This was to be another demonstration of the competitiveness of this League, with the only two Sussex representatives contesting the second derby match of the season, the first ending in a 3-3 draw after an error strewn encounter in September.
The two sides, based just six miles apart, have much history with most of the players having a friendly rivalry, having played against each other since mini, and junior rugby days.
The occasion was naturally graced by a large and vocal partisan crowd, who were to be treated to perhaps one of the most exciting match ups seen in recent years at Steel Cross, with the action lasting for a full 89 minutes!
Recent matches have seen the Crowborough physio table filling up, with several injuries approaching season ending seriousness. This week’s batch included the centre pairing of Ollie Clinch and Rob Lester, #8 Andy Kidd and lock George Jones, although Harry Slatter and Bertie Boast made a welcome return. Bertie Boast #13 and Sam Skinner 12, would slot seamlessly in to the 12 and 13 berths.
The first four minutes was an intense and bruising period of play with both sides determined to impose their authority upon the other. It is often the case in such occasions, that neither achieve that goal, and this was such an occasion, when Heathfield settled for a simple penalty, for ‘Boro being offside, to get the scoreboard ticking over.0-3
With both sets of defence cancelling each other out with some uncompromising earth shaking tackles in the centre of the field, Sam Marchesi, decided to break the deadlock and release his backs on a series of attacks down the left. With the backs straightening the line to provide space on the wing and slow down the drift defence, Sam Skinner slipped the ball to Will Pitman on the left wing to dive over in the corner for the unconverted score. 5-3.
There was to be no respite. The Greenies were soon back on the offensive, and when ‘Boro were pinged for a high tackle, Heathfield put the ball into touch on the 5 metre line. Winning their own lineout, the giant prop wearing #21, who would go on to play a major role in this contest, crashed over in the corner, taking several defenders with him to register the score which was well converted 5-10.
On the field there was little between the sides, and moments later the gap on the scoreboard confirmed how finely balanced this game was going to be, when Will Pitman, having found the space earlier , repeated the trick only to knock on as he crossed the line. However the referee was playing advantage and brought play back to the 20 metre line.
From the tap, the driving maul drew in the defence, and as ruck formed several pick and drives saw Dave Bennett on the end of a pop pass to sprint the final three metres to score by the posts for a Jonte Fraser converted try, which brought the half to an end.12-10 HT
Neither side benefited from the southerly wind during the first half, but from the Heathfield restart, the wind caught the drop out and sent the ball directly into touch. From the scrum Sam Marchesi dummied out to the right, before turning the ball inside to Jonte Fraser to wrong foot the defence and send the attack down the left. With Will Pitman alone on the wing he put in a speculative kick, which although he reached it in the goal area, was judged to have been knocked on. From the goaline drop out, which dropped short, the ‘Boro pack drove and recycled the ball that Will Creasey gratefully accepted at the back of the maul to drive over for a Jonte Fraser converted try 19-10.
It was no surprise when Heathfield made it a four point game once more when they attacked from a lineout on the ‘Boro 5 metre line and with force of numbers rolled over the line to score an unconverted try. 19-15
Bertie Boast celebrated his return when the ‘Boro backs engineered a two man overlap featuring Joseph Chapman and Harry Marchesi who passed inside to Bertie Boast to score an unconverted try. 24-15
Well into the second half, it seemed that it was time for a bit of Eddie Jones kick tennis, with both sides sharing nine kicks between the 22’s all being well fielded and returned. Until the final kick which was well caught by Jonte Fraser, but with flanker Cornwell following up the kick, the attempted return kick was charged down, and although Sam Marchesi covered across to dive on the loose ball ,Tom Cornwell managed to snatch it and cross the line for another converted try. 24-22
The official indicated 9 minutes of play remaining, and both sets of supporters were becoming more vocal.
But there was more to come. Much more!
Hooker Sam Edwards was replaced by Ben Martyn, as Heathfield were awarded a penalty which they placed into touch 5 metres out. Crowborough have been here before, in the dying moments of a match, and once more the determined attack came off best as the #21 once more took the off-load to crash over for an unconverted try , but more crucially to take the lead with just minutes left in the game. 24-27
Around the ground the “D” word was being muttered, but ‘Boro had to get into position first before that could be entertained. Could the game end in a draw again!
‘Boro advanced down the left of the field, and Heathfield transgressed, and were down to 14 players. With part of the crowd calling for the points to be taken, it appeared that the distance was too far to be certain, so elected to go for the scrum. The scrum was won and Sam Marchesi whipped the ball right, but the defence were up too quickly and a penalty in front of the posts was awarded. Surely the draw was now on?
In a moment of calm and supreme confidence, that few on the touchline could countenance, the 3 points were ignored as they packed down once more. The ball was won, and ‘Boro attacked down the right wing, but as the Greenies tried to put the ball into touch the referee had already signalled for a third penalty. By now the crowd expected nothing more than another scrum, and they were not to be disappointed as the ball was won and moved right where a lurking Dave Bennett latched onto the pass to score out wide for a Jonte Fraser converted try. 31-27
The final whistle went and the jubilant ‘Boro fifteen showed that they knew they had been in an epic confrontation and had played their final “ get out of jail free card” of 2023. This was a reward for a real show of character and dogged determination, but Heathfield will wonder just what they have to do to get those extra points? On this evidence our neighbours will be safe and surely move up the table during the second half of the season.
This result keeps Crowborough in 4th place with Heathfield gaining two points in 9th. For all those present it was a real privilege to watch .