Heathfield II 44 Hellingly 0
Heathfield’s second team had a convincing victory by 8 tries to nil over old rivals Hellingly 2s in this Sussex Cup Vase semi-final. Both sides had a remarkable range of age, size and ability that speaks well for rugby at this level in the county.
On a remarkably benign day for February with little wind and plenty of sun both teams tried to play open rugby although the overnight rain meant that waterlogged Sussex clay stifled a more open game.
Heathfield played up the slope initially and soon charged up towards the home clubhouse as Marcellus Edmonds made the first of his numerous runs and a try would have followed but the final pass went astray. Hellingly quickly realised the Edmonds threat and thereafter often double teamed their tackles on him but which thereby created space elsewhere.
From good field position near the left hand corner the Heathfield scrum delivered secure ball and fly half Sam Goatcher moved to the blindside to create space for wing Dan Canneaux to have a simple finish in the corner.
The next fifteen minutes were a real contest which makes the eventual score line an unfair reflection on Hellingly. The visitors were using their big men to charge down the slope and it took stout tackling by the home side to prevent any scores.
Based on a scrummage which had a clear edge and a back row which became the increasingly significant force, approaching the end of the first quarter Heathfield worked their way back up the field and after multiple phases Alex Lester was able to bustle over from short range for the second try.
A few minutes later more pressure into the top corner saw a charge down by Ryan Vater result in reclaimed possession and soon afterwards Ed Bowman barged over from short range. Aaron Ward converted for a comfortable 17-0 lead. Vater had an impressive all round game with energy and attitude which will have been noted by head Coach Dave Cook.
However just at the end of the half Hellingly may well have scored in a heap of bodies but the referee was unsighted and rightly awarded held up.
Heathfield always had an edge in the scrum while the lineout was a mess for both sides.
Hellingly needed an early score to regain the initiative in the second half but instead Heathfield had much the better of the third quarter. This started with a Goatcher kick deep to the left corner which left wing Alex Borg, making a welcome reappearance, may have touched down but with other bodies involved no try could be awarded.
Heathfield were now well in control with skipper Jack Bayley having a characteristically energetic and effective day at scrum half. Bayley secured a turnover in the left hand corner and good hands involving amongst others Goatcher and Gus Wright saw Edmonds collect the try in the bottom right hand corner – it was not so much a touchdown as a splash down in this worst part of the pitch.
A few minutes later veteran Kenny Lewis barged over from short range following a tap penalty in the visitors 22. Then Borg made good yards on the left wing and quick ball was moved wide right for Canneaux to collect his second try on the day.
Entering the last quarter Vater now collected due reward for his efforts as he followed up a chip into the bottom corner and was adjudged to have been first to the touch.
Heathfield’s scoring was completed when Bayley worked his way through several tackles for a deserved individual score.
This commitment on both sides had been considerable and the impact had taken its toll with some not-so-young bodies taking their time to regain their feet after a collision. Both sides used all their replacements but eventually Hellingly ran out of players. It is testament to the spirit in which the game was played that Lewis then chose to play for Hellingly for the rest of the match so as to ensure a good contest. It has to be said that Hellingly had the better of the last few minutes although they were unable to trouble the scoreboard: nobody would have begrudged them that consolation.
Hellingly prop Bradley Spokes epitomised his sides’ gritty determination with repeated bullocking runs which needed committed tackling. However on the day Heathfield had too much possession and made better use of it. This was mainly based on their back row of Vater, Lester and James Thompson and a fly half in Goatcher who controlled the game well. The back division with Edmonds and Wright in the centre were notably effective in exploiting the subsequent opportunities. Aaron Ward had a solid day at full back and collected two out of eight conversions although many were from wide out.
Heathfield will play Littlehampton. in the Vase Final At Burgess Hill on 4th April.

Team 1. James Cooley 2. Kenny Lewis 3. Julian Porter 4. Danny Bazen 5. Ed Bowman 6. Alex Lester 7. Ryan Vater 8. James Thompson 9. Jack Bayley 10. Sam Goatcher 11. Dann Canneaux 12. Gus Wright 13. Marcellus Edmonds 14. Alex Borg 15. Aaron Ward 16. Craig Martin 17. Paul Hookway 18. D Washington 19. Michael Silve