Hove Reds slip to narrow defeat vs Heathfield

Hove Reds 14 - Heathfield 19

Hove Reds started their Sussex league fixtures against a well organised and committed Heathfield side.

The Reds started well spending the first 15 minutes camped into the Heathfield half and threatening the line. With the scrum working well, and committed support runs in the forwards, Hove tried repeatedly early to open the scoring - camping in the Heathfield 22. After one such scum Chris took the ball on the run only to be held up short. More early pressure saw Heath knock on and Max carry the ball to the short side and almost put Dan in for a try, only to be held up on the line. Another scrum on the Heathfield 22 saw Conor pick the ball from the base of the scrum and move it on to Dan who was again held up short of the line. A knock on enabled Heathfield to relieve the pressure with a kick. Hove earnt a line out and from the restart Oli weaved through the Heathfield defence to again play in Chris on the run, and taking the ball one handed went into contact, only for Heath to turnover the ball in the ruck. 2 potential tries went begging as Chris put down over the try line only for a knock on earlier in play to be called. And Conor driving through the defence again out down only for the ball to be balled fractionally short of the line.

After this spell of pressure the Heath defence started to get on top and a number of Hove's passing moves ended in stalemate. The resolute defence for Heath eventually paid off, and after another turnover in Hove ruck the visitors earned a scrum and could carry the ball down Hove's wing. From the put in Heathfield attacked the blind side and scored. A second try quickly followed as Hove’s heads dropped after the initial score, and their defensive structure went missing for a short time.

A quick reflection at half time on the strengths of our own game, saw a better spirit, and the momentum of the match move back to Hove as we came out flying. Alex carried the kick restart back to the Heathfield half, and then into the hands of Chris again on the move. The next phase saw Heath look to carry the ball back to Hove, but Josh read the passing and was nearly away with an interception. And soon enough Hove were back on the game - a break down the left wing from Oli resulted in the ball ending with Alex on the wing and riding a couple of tackles he weaved his way across the line for a try - converted successfully by Sam.

Hove then had a sustained spell of pressure, move the ball from side to side as we looked for another way through, but a combination of rigid defence and a little white line fever saw opportunities for overlap go missing as we pushed almost too hard for an equalising try.

Heathfield utilised the kick chase to clear defence and gain territory and had spells in the Hove 22 that required lung busting efforts to recover, but Hove broke again to take the game back to Heath on the left wing. Eventually one of these breaks saw Heath regain the initiative and score - putting them 2 scores ahead.

But Hove weren't finished and Harry carried the ball direct before being brought down 10 yards from the try line. The resulting ruck was successfully recycled to Oli, and then Josh who came close to the try with a leg drive before a back handed pass found Ollie, and back into (the first) Josh who was robbed again just short. Heath kicked clear but the ball was quickly recovered by Sam, and an offload to Jez moved the ball into the hands of Alex who carried forward making 30 yards, before moving back inside to Oli, and then onto Conor who crashed for the line. He was eventually robbed and kicked clear once more, but recovered by Alex who attempted to weave his way down the line again. A 3 full minutes of open play going through 10 phases of play.

Hove eventually got their just rewards. A quickly taken line out to Conor drew the defence, and quick ball from the ruck saw Oli move the ball into the hands of Max and eventually to Alex who went down the left wing again for a score.

Hove kept pushing and one phase of play say 2 Hove players catch a Heath ball carrier in possession and Chris thought he was clear with a rip only to be called offside. And one last phase from kick off saw Chris recover a kick and pop the ball to Oli Hove move the ball through Max's hands and then into Conor on the left wing - another recycled ruck. Josh bounce through 2 defenders and off loaded to Max down the left channel and onto Alex again, and then back inside to Chis on the run, off to Jez, to Oli, to Josh to Harry who nearly found his way through, Josh took the ball from the ruck and took defence on again, only for the move to fall short.

Hove eventually ran out of time to rescue the match, and Heathfield ran out winners. A great effort by everyone and a very enjoyable game to watch.

A shout out to Alex for a MoM performance and to the entire front 5 forwards for keeping Hove alive all game.