Heathfield 2's 17- Pulborough 2's 25

Another road trip for the Pirates saw them up against another second team that on their day are capable of beating anyone in the league. In a scrappy affair, with some flashes of brilliance, the scores stayed tight but always in the favour of the team from Pulborough.

The standard chat about starting hard and fast thankfully sank in finally. A mixture of high tackles, shoulder barges and smashing the ruck from the side really made the opposition think. Amongst the penalties though, there some very strong ball carrying and 'Boro were certainly in the ascendancy.

After making good ground up the middle of the pitch the play was switched to the blind side by Jonny Scrase, who was playing at fly-half for the first time since most of the team were born. He fizzed a pass out and fast hands from James Nettlefold and Josh Haulkham saw Oli Bamber with the ball on the far left. He made the break, showing a clean pair of heels to his opposite winger who'd taken an illegal walloping from skipper Joe Leddra just minutes previously, and off-loaded to Barney Reed who bulldozed his way under the posts for the opening score.

This try was made sweeter by the 'fatty' comments Barney received just before scoring. I'm sure I saw him stuck his tongue out as he dotted the ball down. Anyway, Heathfield kicked off and the ball was pinned back down the other end of the playground for the next ten minutes.

With the Pirates slipping off some tackles Heathfield managed to get a try back before 'Borough once again took control and headed up the pitch. About 10 metres out the youthful looking Josh Atkins threw the most outrageous dummy seen for a long time. With both teams looking for the ball over the shoulder of his outside man Josh scooted over the line for a try. Converted by Alex Ryan.

With confidence starting to build strong carries from Barney Reed and Garry Kidner it looks as though another score was on the cards. Unfortunately the ball spilt and was hacked through. A foot race ensued between Marc Livesley and the Heathfield centre. Marc slid for the ball like a child in a supermarket but missed it completely! The centre picked it up and ran the rest of the way in to score. Halftime 12-15.

The second half was a scrappy affair but 'Boro opened up a lead very quickly when Josh Atkins, now at 10, cut the Heathfield defence in two and scored under the posts. 12-22.

The Pirates should have gone on to take the game away from Heathfield at this point. But all credit to them they dug their heels in and managed to get another try back when the ball was dropped out wide after a complete mess that I won't bother to try to explain.17-22.

With 10 minutes to go 'Boro were awarded a penalty and Al Ryan stepped up to slot the 3 points. 17-25.

The only thing to note in the rest of the game was a moment of madness from Matt Coral who retaliated against his opposing hooker right in front of the referee. Down to 14 men the boys really stepped up a gear to keep the score the same.

Final score 17-25.

Special mentions to Josh Atkins, threatening in attack throughout. Jonny Scrase for giving the opposing scrum half hell. Chris Francis for getting round the park well at flanker and later admitting he prefers the second row (really?!). Oscar Greval for finally proving himself a forward and Oli Bamber for a strong running game on the wing.

Overall it was not a strong performance and will need to be improved if we are to beat the inform Ditchling next week. But there was a really positive mood as the Pirates secured another win to stay second in the league table.

1 C Whyte 2 M Coral 3 R Dicks 4 M Livesley 5 G Kidner 6 C Francis 7 J Leddra (C) 8 B Reed 9 J Atkins 10 J Scrase 11 A Ryan 12 J Nettlefold 13 J Haulkham 14 O Bamber 15 O Greval 16 G Fletcher 17 J Corbett 18 S Hoadley

Tries- Reed, Atkins 2

Cons- Ryan 2

Pens- Ryan 2

Joe Leddra- 2nd XV captain