Despite overnight rain reducing the pitch to a quagmire, Heath were desperate to get the semi final played away at Hove on Sunday to prevent their fixture backlog pushing the season into May. Although the home side initially felt conditions unplayable, the referee stepped in to give the go ahead so the game got underway despite the mud and proved to be a highly competitive and entertaining match.

Hove started well but for all their pressure couldn't find a way through the renowned Heath defence. As Heath worked their way into the game they too had their moments but couldn't get through an equally resolute Hove defensive set up and the game remained 0-0 until shortly before the half time break when Heath winger Dan Childs shot down the touch line and over for a score in the corner and 0-5.

Heath stepped up the pressure in the second half and a Hove infringement right in front of the posts saw Ed Hartley, the Heath fly-half, kick a penalty for 0-8. Hove fought back and a kick to the corner almost saw them over but for a knock on over the line meant this was ruled no try and a useful reminder to Heath to keep their concentration. The final half hour saw Heath grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Good support play from a Heath attack saw fly half Hartley score a try out wide for 0-13 to make it a two score match.

Then, with the last play of the game came the best play of the game. A long kick from Hove saw Heath counter from their own 22 running the ball out of defence where it was passed to tight head Charlie Bennett who turned on the pace, threw an outrageous dummy and shot through a gap in the Hove back line before off loading to wing George Melik to dive over for a top quality try and a seemingly unassailable lead. The conversion slid wide but the referee blew the final whistle on a very competitive game played in a great spirit by both teams on the pitch.

The win sees the Heath Colts still in with a chance of doing the Sussex league and cup double. Next weekend they play old rivals Worthing away in the league and on the 23rd April will face Brighton Colts in the final of the Sussex Colts Cup.