It was another historic day for Haywards Heath RFC as the Club’s women’s team, the Heath Hellhounds, ran out for their first ever home match at Whitemans Green. After just 12 weeks of training together, the team made history not only as the first women’s side to play at the new Clubhouse, but also as the final link in the Club’s full female player pathway, from minis right the way through to senior (18+) women’s rugby.

The occasion was one to remember. The Heath women ran out of the new Clubhouse onto the pitch hand in hand with a young mini player, symbolising the Club’s commitment to growing future generations and they were greeted with huge cheers from a packed Clubhouse balcony and a crowd full of supporters, teammates and proud families.

From the opening whistle, Heath came out firing against a strong Hove side. The first try of the day came from Marie Waters, who received a pop pass from Amy Cooke 22 metres out before driving straight through the defence to score the first ever home try for Heath women - a moment that will live long in the Club’s history.

Next to score was Megan Cole, who crashed through multiple defenders in trademark style to touch down. Lizzie Bourne added the conversion to make the score 12 - 0. With the forwards working tirelessly to secure possession, Heath kept Hove pinned back in their own half.

Heath’s third try came from Cooke, who used quick vision and power to slice through two Hove defenders and score near the posts, extending the home side’s lead to 17 - 0.
Hove battled back, spending nearly ten minutes in Heath’s 22 before finding space out wide to score, making the scoreline to 17- 5. But Heath’s captain El Davey soon responded, bursting through the defensive line from 30 metres out to score under the posts, and then repeating the feat from halfway to claim her second try. Bourne’s reliable boot added the extras to take Heath into halftime 29 - 5 ahead.

After the break, with Hove short on players, in a great show of rugby spirit Heath lent the visitors a few to keep the game flowing and competitive. Chloe Young then made her mark, breaking through the defence to score a brilliant try, converted again by Bourne to extend the Heath lead to 36-5.

Hove hit back with two tries of their own, taking the score to 36-15, but the final word belonged to Heath’s dynamic number 8. From a set play near the line, Bourne picked smartly from the base of the scrum, linking with Vice Captain Harvey before Captain Davey dived over to score Heath’s final try and complete her hat trick. Bourne then slotted the conversion to seal a famous 43-15 victory.

This was a fantastic full squad performance from a developing side that is looking to maintain momentum during their first forays into competitive rugby this season. It’s a great time to join the Heath women’s squad and anyone interested, whatever age or experience, should contact womensrugby@hhrfc.co.uk. Training takes place on Thursday evenings 6:20pm to 7:30pm and Sundays 12 noon to 1:30pm – all welcome to come and try rugby and become part of a friendly and fast-improving women’s squad.

Heath Hellhounds Squad: Soph Tarbuck, Wensley Paradzai, Martha Nyamutamba, Charlie Fergusson, Jennifer Eustace, Megan Harvey (VC), El Davey (C), Lizzy Bourne, Mairead Gallagher, Chloe Young, Emma Peck, Megan Cole, Amy Cooke, Becky Webb, Marie Waters, Scarlett McDonald, Pip Whiles, Poppy Gladwell, Carina Turney, Lily Anderson, Mads Willis, Sarah Sharman, Lou D’Silva