Depleted Haywards Heath went down 26-11 in their National Cup first round tie at Blackheath.

The Sussex side, missing several regulars, could hold their heads high after a fine display.

They had a dreadful start when Charlie Abban scored a length-of-the-field intercept try inside two minutes.

Scrum half Harvey Viljoen later crossed, but not before opposite number Alex Meredith had scored after combining slickly with Henry Goodburn on the narrow side. Meredith also landed two penalties.

Heath's pack stood up well, with Gordon Denslow claiming two strikes against the head, and they were pressing at the final whistle.

Worthing's build-up to the Three South East campaign was rounded off with a 39-14 success at Esher II. Tries came from Terry Butler (2), Aaron DeBoer, Jamie Newhouse, Graham Fox and Dave Davies.

Crowborough, who had a bye in the Intermediate Cup, eased past Old Caterhamians 48-10 in a club match.

Flanker Laurence Ross scored form a lineout in the first minute and scores followed from Paul Gray, Jim Ball, Tim Jackson, Jon Hicks, Jon De Sampaio, James Slender and Bruce Brooker.

Lewes had a free passage in the cup after UC Chichester withdrew. The sides played a friendly in which two tries apiece from Dave Hemsley and Duncan Barton helped Lewes to a 31-7 win.