Score 41-26

BRIGHTON vs HAYWARDS HEATH

Score 41-26

2^nd December 2001

" A hard fought but sometimes scrappy affair at Waterhall saw eleven tries scored, with Brighton coming away as eventual winners (7-4) despite Heath's strong resolve.

Heath applied pressure from the kick off and camped in Brighton's half, but strong defence thwarted their early attacks. Brighton’s handling was poorer than normal and key players developed a habit of running across the pitch instead of committing opposition tacklers or passing the ball to the outside player.

It was however a mistake in Heath's back division following a poor defensive kick, which resulted in the first score being run back by Nick O’Connor-Smith who scored on the wide outside for Brighton.

Heath succumbed again minutes later after a score by Karl Butler darting under the posts following excellent forward pressure. (two conversions)

Then a mistake by Heath defence allowed Brighton a break through and a fine individual try through Carl Smith.

Half time saw Brighton in the lead by nineteen points to nil, however Haywards Heath rightly felt that this wasn’t a fair reflection on the game at that point.

The second half saw a changed team format for the Heath and it produced early results. A strong run by Fly half Pargeter lead to Heath's first score followed within minutes by Emmerson crashing over from a five metre scrum. Brown converted.

Brighton, knocked back by sudden scores, pressed forward and yet another poor defensive kick by Heath allowed Brighton’s winger Doug Albon to run in another individual try.

Heath resolve returned and several phases of possession saw Heath centre Jackson break through to score for Heath, followed within minutes by yet another Heath score from a five metre scrum.

In the last ten minutes both sides entertained the crowd, with attack and counter attack, but it was Brighton who came away winners with a pushover try from Joe Mitchell, (despite Heath scrum half attempts to get under the ball!). Joe Mitchell followed this up with an excellent piece of individual brilliance. He stole the ball and then drove from the line out which had resulted from a previous mistake (where he went blind with the team lined up on the openside).

The final nail in the coffin from Matt Bellenie who scored in the corner from the centre three-quarter position. John Taylor had a particularly fine game for Brighton with his tackling and setting of the ruck ball and Joe Mitchell’s tackling was also of note.

All in all, an enjoyable and hard fought match, which allowed both sets of coaches the opportunity to review key positions and look forward with greater confidence to their next league fixtures"