Gutsy victory for Heath takes them back to the top

Missing a number of regulars through injury and some due to the rearranged game clashing with England v Australia, Heath were fielding a very much improvised pack and backline as they looked to keep the season’s momentum going.

It turned out to be a game of contrasting styles as Heath sought to run everything through their backs and Grinstead resorted to attempting to shove and grind out scores through their heavy pack of forwards. Heath were quickly into their stride and two minutes into the match a mishit clearance kick from the hosts led to a quick counter down the middle by Heath and a break from Robbie Fotheringham who touched down and then converted his own score.

It was clear that Heath were not going to have matters all their own way however and the East Grinstead pack was clearly revelling in the greasy conditions. Field position deep in the visitors’ half led to East Grinstead equalling the scores with a drive from their entire pack going over on the Heath right side after 10 minutes, 7-7.

Every time Heath got on the ball they looked dangerous and it was quickly apparent that the Heath three quarters had the upper hand over their counterparts, meaning it was no surprise when, after 19 minutes, the ball was worked through the centres to the right wing and back inside for Fotheringham to take a pass and burst through the defence to score his second of the match to which he again added the extras making it 7-14.

The Heath backs were now running riot and looking likely to overwhelm East Grinstead with the ball in hand, although it was number 8 Sam Drage who led the charge to set up a field position with a rampaging run from the half way line to within 10 yards of the Grinstead try line.

An infringement by Grinstead led to a quickly taken penalty by flanker Wayne Williams who smashed his way through the tacklers for a try which was converted. Heath led 7-21 after 25 minutes.

A fourth try came for Heath after a well won line out led to quick ball for the backs being run up to the Grinstead try line - desperate defence led to a further penalty which was taken quickly by Hartley flicking the ball on to front row Joss Townsend to bulldoze over in the corner and take the score to 7-26. But any thoughts that Heath were going to have it easy were quickly dispelled during the final 10 minutes of the first half when the East Grinstead forwards dug in on the Heath try line and sought to batter their way through with tap penalties, repeated scrums and driving mauls. Although Heath were unable to get out of their own 22 in this final period, an immense effort from the Heath pack meant they did not concede a score.

It was clear that the Grinstead backs had no appetite to take on the Heath three quarter line and so it was to prove in the second half with Grinstead throwing everything at getting back into the game via their pack. The tactic proved unsuccessful and within five minutes of the restart Heath were on the board again, this time through a good backs move leading to Max Drage, playing at outside centre, beating the covering defence for a score to make it 7-31. The next half hour of the contest turned into a dour affair from a rugby perspective, although somewhat fractious as the sides scrapped for possession in a forward dominated tussle. Grinstead threw the kitchen sink at the Heath line with repeated drives from their pack trying to force a score. Heath held firm and even a yellow card for both sides failed to provide the extra space for some points, although Grinstead did have a try disallowed.

With five minutes remaining, another Grinstead line out deep in Heath territory led to the home side driving a rolling maul up to the line, but continued resolute defence from the Heath forwards, who were conceding a huge amount of weight to the opposing pack, managed to channel the ball to skipper Nick Main. Playing the match at centre instead of his usual Number 8 berth, Main broke through a number of tackles to finally get Heath out of their own 22 and then blasted his way up the right hand side to half way. The ball was quickly recycled by the support and moved back down the line where the attack gained momentum as players finally got on the ball carrier’s shoulder and were able to offload and recycle through a number of phases - the ball eventually came back to the wide right, where Man of the Match Dan Fergusson looked like he was going to score himself before offloading out of the tackle to Main who had held his position on the outside and crashed through the cover tackle for the try of the match and possibly the season so far. This made the score 7-36 which was how it remained at full time.

Given the circumstances this was a good win in a game that was much tougher than the league positions had suggested it was going to be and forced the Heath pack, who were without any genuine second rows, to put on a really manful display, fighting it out against a big set of experienced forwards. The win puts Heath back on top of the table and looking forward to three consecutive home fixtures since next weekend’s planned away match against Lewes II has been switched to Whiteman’s Green. December’s fixtures include both the 1st XV in the league and the 2nd XV social side. Anybody who fancies getting their rugby boots on and enjoying a game before Christmas/New Year should contact Heath Club Captain, Kevin McDonald at [email protected] .