SLIDESHOW: Last minute conversion denies Heath first win

Heath’s commitment and energy from the first whistle saw them lead Havant for all but the last moments of the game, when the visitors snatched a frustrating last minute draw.
Haywards Heath (red and black) v Havant . Pic Steve RobardsHaywards Heath (red and black) v Havant . Pic Steve Robards
Haywards Heath (red and black) v Havant . Pic Steve Robards

Heath blasted the first quarter with unity, passion, pride and a belief in team all evident - particularly impressive when there had been late changes in the back line to contend with.

First blood came early for Heath after just six minutes with a try from Robbie Fotheringham, following up in support of good work from Adie Winters and Al Harle, converted by Owain Jenkins, who exercised control through the game. Heath continued to put pressure on the visitors with quick offloads combined with close support running, particularly from Alex Chard and Nick Main culminating in a team try with Harle on the end on the twelfth minute. Fotheringham added the points from wide for a 14-0 Heath lead and Heath continued to press with impressive interplay between forwards and backs. Heath were dominant and the enthusiastic crowd didn’t have to wait long with Matt Jackson, improving game on game, going over in the corner to take the score to a heartening 19-0 lead.

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Havant, however, were not to be denied as they slowly crept back into the game with a penalty from centre Joel Knight on twenty minutes and a try from wing Lawrence Blackburn after twenty five minutes. With flankers Luke Barfoot and Jarrad Hayler taking the ball up and living on the edge on the ground, Havant were not to be written off but it was Heath who added to their lead with Sam Drage, in support of interplay between Chard and Jack Lucas, going in under the posts. Jenkins added the extras, Heath led 26-10, had secured the try bonus and continued to press, being adjudged not to have grounded the ball after some thrusting play. With Hayler binned just before half time, the second half looked promising for Heath.

Haywards Heath (red and black) v Havant . Pic Steve RobardsHaywards Heath (red and black) v Havant . Pic Steve Robards
Haywards Heath (red and black) v Havant . Pic Steve Robards

And so it proved when, six minutes in, full back Tim Hartley chipped ahead and used his unique pace to touch down for a 31-10 lead. With Hayler returning to the fray, the battle continued with a full complement. A lack of focus in Heath’s defence allowed Havant outside half James Read in near the posts for a try, converted by Knight. Five minutes later Havant struck again with the same combination of Read and Knight scoring try and conversion respectively to narrow the lead to 31-24. The rest of the game was tense with both sides keen to pick up points. Havant narrowed the gap further with a Knight penalty with ten minutes on the clock but Heath struck back with a Jenkins penalty with seven minutes to go. Then disaster struck as Heath first lost key player Harle to the bin then, close to the final whistle, the ball was turned over and that man Read was in under the posts in the gathering gloom and given the benefit of the doubt by the referee. Knight’s straightforward conversion drew the game as the final whistle blew and the game ended 34-34.

It was a frustrating finish for Heath, but there were plenty of purple passages in defence and attack founded on solid first phase, plenty of graft from the likes of George Heron and encouraging close support play. The new, enforced centre partnership of Lucas and Fotheringham looked promising too. Two points for the draw and a try bonus point will give Heath a much-needed boost to their confidence as they enter December with three games to play and much to play for. Next up are third-placed Chobham away net Saturday KO 2.15 p.m.

Team: Chris Turner (capt), Max Drage, Jack Bull (Jim Prescott), Adie Winters, George Heron (Tom Burns), Al Harle, Sam Drage, Nick Main, Alex Chard, Owain Jenkins, Matt Jackson, Jack Lucas, Robbie Fotheringham, Matt Duncan, Tim Hartley. Not used: Steve May

Pictures in this week’s Mid Sussex Times

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