A week of rain meant desperate conditions at Whitemans Green as Heath faced fellow mid-table Sussex rivals Eastbourne in the final league match for November.

This fixture is always a tough encounter and with only one point separating the sides in the league before kick off and on the back of two comprehensive defeats from Eastbourne last season, Heath were going to need to lift their game in order to extend their three game winning streak.

Matters did not go to plan for the Heath side from kick off and they were immediately under pressure from the big Eastbourne pack. A penalty was conceded after only two minutes which Eastbourne kicked for 0-3.

It was looking like it would be a long afternoon for Heath as relentless pressure from Eastbourne driven on by their impressive scrum half kept the home side pinned back in their half with matters compounded by a yellow card.

Whilst Eastbourne missed a penalty which would have increased their lead, the early pattern of play continued and the visitors were over the white wash just short of 20 minutes through their centre after Heath had kicked a goal line clearance directly into touch forcing a five metre scrum. The score was converted for a 0-10 lead to the visitors.

With a quarter of the game gone Heath started to get to grips with not only the conditions but also the opposition. The Heath forwards were outstanding all afternoon and as a marauding unit smothered their bigger opponents forcing regular mistakes or turnovers. Although struggling in the scrum, the line-outs were working far better than in previous weeks and this gave Heath the platform to launch a number of attacks. Despite the atrocious pitch conditions Heath were able to move the ball wide on a number of occasions and looked threatening.

With just under ten minutes to the interval some sustained pressure in the Eastbourne half meant Heath were able to build up a head of steam. Relentless at the breakdown the home pack forced the opposition back and it was front row Charles Newey who crashed his way through a crowd of defenders for his third try of the season. Tom Wharton made no mistake with the conversion for 7-10 at half time.

The second half was mainly played in the Eastbourne half with the Heath pack continuing to shut down their opposing forwards and the home backs marshalling their opposite numbers any time there was an attempt to run out of defence.

Twice Heath line breaks seemed to have broken the Eastbourne defence only for last ditch tackling to deny the home side the score. Eastbourne were losing their discipline and lost two players to the bin.

With only around ten minutes remaining Eastbourne were caught offside and Wharton was able to kick the penalty and level things up at 10-10.

Eastbourne wouldn't lie down and finally forced their way into the Heath half where they won a penalty - the kick at goal fell short and although Heath ran it out they conceded another penalty. Eastbourne opted for a scrum on the edge of the Heath 22 and whilst the ball was fizzed into midfield it went behind the intended recipient and Heath were able to hack the ball clear and back into opposition territory.

Held up on the line again it appeared Heath were going to have to settle for the draw but with seconds remaining on the clock a clearance kick from the visitors failed to reach touch. Unfortunately for Eastbourne it was fielded by Heath Player of the Match Josh Salisbury who ran the ball back with interest and into contact and the efficient Heath pack recycled it. The ball was spun into centre field where winger Jack Flower burst through at an angle and instead of passing stuck a grubber kick through which held up in goal allowing skipper Jack Lucas to win the foot race against the Eastbourne full back and touch down for the winning score to jubilant scenes from the clubhouse balcony. Wharton slotted the extras and the final whistle sounded immediately giving the home side the win.

This was an outstanding performance from Heath who out-battled the opposition and appeared more hungry for the win despite playing a far more experienced side. It leaves them in fifth place in the Counties Surrey/Sussex 1 league after completing a run of four consecutive wins.

On the adjacent pitch the Heath RAMs faced a strong Crowborough 2s side and despite lending the opposition a player ended up losing a highly entertaining game 29-45 with a try each for Che Stokes, Martin McDonagh, Marcus Pemberton and two for Player of the Match Ollie Goswamy.

Next weekend sees Heath 1st XV away to London Cornish.
There was a full house in the Clubhouse post match with live rugby on the big screens and remember that the rugby club is hosting a special New Year’s Eve Party this year with a live band. Tickets bought in advance are just £25 BOOK HERE

Heath 1st team Squad: Euan Greaves-Smith; Flinn Herbert; Charles Newey; Dan Jarman; Harry Clarke; George Targett; Josh Salisbury; Connor Mullins; Jamie Thurston; Tom Wharton; Matt Cains; Jack Lucas (capt); Josh Pratt; Jack Flower; Evan Herbert; Harry Edwards; Ellis Dubois; Oscar Mann