On yet another grey overcast day in Sussex, the scene was set for a second bruising encounter for these two sides this season. Worthing this time looking for resort honour after the last meeting which saw Heath win 46-0.

The first half saw both teams having difficulty at the line-out and in the scrums, giving away roughly an equal amount of penalties. This impacted the flow of the game for both sides. Subsequently the first half could easily be characterised as a battle of the forwards at the break downs. Neither team willing to give way, each waiting for the other to blink first.

The stalemate was finally broken with a first touch for Callum C-M and the usual blistering pace that we’re now used to, scoring directly under the posts. Conversion points added by Edward H.

Hard work from the forwards and an impressive display in defence from the backs was the hallmark of this first half. It’s worthy of note that, not once did Worthing get into Heath’s half by phase play and any time they did, it was via tactical kicking.

As the second half commenced it was apparent that the first half battle had taken a toll on the Worthing forwards, combined with excellent distribution from Olly S running the backs with great determination to give Heath the upper hand. Separate purposeful line breaks being made by Kai D and Edward H, with decisive strike play from the back three (Sam P, Callum C-M and Seb B) putting yet more pressure on the home Worthing side.

A tactical kick from James D, followed by a chase and football skills almost produced a second try for Heath, only for him to be denied by the bounce of the ball.

A number of successive easy penalty’s pushed Heath back into their own half. Heath finally turning the tide ending the final Worthing flourish by winning a ruck at Heath’s 10 meter line. Alfie S produced a beautifully timed and weighted pass putting James D into space for a 55 meter sprint to the try line breaking two tackles along the way to score under the posts. A second conversion was added by Edward H.

Heath now fully reinvigorated, battling for everything at the breakdown Tom B and Archie K both putting on distinguished flanker displays. Inter-play between both forwards and backs was now producing some great rugby. Heath front five of Louis K, Toby B, Dylan H, George S, George C and Sam G, all providing an excellent display of fitness, strengthen, awareness and determination.

Confidence was now evident with the backs releasing Jack J for a 40 meter break down the wing, with Seb B also getting in on the act as the attacking fullback (and looking to be a very safe pair of hands in defence). After much pressure the third try came from Callum C-M with yet another flight down the wing, rounding to score under the posts. James D converting having taking over kicking duties.

From the restart Heath started pressing once again, great inter-play evident once again from deep inside their own half. Both forwards and backs conducting a pick ‘n’ go attack, looking for support (and finding it). The move was finally finished off with a 20 meter break from Dylan H breaking numerous tackles to score in the corner. James D converting from 5 meters in from the touch line with a well struck kick to round off a superb performance from Haywards Heath U14s.