HEG Barbarians ( Horsham and EG) traveled to Heathfield (and Waldren) for their opening league match, which, as H&W came down to league 2 was always going to be a competitive game. This proved exactly the case - H&W fielded a very large pack and battle commenced, HEG soaked up the pressure with strong commitment to the tackle and positive running. However H&W began to show strong breakthrough's and counter rucks. HEG needed to play wide but this proved easier said that done. As expected H&W pushed forward and eventually crossed our line, and so for most of the 1st half we held, with H&W's no 16 and 3 continuing to press. Great resilience and we held them to 10 nil first half. The plan was now simple, get to the wings and run and run and run hoping those Wednesday fitness sessions would pay dividends. We finally crashed through with Will Burchell managing to stretch out over the try line for that vital grounding. Game on , we could score and we could move the ball. However lost a few moments concentration. Slipped off tackles and it was 15-5 with 19mins left (by the way no one was converting today). So from the coaches more of the same .... Wide pls. And so the fight back began ....we pushed forward - held our own against the counter ruck and started to run. A quick break and kick though gave George Clarke an opportunity to dive on the ball over the H&W try line .... 15-10. Paddy Wheal's boots finally arrived so we put him on with 10 mins to go. The tide began to turn and our pack began to hold more of our own ball and start turning over the opposition. As we pilled on the pressure H&W's infringements rose and with 30 seconds on the clock we had a penalty 10m from the line. George Clarke stepped up drove straight and strong and over ....15-15 ....end of game. Great performance, commitment and belief. Well done all.

Andrew Robison