Superb Simon pulls strings

This was one of Heath's most testing games of the season and Burgess Hill often enjoyed superiority up front from their large pack, which was particularly strong in the lineout and the driving maul.

However, Heathfield dominated the loose ball and their experienced No.8 Simon Wilson had one of his finest games for the club, inspiring his younger colleagues in the back row to terrific deeds in snuffling out their opponent's possession and winning 50-50 ball on the ground.

With four quite outstanding back-row forwards to choose from Heathfield are excelling in that area of play every week. That said, the pack is susceptible to rolling mauls and only drew clear of their opponents in the final 15 minutes of a well-contested game.

Heath won the toss and chose to play into a strong wind, and Burgess Hill scored early with a good try out wide after a deft kick ahead by their scrum half. Heathfield defended stoutly against the elements and were rewarded by two good tries, one by the rapidly-improving Kobi Tonkin, who completed a good handling movement on the left, and the other by Mike Hole, again after good handling by the backs.

Heath changed ends in the lead by one try but conceded ground early in the second half when Burgess Hill used the strength of their forwards to cross Heathfield's line after a series of five-metre scrums and lineouts.

The next quarter was a tense affair, with neither side being able to force an advantage. The tackling on both sides was superb and each had opportunities to take the lead.

Heathfield remained patient and kept their discipline with skipper Bryn Jones putting in some telling kicks so that his side played the final quarter of the game encamped in their opponent's 22.

Tries inevitably followed from Damien Pastel after a surging run through the Burgess Hill defence, an excellent pick-up and drive run from the base of the scrum by Simon Wilson and finally a gem from the skipper himself, running a beautiful line from 20 metres out and scoring near the posts.