There was plenty of seasonal goodwill, and for many a fine Christmas lunch pre-match at Cross-in-Hand on Saturday. Heathfield & Waldron, after a fine run of form, would start as clear favourites, especially as the locals felt the very heavy pitch would negate the speed and guile of Crowborough’s young backline.
Thankfully the rain of the morning had abated but the leaden grey sky, the very heavy underfoot conditions, and the stiff breeze was not a portent for open-running rugby. Both sets of players put that notion to rest early on with them trying to play with speed and width. Heathfield & Waldron had the better of the opening few minutes but their ambitions were thwarted thanks to spirited Crowborough defence and basic handling errors. Crowborough’s early pressure was rewarded when the ball was turned over. Eschewing the pragmatic approach the red and white clad youngsters threw the ball wide where Jared Hermann latched on to the ball with space in front of him and the line beckoning. His pace and dancing feet took him past the desperate defence for the try in the corner. The conversion from Oscar Thatcher was missed.
Crowborough with the breeze at their backs, making fewer mistakes, and using the ball wisely were now the dominant side. That all changed when a clearance kick was charged down with the hosts pouncing on the loose ball. Excellent support play saw them drive deep into the ‘Borough half where robust defence kept the green horde at bay. The pressure was relieved when an totally unnecessary late tackle on Crowborough’s Sam Skinner saw the referee march Heathfield & Waldron to where the ball landed some 50 metres from the try line.
Crowborough continued to be marginally the better side with most of the territory and possession but fair play to both teams they continued to use the ball with ambition despite it being like a bar of soap. Heathfield & Waldron used their big forwards well to break down ‘Borough’s defence and their lively back line tried manfully to get behind the red & white wall. All too often the defence stood the test admirably and a silly home mistake would relieve the pressure. Despite the conditions the large and jovial crowd were enjoying the encounter. The half closed at 5-0 to the visitors.
With the wind having strengthened and it now to their backs Heathfield & Waldron started the second half strongly. Boot to ball, and better handling saw Crowborough having to defend more vigorously. With 15 minutes of the half gone the hosts were awarded a penalty in front of the posts following a missed time high tackle. Three points were almost guaranteed for Toby Simpson, but somehow the ball was sent wide of the uprights leaving the scoreboard unchanged.
The hosts saw two players limp off injured making their task more difficult. Crowborough kept coming with Andy Kidd and Adam King making yards from the back row, with Sam Marchesi and Sam Skinner at 9 and 10 keeping the back line moving. Will Creasy and Dave Bennett, the powerhouses in the pack were a constant threat. With 25 minutes of the second period gone, another unnecessary action saw Heathfield & Waldron down to 14 men thanks to a yellow card and a kick in front of the posts for Crowborough to extend their lead. Oscar Thatcher, despite the wind slotted the ball through the uprights. 8-0.
Despite the worsening pitch conditions both sides put together some excellent passages of play. One such moment saw Crowborough win the ball against the head in a scrum. Swift passing through the hands saw young Hermann drive deep into the home half. His progress was stopped but the boys in support kept up the momentum. Heathfield & Waldron again infringed in front of the posts and again Oscar Thatcher added the points. With the clock now almost at full-time the score of 11-0 looked unassailable.

Desperate to get something out of the game the home side threw everything into the last minutes. Good forward play, decisive handling in the backs and they were almost over. Somehow with the line beckoning the ball found its way into the hands of Crowborough’s Gus Weir who outpaced the green defence taking the ball almost the full length. He was finally dragged down metres from the line but had the foresight to seek the fast charging support of the Marchesi brothers. Sam was on hand at the death and popped the ball down over the line for the match winning score. The conversion was missed leaving the score 16-0.
The closing minutes were all Heathfield & Waldron but despite Crowborough down to 14 men following yellow card, to Sam Marchesi, (somehow the referee picked the wrong player for the infringement) they couldn’t get past the red wall. The final whistle and a fine 16-0 win for Crowborough. With Dover also winning Crowborough stay in 6th spot.
Two good sides served up an excellent contest, well refereed in front of a large and friendly crowd. A good way to go to into the Christmas and New Year Festivities.