Supporters were eagerly anticipating this home fixture against Hastings & Bexhill RFC as it had been a number of years since Heath had competed in the Bob Rogers Sussex Cup and to be drawn against a side in a higher division was likely to be a good test of how this young side had developed as a squad over the season. Billed as potentially the last match of the season it brought a large number of supporters out to enjoy pre-match lunch in the sunshine.

Heath kicked off the first half playing down the hill with a brisk wind in their favour which they would need to capitalise on if they were to have a chance in this game. And capitalise they did as within the opening two minutes a smart intercept out wide from winger Hugo Cordeschi saw him out pace the cover and fly in under the sticks for an opening score converted by Tom Wharton for 7-0.

Hastings showed their pedigree and managed the wind and the slope well to put some pressure on Heath but the home defence was up to the job and some good work at the breakdown and defence in mid-field saw them hold the visitors at bay. A number of Heath visits into the Hastings 22 went pointless as Heath tried to force the final pass or were not quite clinical enough in their execution. When Hastings conceded a penalty in front of the posts after 20 minutes Heath played the percentages and took the points with a Wharton penalty for 10-0.

The game continued to be hard fought with Hastings digging in and defending strongly with the forwards having a competitive arm wrestle up front. Hastings had the better of the scrums and Heath had the better of the lineouts. A Heath scrum in the Hastings red zone on 35 minutes saw Hastings turn the ball over and try and play out of defence. Strong Heath pressure saw a Hastings pass fail to go to hand but instead be gratefully snaffled off the floor by Wharton to run in and score which he converted himself for a considerable 17-0 lead.

On the stroke off half time the intuitive Cordeschi was in for his second intercept of the day and again scorched clear of the chasing defenders to put a gloss on proceedings with a midway score of 24-0.However, a lack of focus after finding themselves in such a commanding lead against decent opposition meant Heath took their foot off the gas during the opening period of the second half and Hastings were more than happy to step in and take advantage. Within a minute of the restart a couple of Heath errors let Hastings in for a score which at 24-7 didn't initially set the alarm bells ringing. However when straight from the restart Hastings kicked through and scored again for 24-12 Heath were understandably looking a little shell shocked – as were the watching supporters. Hastings tails were up and wave after wave of attacks caused some desperate defence from Heath. A mistake by Heath in their own 22 which was not cleared properly saw possession given away and the visitors running in their third try for 24-19.

It only appeared a matter of time before Hastings overhauled the Heath lead and from a seemingly innocuous scrum on half way they did just that. A number 8 pick up saw too many missed tackles from the home side which took the Hastings attack deep into Heath territory from where it was put through the hands and another try was scored and converted for a 24- 26 lead to the visitors with only ten minutes remaining.

Heath tried to rally back into the game but each time they got possession they were guilty of playing over flamboyant rugby with the last offload being just too ambitious. But just as it appeared that time was going to run out Heath dug deep and conjured up a score with another intercept this time by Wharton who pinned his ears back and raced in for his second try which he converted to put Heath back into the lead by 31-26. This time it was Hastings chasing the game with only minutes remaining. Heath held firm and when Jamie Diggle ran the ball strongly out of defence he created space from where Will Ratoff was able to to sprint clear of the tacklers and touch down with the last play of the game. Wharton converted to take his personal tally for the game to 23 points and a 38 - 26 final score in a great game of rugby which kept the crowd well entertained.

Heath showed real character to drag themselves back into this match and barnstorming performances from Lewis Goodhall and Jamie Diggle saw them receive joint Man of the Match awards. So instead of being the last match of the season, rugby continues at Whitemans Green at least for one more weekend as Heath plays the semi final of the cup against old foes Hove. All support welcome as the Clubhouse will be full for another end of season celebration!

Match Squad: Harry Edwards; Jack Herbert; Euan Greaves- Smith; Ellis Dubois; Dan Shotton; Wilf Bridges; Lewis Goodhall; Bobby Collins; Matt Ashley; Tom Wharton; Mitch Day; Chris Neill; Jamie Diggle; Hugo Cordeschi; Dougie Kern; Fraser Russell; Martin McDonagh; Pat Stedman; Jamie Thurston; Will Ratoff; Alex Chard; Samuela Bulitkavale-Lancaster