Haywards Heath have admitted the hard work is just starting after they clinched their National League place.

Heath turned in a superb performance to hammer Reading 34-21 at Whitemans Green in probably the biggest club game ever staged in Sussex.

More than 1,200 people were treated to five Heath tries as they retained their perfect home record for the season.

It was their hard work in containing a powerful Reading pack which really proved vital in a momentous result for the red and blacks.

Reading, whose director of rugby is former Scottish international lock Alistair McHarg, came to Sussex with a reputation for a potentially destructive tight game.

Heath generally dealt well with that, then found their opponents lacked the flair to adopt a Plan B when required.

Skipper Alex Meredith said: "I'm chuffed to bits. We played really well.

"We knew they could be a useful side if they settled but we kept them under a lot of pressure.

"We closed down their scrum half Simon Dyson and the back row were outstanding."

Meredith and the Heath committee have already begun talks with at least one possible new signing as well as with their local council and MP in a bid to improve their home pitch.

The skipper added: "We need to get things moving along now.

"We are already looking ahead in terms of recruitment, training and playing facilities.

"Saturday was just fantastic. The weather was perfect and we could not have asked for a better day.

"I would like to thank everyone from around Sussex rugby who came to support us.

"That was a great compliment to us."

Heath won comfortably despite having three players sin-binned at various stages.

No. 8 Glenn Rankin was looking on from between the posts when his opposite number Ben Hauserman threw out a pass which Henry Goodburn intercepted for the crucial opening score from 40 yards out.

Giles Goodburn rounded off two great moves, with two conversions and a penalty by Owen Ashton opening a 22-0 half-time lead.

Henry Goodburn was also involved in the fourth score, on 45 minutes, as Heath added to their advantage.

His drop goal attempt was sliced but bounced and span back over the covering full back, giving Nick Stocker a run at the line. He was stopped just short but Damien Lyall was up in support to score.

Lyall and Rankin formed a makeshift second row after Rick Ure and the unlucky Nick Dinsdale were yellow-carded within a minute of each other.

Dave Wattam switched from flanker to No. 8 and was partnered in a two-man back row by Ashton, who made a temporary move from the right wing.

Reading's pack went on to score three second half tries, all converted, but Henry Goodburn had the final say, being sent to the corner flag by Meredith after the pack had disrupted a Reading put-in.

Ashton added the crowning glory with a superb conversion from the touchline.

Henry Goodburn, who has been with Heath since mini rugby days, said: "It was a fantastic day for the club. Every player played to his best. We knew we could win it from the first ten minutes."