The opening game of the 2026/27 Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex season saw a young Haywards Heath side losing 41-35 to old foes Hove at Whitemans Green.

Debuts for for former colts Olly Miller, Christian Benstead-Schlup, Archie Francis and Adam Southern coupled with some key personnel missing meant that Heath went into battle with an inexperienced team against a settled Hove XV and anticipating a tough afternoon.

The game turned into an 11-try thriller with the lead changing hands on numerous occasions. An inauspicious start by Heath saw Hove take an early 0-12 lead with two tries from their quick winger.

Heath hit back when a great break from centre Josh Pratt carved open the Hove defence before the ball was shifted wide for fellow centre Ollie Simpson to beat two defenders and touch down. Tom Wharton, who had a great day off the kicking tee added the conversion for 7-12.

Ollie Simpson scoring his fourth try in the last play of the game

placeholder image — Ollie Simpson scoring his fourth try in the last play of the game

A few minutes later a Heath line out saw them drive up the middle before passing back into midfield where Simpson carved a line through the defence for 12-14.

The visitors hit back on the stroke of half time opening up the Heath defence to retake the lead at 14-19.

From the restart Hove took control with a short pass in midfield unlocking the Heath backline and moving the score onto 14-26.

Heath came fighting back and an incisive break from Pratt opened up space and took play into the Hove 22 where the visitors conceded a penalty. Quick thinking from scrum half Olly Miller saw a tap and lateral run in front of the posts from where he found the angled run of winger Evan Herbert who burst between defenders to touch down for another converted try for 21-26.

Scrum half Olly Miller breaking from the base of the scrum to set up a try v Hove

The fightback continued with the home side regaining the lead when yet another break from Pratt saw him find the supporting Miller who fed an inside pass to Simpson to score his third of the day under the posts and Heath in the ascendancy at 28-26.

A lack of concentration from Heath saw them concede two quick tries to the visitors and then when some Heath backchat saw a penalty marched to within kicking distance a further three points sealed the game for Hove.

Heath still had time to secure the losing bonus point and with the last play of the game Miller picked up from the base of a scrum and found Simpson who crashed his way over for his fourth try of the day. Wharton maintained his 100% success rate adding the extras for a final score of 35-41.

While obviously disappointed to lose Heath can take some comfort from the performance particularly of the youngsters, the two bonus points and the style of play although there remains plenty to work on. Next is a trip away to league newcomers Old Reigatians.

Heath Rams’ opening fixture was away to Jersey Royals meaning an early flight from Gatwick. A tough afternoon saw them lose 62-10 although the hospitality and an overnight stay was good experience for a side featuring a combination of youngsters and vets. Next the Rams are home to Crowborough 2s.

Heath 1st XV squad: Charles Newey; Flinn Herbert; Lewis Goodall; George Targett; Ellis Dubois; Dan Jarman; Josh Salisbury; Wilf Bridges(capt); Olly Miller; Jamie Thurston; Christian Benstead-Schlup; Ollie Simpson; Josh Pratt; Evan Herbert; Tom Wharton; Harry Edwards; Archie Francis; Adam Southern.