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Second-Half Comeback Secures Win for Heath

Second-Half Comeback Secures Win for Heath

Tracey Spuyman13 Nov - 17:06

Haywards Heath 36 KCS Old Boys 15

A game of two contrasting halves saw Heath eventually wrestle control of the match—though not before being given a real fright by KCS Old Boys.

Following a poignant minute’s silence, Heath started strongly, dominating early territory. A couple of missed opportunities to score frustrated the home side, but on 25 minutes Tom Wharton slotted a penalty from in front of the posts to take a narrow lead.

However, Heath failed to gather the restart and were immediately under pressure, allowing KCS their first real scoring chance. From a scrum inside the 22, the ball was moved left and the visitors crossed for 3–5.

Things worsened when, after another KCS scrum in Heath’s half, an angled run from their centre sliced through the defence, setting up the winger to score just before half-time. Heath trailed 3–10 at the break.

Needing a response, Heath came out firing in the second half. Strong territory and a tap penalty brought them into the opposition 22, where a ruck set the platform for back-row Josh Salisbury to sprint over. Wharton converted to level the score at 10–10.

Heath kept the pressure on. After good work from the forwards created space for the backs, a long clearance kick pinned KCS on their own line. Heath chased well, causing chaos in the defence and forcing a penalty. A quick tap and two phases later, skipper Jack Lucas crashed through on the angle under the posts. Wharton added the extras for 17–10.
A lapse in concentration saw Heath out of position, allowing KCS to notch their third try and narrow the score to 17–15.
But Heath responded with intent. From a midfield scrum, Wharton dinked a clever chip over the KCS back line, gathered by Player of the Match Lucas, who scorched in under the posts for his second try. Wharton converted for 24–15.

Shortly after, Heath forced a free-kick from a scrum in the opposition red zone. A tap from front-row Charles Newey saw him burst through defenders and under the posts for the bonus-point try, again converted by Wharton.

Heath finished in style with a fifth try, spinning the ball quickly through the hands to the left wing where full-back Evan Herbert went over in the corner. Final score: 36–15.
This impressive second-half performance sees Heath climb to 5th in the table after back-to-back wins.

Meanwhile, the Heath Rams travelled to Hellingly and delivered a dominant display, winning 5–55 in their league fixture.

Heath 1st XV Squad: Euan Greaves-Smith, Flinn Herbert, Charles Newey, Dan Jarman, Harry Clarke, George Targett, Josh Salisbury, Charlie Bennett, Jamie Thurston, Tom Wharton, Matt Cains, Jack Lucas (capt), Oscar Mann, Josh Pratt, Evan Herbert, Harry Edwards, Ellis Dubois, Charlie Patey-Johns

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