Seven try Heath win Sussex derby

Haywards Heath 45 Eastbourne 24

Back to back wins from a young Heath side saw them move up the table with an impressive victory over Eastbourne who themselves were coming into this game off the back of a good win last weekend.

In near perfect conditions for rugby  a very physical and well organised Eastbourne side were first to draw blood when a penalty for a high tackle was kicked to touch deep in the Heath 22. The Eastbourne forwards did their work and after a few thwarted attempts at the line drove over for the opening try.

Heath hit back kicking a penalty to the corner where they secured clean line out ball which was fizzed out to the backs for captain Jack Lucas to cut through the opposition defence at the angle and score . Sam Denslow added the extras for 7-5.  Heath didn't hold the lead for long and a fine individual try down the blind side for Eastbourne's elusive fly half put the visitors back in front at 7-10.

The Heath blitz defence was putting Eastbourne under pressure and an aggressive press saw scrum half Olly Miller intercept a pass and run in from his own half to touch down for 12 -10.Heath continued to contain the big Eastbourne pack and when playing without the ball regularly hunted down and forced their opponents back spending a lot of time in the  visitors half.  A quick tapped penalty  from Miller ten metres out saw the Heath pack trying to breach the the line before it was swung wide where the chance was almost lost with some poor passing before the ball was regathered and driven back into the redzone. Quick ball had the Eastbourne defence struggling and when fly half Denslow stepped back inside through a gap ignoring the overlap outside him he was able to stroll in for the try which he  converted himself for a 19-10 halftime lead.

The second half saw Heath start to dominate and the increasing pressure told as they pinned the opposition back with the entire side rising to the challenge of hassling and hurrying the Eastbourne ball carriers. A well taken high ball from an Eastbourne clearance was recycled and spun wide for left winger Chris Benstead-Schlup to out pace the cover and score the bonus point try out wide which was converted by Denslow.

Heath stayed on the attack and within minutes were further ahead after more good work from the forwards bult a platform before the ball went to the midfield for Denslow to cross for his second of the day and a 33-10 lead.

Eastbourne reverted to their forwards to reduce the deficit  and hit back with a penalty try which saw Heath lose a man to the bin and then narrow the gap further as well  as secure their own bonus point with a fourth try for 33-24.

Heath didn't wobble and a quick tap penalty took them into the opposition 22 and some great interplay between the forwards saw Josh Salisbury take an offload from second row Harry Clark and crash through tacklers to take the game away from the visitors. As the final whistle approached Heath cut the Eastbourne defence apart again and after the forwards had driven up to the line a long pass bypassed all of the midfield defenders for full back Charlie Clare to dot down in the corner. Denslow knocked over the conversion for a final score of 45-24.

Not only was this a high quality match but it was Heath's best performance of the season with their forwards toughing it out against a larger more experienced pack and the backs looking to move quickly and exploit any opening available to them.

Heath Rams were away to Worthing III and came away with all the points after an impressive 22-43 victory which sees them move into second place in their league. Next week sees a break from league action with both sides in action at home on the 14th November.

1st Team Match Squad:  Charles Newey; Flinn Herbert; Euan Greaves-Smith; George Targett; Harry Clark; Alex Harrison; Josh Salisbury; Toby Vander; Olly Miller; Sam Denslow; Evan Herbert;  Jack Lucas; Josh Pratt; Christian Benstead-Schlup; Charlie Clare; Olly Critchley; Archie Francis: Matt Cains

Phil Herbert