It’s a well-worn phrase, oft beloved of generals – plans rarely, if ever, survive first contact with the enemy. Heath Dev' managed to go a step further this Sunday by arriving at Horsham for a home fixture (being switched late on Saturday due to unplayable pitches) with an absence/illness-depleted squad, providing only one sub and necessitating several players having to play out of position. Their adaptability and fitness were subsequently tested to the full against a physically imposing Horsham Dev' squad, boasting a full complement of replacements. Despite a pale watery sun lifting the temperature microscopically, the heavy ground and team make-ups seemed to indicate this could be a long day at the office.

From the early exchanges it was clear this was going to be a tight match, pitching Horsham’s well drilled forward play against Heath’s more expansive (and necessarily makeshift) line-up. From the kick-off, a smart turnover and some well executed phases ended with a forward drive, Stan BB going over on the left to open the account. Horsham responded more or less immediately from the restart, with some well worked phases resulting in a penalty deep in Heath’s territory, allowing their forwards to set up their own driving platform in the opposite corner, piercing Heath’s scrambled defence to level scores at 5 apiece.

Much of the remainder of the half seemed to be played in and around Heath’s 22, with Heath struggling to establish a platform to breakout from the Horsham pressure, the hosts using the rucking and mauling skills to good effect. When Heath eventually ventured out of their own half, loose ball resulted in a Horsham kick chase which was only thwarted by knocking on in front of the posts. They were made to rue this further with Heath moving the ball neatly from the base of the scrum to Jack J-B, who backed his pace to exploit a gap in the Horsham defensive line, running from his own 22 to outstrip the chasing defenders to score under the posts, Max B adding the extras. However, the pattern of play remained the same, Horsham working phases ever closer, only to be repelled by some excellent committed tackling, Ed H and George C in particular putting in some monstrous defensive hits. Twice Horsham were held up over the try line, with Heath’s forwards totally committed to the battle. Ultimately though, Heath’s inability to gain territory cost them, the damn bursting to allow Horsham to bundle over again in the corner, pulling the score back to 10-12. Despite finally managing to force their way into Horsham territory, once again loose ball and a kick chase nearly cost Heath dear, with Charlie J bravely dropping on the ball before Max B booted the ball into touch to deny the onrushing Horsham chasers, the last action of the half.

The clouds lowered, the darkness and chill being compounded by Horsham scoring almost immediately, turning over their own kick-off to (repeat after me) “move the ball through the forwards to score in the corner”, adding the extras to lead for the first time in the match, 17-12. At this juncture things were starting to look pretty bleak, the brightest star in the firmament being referee Bradford’s electric pink top (see photos), which has since been confirmed by NASA to have been visible from space. Whether it was this that galvanised the lads is debatable, but what is indisputable is that from this point it on it was pretty much all Heath. Credit here to the coaches - the scrum, which had been hastily assembled 10 minutes before kick-off, had been remarkably solid (especially given some of the size differentials), but now became a potent weapon as players tired and mistakes started to creep in with inevitable knock-ons. The one resulting from the restart gave Heath an excellent platform to attack, with the resulting penalty putting Heath 5 yards out with an attacking line out. Phase after phase was repelled by excellent Horsham defence, twice being held up over the line, in an almost exact mirror image of the first half. A clearing kick was returned with interest, only for indiscipline at the breakdown to allow Horsham to clear their lines and move play back into Heath territory.

And so, to the decisive moment in the match, the quality of which was worthy of determining the outcome of such a tight encounter. Heath’s defence had forced Horsham into touch near the 10 yard line – quick ball from the lineout by Oscar S and Ben T stretched Horsham’s defensive line, Max B making an incisive break and delaying the pass just enough to draw the Horsham defenders, freeing Jack J-B to apply the afterburners and once again tear down the field for the equalizing try, thankfully having the presence of mind to head directly under the posts. This gave Max B a simple conversion to regain the lead, 19-17.

Tension was high as Horsham came once again, but this time Heath held firm, breaking out from the restart and on the front foot again before an unfortunate knock-on. Tackles were flying in from all angles, red and black shirts seemingly everywhere. Strange things appeared to be happening as your correspondent’s brain started to succumb to exposure; Josh P appeared to be playing both as centre and number 8, George C embarked upon a superb bullocking 30+ yard run that must seriously put his membership of the front row union in question. Terrific committed defence turned the ball over once more and it was Heath who were pushing from their own territory, before an unfortunate and potentially serious injury to a Horsham player brought proceedings to an end (thankfully just a sprained neck – we wish him well). It was quite obvious the lads had given their all, and, with your correspondent’s reporting digits turning blue, the referee’s whistle was most welcome.

Many thanks to Horsham for being able to host this very entertaining fixture at such short notice – in truth it could have gone either way, but full credit to Heath for sneaking such a triumph in apparent adversity, giving the Dev' squad a 100% record for the first half of the season. Much kudos to the coaches for their ‘agile thinking’ when getting the team setup, and especially to our own referee Carlos, who had by far and away the most difficult job of the day, which he executed with much aplomb and no little panache (judging by that top, anyway).

Scorers

Stan B, conv missed 5-0

Horsham, conv missed 5-5

Jack J-B, conv (Max B) – 12-5

Horsham, conv missed 12-10

HT 12-10

Horsham try, converted 12-17

Jack J-B, conv (Max B) 19-17