Under beautiful blue skies we got off to our customary slow start and conceded a couple of early tries. Tino putting in a captain’s performance in defence inspired the other boys to raise their intensity and this increased aggression moved the game back into our favour. An excellent backs play put Fabi clear through, only for him to squander the chance to secure his 17th try of the season by putting the ball down short of the line.

Not long after, Tino capitalised on relentless Brighton pressure to break through the Heathfield defence and get a try back. We were now firmly on top with Heathfield racking up the penalties for high tackles and offsides. Everyone thought we had drawn even through a Freddie G try, only to see it disallowed as the eagle-eyed Heathfield touch judge spotted a foot in touch that everyone else missed. Heathfield managed to score another try from a smart interception to put the score 3-1 at the break.

A rousing team talk from Tino at half time had the players fired up for the second half. We continued to play at a high tempo, moving the ball through the hands to drag the Heathfield defence around. Several try saving tackles from Heathfield’s exceptional centre kept the game tight. In the second half we scored 4 tries, only to see 2 of them disallowed for players going into touch after more eagle-eyed touch judge interventions. The tries that counted were scored by Isaac and Nathan. Heathfield were fortunate to get one back to win the game 20-15.

Despite being the wrong side of the result and officiating Brighton ended the game proud of a very strong performance by every player involved.