David and Goliath.....

It looked like it was, David Versus Goliath at the beginning of this fixture. As man for man (with a couple of exceptions) Heath had the large team. However that didn't seem to phase the young Crowborough side who started this game.

With Siggsy away on vacation it was down to Dan Moore to select the best side available to him, With a number of injuries from Saturdays encounter with Lewes in the Quarter Final a few days ago. It was always going to be difficult with this Thursday evening game to get a Full team out. and so it was that we fielded a full compliment of 22 Players. Little did the opposition know before the fixture that they were facing 3 x 3rd XV Players, 5 x Colts and 3 x regular 2nd XV Players. One of which was playing on the wing, instead of the second row, his normal berth.

This was the first time the boys had ever played on the ATP 3g pitch, and looking at the them during the warm-up seemed to be happy with the surface.

From the start the pace of the game was fast and the early exchanges heavy and frantic, and with most of the pressure coming from the young Borough side, you would be for given for thinking that they were the smaller side.
An enfridgement by one of the Heath flankers, (in at the side of the ruck) gave Ali Main his first attempt at Goal, and he stuck the ball well, even with the wind, it sailed through the middle of the posts and out of the ATP area, 8 minutes gone, 0 - 3.
Haywards Heath started to put some phases together only for the final pass to go begging. At this point it was disappointing to see one of the colts leave the pitch with a shoulder injury, a real shame, Alex Purnell debut for the 1st XV came to an end.
He was replaced by Young, Rory Sweetman another of the colts making his debut for the 1st XV.
The Boro' pack now finding their feet and in full control of the scrummaging.
after his first success Ali Main had no hesitation when a Heath defender step up far to quick, making him off side during the next phase of play, Ali Main slotted the ball between the uprights , 0 - 6 on 15 minutes.
The pressure was still with the Crows and from the kick off, the ball was kick straight out and the resulting
scrummage creating a good platform to attack .... with Ben Delaney setting off the backs and Ali Main chipping through into the space for Sean Derrick to run into.. The ball bounced nicely for him and he galloped over the line to score the first try of the evening, 0 -11 to Crowborough.
This seem to trigger Hayward's Heath into action and the next phase's of play they secured a good platform in the 22 with a maul that subsequently went all the way to the try line and although the resultant Kick was missed they had a score on the board, 5 - 11.
The momentum was now with Heath and with only second's of the half remaining they scored another try to the right of the upright which the fly-half then converted without to much trouble. Half-time 12 - 11.
Borough were now behind and although they had control in the set piece and most of the play, they new it was important to get the next score.
From the kick-off it was Heath who seemed to have the upper hand, and although the defence had been solid all afternoon Heath scored an unconverted try out-wide. 17 -11.
This seemed to fire-up the forwards who had been in complete control all afternoon, with Richard Tasker, Mark Rosier & Phil Cooper having great carries and making good yardage. It was Heath that were under pressure which was starting to have an effect and they were looking ragged and straying off-side at the breakdown.
Ali Main's next penalty kick was a full 40 metres out and 12 metres in from the left hand touch line, and such was Ali's confidence that the kick was stuck brilliantly sailing at least 10 metres furthur than the cross bar. 17 - 14.
From the Heath kick-off the ball went straight into touch and the pressure was back on them. The following scrummage was not what they wanted right now, as when Ben Delaney put the ball in the front row struggled to contain the Boro' pack and Sean Derrick sheperded the push and 12 to 15 metres was gained, eventually the referee sounded his whistle, another penalty to Boro'.
Up step's Ali Main again, to bring the scores level with another well stuck kick, 17 - all, with 15 minutes to go.
The centre partnership of Andy Walter & Adam King were both working well together causing some concern to the Heath centre partnership, this was causing some damage, and the off-loading was really working well.
Time was now ticking by and the play was all with Crowborough and it was clear that Heath were tiring, and Boro' putting some good phase's together first to the right hand side then to the left, the ball was then given to young Harry Sansbury who sliced through 3 unsuccessful tackles to score the final try of the evening. 17 - 22 to Boro'. The kick was unfortunately missed and the boys had about 7 minutes to go.
Heath then kicked the ball straight into touch from the restart, for the fourth time tonight. This put a smile on the forwards face's as they marched back to the centre spot. Everyone new their duty now, for the next few minutes, and the boys held on for a great win against a really good Hayward's Heath side. The final score Heath 17 - Boro 22.
Crowborough now meet Horsham RFC at East Grinstead in the BR Cup Final a week on Saturday 9th May.

Man of the Match - Ali Main

And our referee was Mr Eric Walsh.