Burgess Hill played the Heathfield and Waldron under 14’s in a friendly fixture at Waldron this Sunday. The home side supplied some players to a depleted Burgess Hill side and the home coaches rang the changes in some key positions.

The Greenies totally dominated the first half with the forwards being dominant in the loose. Miles Geldart scored three times playing at Lock for the injured Angus MacLeod. Tom Wates scored from deep at full back with an impressive series of hand offs on his way. Rory Sweetman, Leo Burdett and Owain Groves also got on the team sheet in the first half. Liam Parsons was outstanding in his support play injecting a lot of pace and linking in to keep the ball moving. (His boots were not however magic enough to convert tries.)

Ben Jones at scrum half distributed well and put in some great cover tackles. Some superb passing came from the centre partnership of Theo Michael and Will Gribble. Theo Michael was demonstrating some great ability to draw defenders and ship the ball on. Josh Puplett proved he is developing fast and made some important cover tackles and a couple of good breaks with ball in hand. Cameron Carr slotted all but one of the conversions in the first half.

All this left was a gargantuan task for the Sussex All Blacks to come back against in the second half. Our lad from the North, Chester Duff was on loan to the visitors and proved that when he got ball he was lethal. Great hands, great one handed pickups and the ability to read the game and intercept was all on show. However, the poor attempt at an Ashton swan dive will surely be remembered at the tour court session. However a great hat trick for the visitors!

Caio Mann found his fast legs again and scored a repost of three tries for the home side.
Although the score line was decisive it was a great game to watch played in good spirit and at a huge pace. The coaches will have been given some good insights to some of the lads who are developing and haven’t had as much game time as others this season.

Head Coach’s Man of the Match – Theo Michael

Match Report by James Geldart