Rugby colts glad to be back for 'battle of the Fields'

Rugby returned to Cross In Hand after a gap of 14 months when Heathfield Colts beat near-neighbours Uckfield 17-0
Heathfield Colts in action / Picture: VJ PhotographyHeathfield Colts in action / Picture: VJ Photography
Heathfield Colts in action / Picture: VJ Photography

The match was played under modified laws with no scrums or mauls but this did not inhibit the sides.

Heathfield had first use of the slight slope and the breeze at their backs. However the visitors were using their larger forwards who attempted to hammer away at the home pack while Heathfield looked more likely to seek space and utilise their outside backs.

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Heathfield opened the scoring when Tom Reilly knocked over a penalty from near the ten-metre line.

The visitors’ pack’s pressure combined with what the referee later described as over-enthusiasm by Heathfield led to a string of penalties at the breakdown. Home skipper Ellis Wilson, who had shown intent with several barging runs of his own, transgressed one more time and was binned. Uckfield were unable to take advantage of the extra man.

Uckfield’s No8 and hooker were testing the home defence with flankers Zak Dunn and Sam Walley picked out for their efforts at the breakdown although Dunn was also binned.

Heathfield’s backs were starting to create opportunities with Bryn Watkins, Toby Anderson and Reilly catching the eye.

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In the second half Heathfield were starting to dominate territory and possession. Jack Flint, Callum O’Reilly and Ollie Tooke had good carries.

Approaching the last quarter the decisive score arrived as Watkins and Finley Smith found Dunn on a good line to score under the posts. Reilly converted to make it 10-0.

Good tackling by Kieran Dudgeon, Cam Reader and Tom Sayers contained them. The last score came when hooker George Hayter plunged over. Reilly again converted – 17-0.

This Sunday Heathfield Colts entertain Lewes Colts at Cross In Hand at 1pm.

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