Colts On Top against Haywards Heath

Wet and windy conditions ensured flowing rugby was going to be difficult and the early part of the game was a forward battle in mid field. Just as Heath were starting to force their way into the Horsham half, the Horsham backs managed to put together a flowing move which took them towards the Heath 22 forcing a penalty at the breakdown. Instead of kicking for the corner, fly half Cameron Allan put in a high up and under into the Heath 22 and the ball was spilled. Horsham quickly pounced and when the ball reached wing Declan Nwackukwu he outpaced the covering defence to put his team 5-0 in the lead, The conversion was missed.

The rest of the half saw the Horsham forwards starting to dominate but the slippery ball and poor decision making ensured the home side could not add to their lead.

The second half wasn't much different with the conditions hampering any fluid play despite Horsham trying to build on their forward dominance to unleash their pace outwide. To their enormous credit they never stopped trying and eventually Cameron Allan broke from his own 10 yard line and timed his pass to wing Ben Birch perfectly. Birch still had a lot to do as Heath scrambled their defence to cover the danger but he evaded a
couple of tackles and showed great pace to score Horsham's second try.
Allan converted successfully to make the score 12 - 0.

Heath continued to compete fiercely, particularly at the breakdown but Horsham spent most of the rest of the game in the opposition 22. A number of try scoring opportunities went begging with the easiest seeing the normal lethal Nwachukwu spill scrum halfs Josh Steggles pass with the line at his mercy and no defenders in sight.

There was no further scores and both teams quickly retired to the warmth of the clubhouse. It was a very hard fought but deserved win for Horsham with the foundation of the victory being delivered by the forwards, where the front row of Liam Brady, David Fennelly and captain Kyle Fairs were particularly outstanding.

There are a few battered bodies so the Xmas break is more than welcome.