the team starting to click Jack F scored a brace and the dancing feet of Tom helped score another. Tom also converted when the support team actually remembered to give him a kicking tee!
Hastings never surrendered and scored two well worked tries in the second half before Heathfield scored our last try.
Special mention must go to; Hayden who did well in his first game for Heathfield, Ben B who who defended and attacked well at outside centre, Kieran who marshalled the right wing all game.
Really great game of rugby, tries to both sides and enjoyed by both coaching teams. So much so that we have been offered a return fixture at Hastings if we can fit it in! Thanks again to Hastings and good luck with the rest of the season.