Mud, wet and shivers

Having had three previous games last season and lost by a narrow margin, we were confident that as long as HEG kept to the game plan, the encounter would go our way this time. Conditions were somewhat wet underfoot but the occasional shower helped clean off the mud from each player.

It was clear that Crawley had retained a substantial pack and from previous games, fast wingers. So the plan was simple - 1st time low tackles, hold up the forwards and focus on the 10 and 13 channels to cut down ball to the wings. We started well with fast attack and defence pushing into the Crawley 22 from the off, some focused pressure and we managed to push over the try line with Oliver Sharp scoring in the first 5 mins. A second followed as Adam Tarratt broke free and with straight and powerful running was under the posts followed by a quick conversion. The scrum held well with our technique considerably improved from last season allowing Callum Price at no 9 to serve good ball to the running backs. George Jeremy showed some particularly strong runs to break the gain line again and again, the reward being a third try.

And so we continued with significant possession and disruption in and at the breakdown to deny Crawley possession. Some monster tackles coming in from Will Birchell and Mark Burgess spurred on the team.

We carried on the second half as much as the first, but the hard knocks where beginning to take their toll, so a substitution and pack restructure had Mark Wint move to flanker and Paddy Wheals onto the wing and back to work we went. Further tries from Adam Tarratt converted by Tom Edevane sealed the bonus point with the final score 29-0. To their credit Crawley never backed down or held back and one can see, if a few technical areas are improved on allowing them to protect then move the ball, they will be a difficult side to contain.

So a very well executed game plan, combined with a strong gutsy performance, in cold and wet conditions, from a whole squad, delivered a great result......and the Coaches lived happily ever after. The end. Till the next game GREEN ARMY !!!!!!

Andrew Robison