Heathfield secured another five try bonus point this time at home against a new and young Horsham side in the second NC1 league match of the season.
Although the forecast threatened this to be a wet and muddy affair, the rain held off and the muggy warm conditions meant for a sweaty afternoons work for all involved.
The Hardy Roberts pitch was lush and green, with the ground holding under foot meaning running rugby was on the cards…
The first quarter was a true arm wrestle for control, with the home side getting the nudge on at scrum time and looking the stronger in the pack. But the away side looking dangerous on the counter with a few forays into the home half.
The Heathfield front 5 continued to come up with dominant carries, with tight-head Abi Bandtock & Caitlin Flower proving very difficult to stop. As the home side gradually started to build some continuity and following a number of nearly moments the pressure soon paid off with Merve Prestedge holding off her opposite number to dot down in the right-hand corner. Conversion just short.
This gave the home side the confidence they needed after two tough results last year, and some great structure and team synchronicity brought about more pressure on the Horsham line. Despite the resolute Horsham defence Merve Prestedge went over again in the same corner, but this time fighting off a number of defenders to finish impressively. A sigh of relief after just minutes before Becky Taylor was adjudged to have been held up in the same corner just minutes before.
With the end of the first half nearing and again strong carries from the pack opportunity beckoned once more to get on the score board once more before the break. The home side back line took their opportunity with vice captain Chip Chippett linking well with centre partner Sophia skinner and breaking the Horsham defence with a mazing run. With the fullback to beat Chip selflessly moved the ball to the onrushing winger Phoebe Morgan who finished well this time in the left-hand corner. Conversion again too wideout so Heathfield went in happy with their performance, but only a 15-0 point lead which could have easily been chased down.

Horsham started the second half strongly with their number 14 Rachel Marchesan and fullback Georgia Pearce proving tricky to stop. The away side however were hampered by their lack of interchanges and injuries meant they were often having to chop and change preventing any meaningful continuity.
This Away pressure was soon turned around with home side moving towards the clubhouse corner with some slick backs handling. Phoebe Morgan then Georgia Reed-Davies were stopped short before the ball was worked all the way back to the left through may pairs of hands for Chip Chippett to get a well-deserved try and the bonus point in the top left corner. 20- 0.
A good kick off from the Horsham Fly Half put Heathfield back into their 22 and an unusual tap and go from a penalty 10m from their own line meant the away side were able to apply pressure. A charged down attempted clearance gave the visitors an opportunistic try, and the first and last real threat on the home try line.
The cherry on the cake was scored by last weeks forward of the match and try scorer Amber Lovick, unlike last week the score was built by some great backs interplay followed by Fly half Megan Plane picking out Lovick with a great line back against the grain to smash through to the line with defenders laying in her wake. Duly converted by Meg Plane 27-7.
The final 10 minutes were unfortunately hampered by number of injuries to the away side, resulting in uncontested scrums. The dominant Heathfield display was then ended on a sour note with hooker Steph Chipps getting caught at the bottom of a ruck and injuring her wrist, ruining a fine day at the office for the young front row.
After the game the referee, who again had a fine game, mentioned the home sides physicality being the difference. The coaches & captains also picked out on Caitlin Flower, Poppy Eacott & Velvet Turner for their combative performances.
Heathfield ladies next fixture has them travelling to Horsham in the Papa John’s Cup Round 1 (29 Sep 2.00).
Starting Team
1. Amber Lovick 2. Stephanie Ryan 3. Abi Bandtock 4. Velvet Turner 5. Georgia Reed-Davies 6. Sophie Saunders 7. Rebecca Taylor 8. Caitlin Flower 9. Brittany Mole 10. Megan Plane 11. Merve Prestedge 12. Sophia Skinner 13. Charleerose Chippett 14. Phoebe Morgan 15. Megan Baker
Replacements
16. Kirsten McPhail 17. Hannah Overy 18. Charlene Croft 19. Freya Gorringe 20. Poppy Eacott 21. Maya Champion 22. Jazz Lewis