A sold out Christmas Lunch was the backdrop for what was probably Heath's most complete performance of the season as they served up some festive cheer for a packed clubhouse and balcony on Saturday, continuing an impressive run over the last few weeks.

The opening quarter of the game was a cagey affair with both sides looking to run the ball despite the sticky underfoot conditions. Other than a couple of kick and chase opportunities from Heath neither side were particularly close to scoring although Old Ruts did miss a penalty kick at goal.

Heath’s speed around the ruck was starting to create holes in the visitors’ defence and when the forwards got a foothold ten metres out it was only a matter of time before they scored and it was second row Dan Jarman who eventually pirouetted out of contact around the corner for the try. Olly Goswamy banged over the conversion for 7-0 after 25 minutes.

From the restart Heath started to control the game and worked their way back up to the Ruts 22. The visiting defence couldn't live with the relentless assault on their line and once the Heath forwards had done the hard yards, a short pass to skipper Jack Lucas in the centre saw him burst through two defenders to score under the posts. Goswamy knocked over the conversion for 14-0.

A 22 drop out from Ruts was well fielded by Heath and run back with interest after a number of phases of play in which the ball was fizzed across the pitch and back again. A ruck in the far left corner was the platform for number 8 Charlie Bennett to come flying through tacklers with an angled run to go over for a try in the corner for 19-0 which remained the score at half time.

On resumption, Heath didn’t take their feet off the gas and following quick ball off the top of a line out on the halfway line and some electric handling in the backs, an overlap was created wide right for winger Jack Flower to outstrip the defenders for 24-0.

There was no respite for Ruts and another attack down the right wing saw Heath forwards quickest to the ball and recycling it back inside where hooker Flinn Herbert crashed through tacklers for the another try to the home side. The extras were added by Goswamy for 31-0.

Still Heath piled on the pressure and from a scrum in midfield the ball went initially right before being swung out to the left wing where Matt Cains showed some gears to beat the first and run through the second defender to go in under the posts for another Goswamy converted try and a significant 38-0 scoreline.

Heath didn’t ease up but two yellow cards meant they were unable to hold Ruts out during their only sustained attack of the day and a consolation converted try.

Restored to the full 15 men Heath attacked again with a break down the right and inside pass from the impressive Oscar Mann finding fly half Goswamy who capped a strong personal performance with a try which he converted for 43-7.

From the restart, Heath ran the ball straight back at a beaten Ruts side, this time spinning the ball wide left where substitute winger Tom Thurloway outpaced the cover from the ten metre line to go in under the posts. Goswamy put the icing on the cake with the extra two points for a 50-7 final score which was displayed brightly to all on the Clubhouse balcony from Heath's new electronic scoreboard, recently donated to the Club by Tugwell Contracting.

This was an impressive display in front of a vocal home crowd. With the set pieces functioning well Heath's mobile pack and ambitious backs took full advantage of their dominance. Player of the Match went to Charles Newey who was outstanding in both attack and defence. This sixth win in succession saw Heath consolidate their position in fourth place in the division with a really tough league fixture to come next weekend away at Hove.

The Heath Rams travelled away to play Midhurst 1sts eventually coming out second best in a competitive friendly fixture.

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

Image Credit: photo@shoota.uk