For the second week in a row the two senior Heath sides won their matches on adjacent pitches. However, also for the second week in a row, Heath 1stXV had to claw their way back into the game before ultimately taking a narrow victory.

Heath faced a tough challenge against a Brighton side boasting a number of players who have regularly played at a higher league level and for much of the game it looked like they would come off second best.

A lively start from Heath saw them score after just three minutes when a quick tapped penalty from Josh Mann on the opposition 22 caught out the visiting defence and sharp passing saw Will Galbraith-Gibbons over in the corner for a try. Tom Wharton picking up his kicking boots from last week knocked the extras over from out wide for an early 7-0 lead.

Brighton's physicality up front soon started to show and after some momentum was gained from their forwards the ball was moved wide and a try for 7-5. On the quarter hour mark more hard lines from the Brighton pack saw a speedy pick and go from their scrum half who darted over for 7-12.

Heath were having difficulties against a well drilled Brighton side particularly in the set piece with the scrum under pressure and the lineout malfunctioning meaning there was not much of a platform on which to base any attack. On 24 minutes the visitors scored again when their fly half sent a long floated pass out wide for a score in the corner and 7-19.

Things got worse for Heath when a scrum on the Heath 5 metre line saw their scrum half nip over for a bonus point score and a seemingly insurmountable lead at 7-24. However, on the stroke of half time Heath hit back and some good territory gain saw quick ball emerge as Wharton found centre Christian Streeter running an inside line to go under the posts for a converted try and a 14-24 scoreline, but most importantly a change of momentum to the game.

This meant Heath turned around at half time playing down the hill with a renewed sense of belief. A mazy run from his own half by Mann cut the Brighton defence open and a beautifully timed pass to the supporting Wilf Bridges saw a gallop to the line for a third try to Heath. Wharton knocked over from under the posts and it seemed game on at 21-24.

Brighton worked their way back up the pitch and a scrum 5 metres out saw their backrow over for a try to make the score 21-31. But Heath were far from done and as their strong fitness started to tell the visitors became rattled and got on the wrong side of the referee with ill discipline leading to a number of penalties to Heath.

The Heath pack had their tails up driving to the Brighton half where another half break from player of the match Mann took play up to 10 metres out. A strong drive from the Heath pack saw them over the line for a try scored by the industrious Elliot Higgin to make it 26-31 with 15 minutes left to play.

A Brighton scrum in the Heath half was let down by poor passing in their backs and when the clear up pass was made Wharton was quick to intercept and outstrip the back peddling defence for a try under the posts which he converted himself to see Heath take a 33-31 scoreline and a very narrow lead.

Spectators were becoming tense but a fierce and determined Heath defence kept Brighton out in the last 10 minutes until a penalty was conceded in the last play of the game, wide left just outside the Heath 22. The kick at goal to win the game slid wide and the final whistle sounded for a great win which leaves Heath top of the Sussex Counties 2 table. This was a brave performance from Heath who grew into the game and really hung on when things were going against them, using their evident fitness advantage to see them home.

On the next door pitch the Heath Rams were hosting Horsham 3s and in a competitive but good natured match ran out 49-12 winners to keep their good run going. Both squads are open to new players at any time so whatever age or ability, if you would like to join a friendly, welcoming rugby club and have a run out this season, email rugby@hhrfc.co.uk

1st XV squad : Elliot Higgin; Will Purdy; Harry Edwards; Charlie Fenwick; Ellis Dubois; Fraser Russell; Tom Smith; Wilf Bridges(capt); Jamie Thurston; Tom Wharton; Takhy Ndiaye-Marrero; Christian Streeter; Josh Mann; Cameron Reed; Will Galbraith-Gibbons; Seb Broster; Chris Neill; Dan Jarman