It is fair to say Eastbourne isn’t one of the closest journeys for a Sunday
morning in fact it was probably the inspiration for a Proclaimers song. Unlike
most matches at Whiteman’s Green, the weather was warm and inviting, and
a healthy crowd was in attendance for a new look Heath as they started their
new season.
In light of recent events a respectful minute’s silence was observed at the
start of the match and as the game got underway there was some very
respectful, possibly too respectful, tackling early on allowing Eastbourne in for
an early score 5-0.
Some great handling saw Heath move the ball across the pitch and set up
Linus T to cross for the equalising try 5-5 after 4 minutes. The quality of the
opposition was evident as they ran in tries in the 7 th and 17 th minute to lead
17-5 at the first break. Often stout Heath defending helped repel the initial
attacks only to be thwarted in later phases.
Onto the second period and Eastbourne were clinical in their execution scoring
from out wide to lead 24-5. There then followed possibly one of the best
periods of sustained attacking by Heath, often on the very line of the

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opposition only to be kept at bay and eventually being let down by some
handling errors. Brian Clough once said, “it only takes a second to score a try”
(or words to that effect) but conversely it also only takes a second to concede
one, as Heath found out following concerted attacks only to lose possession
allowing their quick winger a run to the line and take the game out of sight at
31-5. This was unrepresentative of the phases of play in the second quarter
but sometimes rugby does that to you. Also you should always take the
positives – Bodie was getting plenty of restart practise.
It would have been easy for the boys to heads to have dropped but they
showed great character in raising their effort levels and the third period
(sounds like school, doesn’t it?) started with two quick tries from James H,
following a great burst of speed by Linus T to bring the score back to 31-19.
Thereafter the game ebbed and flowed (journalistic expression for not much
happened) but some improved ball retention had Heath continuing to be on
top. The team played with great variety mixing up the running and kicking
attacking options. The game finished with Eastbourne in attack but solid
Heath defence enabling possession to be turned over after a successful jackal.
Overall on paper (and in fact on grass) a 31-19 defeat may seem a
disappointing start to the season, it doesn’t truly reflect the efforts of the boys
who dominated much of the possession in the second and third periods.
Plenty of food for thought for the coaches and I dare say a few tackling drills
may be more prominent than they otherwise might have been. On to next
week!
All that was left was to decide whether the drive home would be a one stop or
two stop strategy.