This local derby featured the only two Sussex sides in this perversely named “Counties 1 Kent league”, Heathfield in a healthy 5th position against close neighbours Crowborough, propping up the league in 11th with just two wins to their name.
Combined with the unavailability of seven regular first choice selections, the large mainly partisan crowd; the impartial spectators; and even the die hard ‘Boro Travelling Faithful, would be hard pressed to conclude anything but a resounding home victory.
But Rugby is a funny old game!
Heathfield possess a well drilled back division, capable of scoring at will if given plenty of good quick ball. Crowborough have proved all season that they possess a tight and cohesive pack that punches well above it’s weight. The eighty minutes was to prove to be a fascinating contest between these two dynamics.
From the outset the Crowborough scrum forced the home side onto the back foot allowing the ‘Boro backs to stem the free flowing rugby that the home side favour, with decisive tackling on or before the gain line. Frustrated, Heathfield resorted to gaining ground through the kick and chase, but it was fully ten minutes before they were able to get within thirty metres of the ‘Boro line, when the visitors transgressed. Heathfield ignored the simple three points on offer and put the ball into touch on the ‘Boro five metre line intent on the seven points.
However Crowborough disrupted the lineout, and stole the ball clearing up field and into touch. Five minutes later Heathfield once again found themselves with a penalty in front of the sticks, and paid Crowborough the complement of taking the three points with twelve minutes played.3-0
The game continued flowing end to end with ‘Boro doing most of the tackling whilst Heathfield tried to find a way through to get the scoreboard ticking over. Several times Heathfield were within inches of a score before ‘Boro cleared their lines, but it could not continue and as halftime approached the Heathfield backs managed to engineer a well worked try wide out on the right which was equally well converted from the touchline to take the halftime score to 10-0
Crowborough have been on the end of far bigger halftime scores that this, and whatever was said at the briefing seemed to work, as ‘Boro started the second half re-galvanised, using the ball provided by the pack to good effect with Seb Lewis orchestrating his backs with a rare display of authority, taking the ball to within eighteen metres of the Heathfield line after just five minutes of the restart, where ‘Boro were granted a scrum. Securing the ball the nudge came on and slowly the collective moved towards the Heathfield line, gathering momentum until the home side slid over their line allowing Andy Kidd to claim the score which James Hart converted to take the score to 10-7.
The game continued end to end, but with twenty minutes of the half remaining Crowborough best passage of play saw a penalty placed into touch fifteen metres from the Heathfield line. From the lineout the ball was moved wide to the right to Shaun Streeter, who cut inside but held up short of the line. The pack arrived and secured possession and several pick and goes later pulled the defensive line narrow. Seb Lewis, seeing the wide open space occupied by an unmarked Rob Horsfall –Turner slung out an outrageously long cut out pass which Rob HT caught on the run to stroll over for the score which went unconverted. 10-12
The scoreboard continued to tick over as James Hart added three more points. 10-15. With confidence building, ‘Boro kicked a penalty to touch into the Heathfield 22. Winning the line out the pack drove towards the line before releasing their backs. Seb Lewis then drew a penalty for a late tackle which James Hart converted, making it an eight point/two score game with less than ten minutes remaining.10-18
Heathfield are not in fifth place for no reason, and sensing an upset they doubled down to try and get the two necessary scores. The first came from a penalty into the right corner. Winning the lineout, they bravely took on the ‘Boro pack and with ‘Boro slow to get into position, the home pack had the momentum driving towards the line. What appeared to many, to be the ball held up over the line, was soon explained as the official reached for his yellow card, then indicated a penalty try, bringing the game to a tantalising 17-18 score line with just three minutes remaining.
From the kick off, Heathfield ran the ball through the backs before ‘Boro halted the move on their own 22. Heathfield then transgressed and ‘Boro were awarded a penalty with just two minutes remaining.
The debate will run and run. The question, whether to kick to touch and out of penalty range but risking the lottery of the lineout, ( the last of which ‘Boro had lost ), or to opt for the scrum where ‘Boro had dominated and run down the last remaining seconds on the clock, albeit still within penalty range? Dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t!
The scrum option was chosen. What happens in the midst of the melee is known to only a select few, but the official spied something and awarded a penalty to the home side. No kick is easy, even from twenty metres, and certainly not a formality when kicking for the win, but the kicker was cool as he was accurate, leaving just time for the kick off which was gratefully cleared into touch to bring the game to and end with the large home crowd breathing a collective sigh of relief .20-18
Heathfield won this contest, taking the four points, but Crowborough were also winners, coming within seconds of the win, but more importantly rediscovering the passion, pride and emotion that has been missing for much of the season.

Next week Crowborough welcome 4th placed Charlton Park KO 2:30