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Heath beaten in thrilling cup final

Heath beaten in thrilling cup final

Tracey Spuyman12 May 2022 - 08:05
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Haywards Heath 20 - 29 Horsham II

Sussex Finals day featured teams from Newick, St Francis, East Grinstead and Hove competing in the Vase and Shield competitions as the pre cursor to the Bob Rogers Sussex Cup Final which saw Heath facing Horsham 2s in a late 4pm start at the neutral ground of Crawley Rugby Club in front of a large and boisterous crowd in the spring sunshine.

Wins for Heath over higher league opposition over the two previous weekends against Hastings & Bexhill and Hove respectively had seen them reach the final for the first time in a number of years where they were looking to end the season with a strong performance on the pitch. Given that half the Heath side were under 19s, including four of this year’s colts, whereas almost half the Horsham squad had some experience in playing four divisions higher at London 1 level this season, the final was always going to be a tough assignment for Heath particularly given the difference in league campaigns and experience of the two teams.

As usual Heath were their own worst enemy and from the kick off were unable to clear their 22. Although Horsham had a shock at the first scrum when the young Heath pack got the shove on and turned over possession. However a penalty for not releasing was kicked to the corner and from the resulting lineout the ball was recycled two phases for one of the big Horsham ball carriers to smash through and score early for 0-5. The scoreboard looked ominous for Heath as they appeared to be living up to the underdog tag having conceded within four minutes.

From the restart Horsham fumbled their lines and knocked on from which they conceded a penalty in front of their posts. Outside half Tom Wharton stepped up and slotted it for Heath to reduce the deficit to 3-5.

The sides continued to batter each other in the middle of the park with neither gaining a clear advantage until, from a lineout, Horsham broke through the midfield where a couple of missed tackles saw their outside centre streak clear for a score. The Horsham kicker was unable to convert meaning after 15 minutes the score was 3-10 as Horsham extended their lead.

Again from the restart a Horsham mistake handed the advantage to Heath. A penalty advantage for tackling the player in the air was kicked through by Heath all the way to the Horsham five metre line. Heath stole the lineout, set the maul and drove up to and over the try line where Wilf Bridges emerged from the bottom of the pile having touched down out wide. Wharton banged over the conversion to square things up at 10-10.

Momentum swung in Heath's favour and an energised squad started to believe. A Horsham yellow card for a high tackle saw them reduced to 14 men and Heath pushed on looking for the score. The defences were on top for both sides with some huge, committed tackles and both sides competing fiercely at the breakdown and forcing turnovers meaning there was not much continuity in the game. Heath drove their way deep into Horsham territory where they forced another penalty. The metronomic Wharton calmly stroked it over for 13-10 and Heath had managed to get their noses in front. Horsham tried to work their way back into the Heath red zone but were unable to break through the resilient red and black defence before the half time break.

Horsham came out for the second half in determined fashion and put the Heath defence under serious pressure. A number of penalties were awarded to Horsham in quick succession although the attacks from the ensuing scrums and lineouts were rebuffed by some courageous Heath defence. Heath saw a man in the bin for disagreeing with the referee and still the Horsham onslaught continued. After 10 minutes of persistent pressure Horsham managed to breach the Heath line with their big pack driving over out wide for a try which was converted for 13 – 17 - Horsham was in front once again.

At just a four point advantage the game was still in the balance but the Horsham side were driven on by a fine performance from their experienced replacement scrum half who dictated play and kept Heath pinned back with some very clever box kicking to establish territory. Keeping things tight with their large set of forwards, pick and goes and driving mauls from the Horsham pack continued to keep the pressure on Heath and they eventually bull dozed over for another score and extended to a 13-22 advantage.

Heath were not done and from the restart again put Horsham in a spot of bother trying to clear their 22. A charged down kick was juggled by Heath Man of the Match Wilf Bridges who beat the cover defence to the line and then beat three more defenders in goal to score under the posts. Wharton converted to reduce Horsham’s advantage to 20 -22.

The game continued to ebb and flow with the intensity levels not dropping from either side. Horsham had not one but two more yellow cards for high tackles on the Heath fullback forcing them even more into a forward based game which was to play to their strengths. A Heath mistake saw Horsham kick to the corner and from that lineout platform they were able to get their ball carriers to truck it up through multiple phases and score again. Nailing the conversion saw them take a 20 -29 lead.

Heath heads didn't drop and they kept striving for the breakthrough right to the end but just didn't have enough go forward or the physicality, let alone experience, to claw their way back and the Horsham defence held out for a deserved win.

This was a momentous effort by the entire Heath team who really fronted up strongly against a bigger and well organised side and from which they will learn a huge amount having taken part in such a tightly contested final. After the game Heath Chairman Mark Newey commented "I am so proud of how the boys played today at what was a magnificent occasion for Sussex rugby. I thought the team really stood up to the challenge and were pure class both on and off the pitch. Congratulations to Horsham and thank you to Sussex RFU and Crawley Rugby Club for organising and hosting the final."

That is the end of the season for Heath who will be ready to go again with preseason training in July.

Heath Squad; Harry Edwards; Jack Herbert; Euan Greaves-Smith; Dan Shotton; Ellis Dubois; Wilf Bridges; Fraser Russell; Bobby Collins; Jamie Thurston; Tom Wharton; Mitch Day; Chris Neill (Capt); Jack Flower; Roscoe Atkins; Samuella Bulitkavale-Lancaster; Lewis Goodhall; Martin McDonagh; Henry Dickson; Matt Ashley; Alex Chard; Pat Stedman

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