The weather was always going to be a factor, but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of a Heath side featuring a mix of youthful vigour and experienced ruggedness.

Pulborough started strongly, playing with the wind at their backs, and after a couple of mistimed passes from Heath they crossed for the first converted try of the afternoon inside five minutes.

That seemed to wake the Rams up. An inspirational run from Chris Neil, combining with Wilf Bridges, allowed the ball to be spun wide for Herlander Mbunga to make a strong break down the left wing. From the resulting pressure, and following a quick blood-bin substitution, full-back Alex Chard crashed over for Heath's first try. The conversion was missed, leaving Pulborough ahead 7-5.

Pulborough remained strong in attack, but Heath began creating opportunities of their own despite the terrible conditions. Another Pulborough break, helped by the wind, brought their second try and stretched the visitors' lead to 12-5.

As the half wore on, the Heath scrum began to gain the upper hand, with Josh Pope controlling the ball at the base and veteran 10 Roscoe Atkins releasing the backline. That pressure eventually saw Tiaan Coetze cross the line for his first try for the club.

Half-time: Heath 10-12 Pulborough.

The break brought brief respite from the wind and rain, as well as fresh legs for the Rams. G Fergusson took over at number eight while Stefan Duda added experience to the backline, and the impact was immediate.

Now with the conditions more in their favour, Heath began using the wind to their advantage. Strong running eventually created the opportunity for Chris Neil to go over and put the Rams ahead for the first time, 17-12.

From there, the match settled into a proper old-school tussle. Both sides made territorial gains, only for the conditions to intervene time and again. With around ten minutes remaining, however, Archie Francis crossed for another first try for the club and finally put the game beyond Pulborough.

Full-time: Heath Rams 22-12 Pulborough 2s.

In extremely wet and windy conditions, the Rams had worked their way back from 12-5 down to take a deserved 22-12 victory. A gritty performance and one the whole side can be proud of.