Haywards Heath beaten by East Grinstead but Eastbourne ease past Uckfield

Haywards Heath hosted East Grinstead at Whitemans Green in a much-anticipated first league game between the sides in a long time – but it was EG who came our on top, winning 35-17.

It was a match-up between the second and third placed teams in the Counties 2 Sussex division.

The rain had finally stopped although conditions were pretty sticky as the game got under way.

An attack from Heath was kicked out of defence by Grinstead but not to touch, allowing the back three to run the ball back into the visitors’ 22.

Keeping to their kicking game, it was cleared by Grinstead with a long kick but again it was taken by Heath and another attack was stopped short of the posts around 10 metres out.

With the Grinstead defence out of position Heath swung the ball wide right where second row Dan Shotton was lurking on the wing to go over for the score converted by Tom Wharton for a 7-0 lead to the home side.

Grinstead came back hard at Heath, but the red and black defence held strong.

On 20 minutes a long clearing kick from captain Wilf Bridges was chased down by the Heath back row forcing a penalty for holding on in front of the posts.

Wharton slotted it and at this point all looked good for Heath with a 10-0 lead.

Straight from the restart the momentum changed and things started to go wrong for Heath.

Report contd. plus another picture – page 45

A Heath scrum on their own 22 was turned over by impressive work from the Grinstead pack, allowing quick ball and a run in under the sticks for 10-7.

The visitors’ fly-half and full-back were kicking well with the wind, gaining the upper hand in the aerial battle and keeping Heath pinned back. A raking 50:22 kick saw Grinstead win their own lineout in the Heath red zone and maul over the line for a try which was converted for 10-14.

On the stroke of half-time another spell of pressure from the Grinstead pack got them over the whitewash again for a 10-19 lead at the break – plenty for Heath to think about.

Five minutes into the second half Grinstead were turning the screw with pressure in the Heath 22 securing a penalty which was kicked for 10-22.

A Grinstead yellow card gave Heath the chance to compete against 14 men and a critical spell played out when Heath could have come back into it.

A break from the Heath midfield fed Bridges, who cantered through seemingly to score but was called back as the pass was judged forward.

A chip and chase from winger Cam Reed outpaced the visitors’ defence, allowing Jamie Thurston to touch down – only for play to be called back for an off-the-ball altercation down the park.

EG were far more clinical and they took a chance and went over in the corner for 10-29. Heath winger Reed, lively all afternoon, repeated his chip and chase of earlier, this time beating the defence himself to touch down for a try. Wharton converted for 17-29.

Heath couldn't find a way through the visitors’ defence but conceded penalties which Grinstead accepted. Offside in front of the posts and then a high tackle were infringements both punished by the visitors’ kicker and it ended 17-35.

The game was followed by a packed crowd watching England v South Africa in the clubhouse with traditional South African food served by the club's South African members dished out to players and supporters alike as the club continue to raise funds for a much-needed new clubhouse. This Saturday, Heath face Lewes at Whitemans Green (2pm).

Eastbourne 55 Uckfield 14

Counties 2 Sussex

Park Avenue was graced by more than 100 players playing in three games.

ERFC thirds played Seaford twos, the seconds played Uckfield twos and the first XV played Uckfield firsts in the main event – and won 55-14.

Uckfield beat Eastbourne twice last year and revenge was in the air with Eastbourne undefeated and on maximum points.

As always, the forwards provided a perfect platform for the fast-flowing backs to run riot. Smith, Bettles, Hoskings dominated the scrum. Buckwell, Davis and Thomas operated superbly in attack and defence in the lineout, and there was powerful running from Montes and Morse.

After obliterating the first two Uckfield scrums, the backs spun it wide for Dylan Viles to open the scoring with a nice try, his first of three for the day.

Montes was next with a pushover try from a powerful scrum; just reward for Montes who made powerful runs throughout.

Uckfield responded with good running lines but after a rocket from the coaches, Gianluca Bianchi scored his first try of two during an excellent display.

Next to cross the line was Mason Dowle, a serious threat from full-back, for his first of two tries. He scooped up a knock on in his own half and, after an arching run, skipped his way down the touch line to score.

On the stroke of half time, Bianchi crossed again after Montes and Gibbons put him away.

Captain Jake Howe kicked three of his five first-half conversions.

Four minutes into the second half Martial Chaput scored in the corner after multiple positive phases. It was great to see him back after a nasty head injury earlier in the season.

Next to cross was Ben Perrott, the glue in the Eastbourne midfield, who finished a brilliant break by Chaput from a Montes pass and some great inter-passing with Howe, for the try of the day.

Perrott was replaced by Aaron Hossack, who has been out injured. Shortly after, Ryan Shields came on in the back row and Ian Padget at scrum half.

Uckfield were out on their feet and there was time for Viles to score two more tries, the second a brilliant team try, with great passing from the front-row forwards dragging Uckfield from side to side. Hossack fired a pass out for Viles to score. Howe kicked his sixth conversion to finish it at 55-14.

Man of the match was a difficult call, with Dowle and Viles attacking brilliantly, Owen Davies excellent in the air and around the park. But big Jerry Montes won the accolade for a powerful afternoon at No8.

Eastbourne II hammered Uckfield twos 33-5. Seaford beat Eastbourne III 31-34.

Clubman of the week was Cameron Thomas, who after a pull-out from the referee for the thirds game, stepped in to make sure it went ahead, never having reffed before. On Sunday he stepped in again as refs pulled out of U15 and U18s games.