Haywards Heath must survive a daunting tie in the West Country if they are secure a cup final date at Twickenham.

Heath have been drawn away to St Mary's OB of Bristol in the last 16 of the Powergen Intermediate Cup.

The tie, to be played on January 18, will be a major test for skipper Alex Meredith's side, who eased past Thurrock 34-5 in the fifth round at foggy Whitemans Green on Saturday.

St Mary's were also on song, thrashing University Vandals helped by a storming performance from their pack.

Like Heath, they are also excelling in the league, having won nine out of ten matches to stand second in South West Two West.

It promises to be a tremendous tussle but Heath flanker Dave Wattam, who capped an outstanding display with his side's fifth and final try, admitted he was thinking more about Seaford than Twickenham as Saturday's tie developed.

He said: "At one stage I thought we wouldn't be able to see anything because of the fog.

"I've played at Seaford before and experienced it when the mist has come in off the sea. It reminded me of that.

"When we were warming up I was thinking it wasn't looking too good. It's always in the back of your mind that the game could get called off at the last minute but no one actually mentioned it."

Meredith's sharply taken try from a tap penalty helped Heath change ends with an 8-0 lead and they took charge with three tries in 11 minutes straight after the break.

Nick Killick was involved in the first two with Giles Goodburn powering through from halfway and Damien Lyall grabbing a five-yard finish in support of a Henry Goodburn break.

Stuart Charnley scored number four to go with his three conversions and a penalty and, though Christian Rate replied for Thurrock, Heath hit straight back with Wattam's score after another good handling move.

Wattam added: "We hit the second half very well, taking the ball from the kick-offs and setting it up.

"Giles's try straight after half-time made a big difference. Conditions weren't great for running rugby but there was some fantastic handling between backs and forwards."

Heath did not receive any favours in the league as their main London One promotion rivals won.

Leaders Southend, the first visitors to Whitemans Green in the new year, were successful by 31-16 at Thanet Wanderers while London Nigerians, who Heath visit on January 4, had a 32-9 victory at Cheshunt.

Wattam admits promotion remains the priority.

He said: "I want to see us go up. That's our main concern and we also want to put the record straight in the Sussex Trophy.

"We never seem to perform to our best against Sussex clubs and Worthing are flying so I would expect us to have a tremendous battle with them somewhere along the line.

"I've experienced Twickenham in sevens. To play there for your club 15 would be something special but there is still a long way to go and other things to worry about before that."

Ali Travis struck twice for Haywards Heath III in a 22-7 defeat of Old Brightonians at Waterhall. Ashley Maylin and Julian Drage also scored tries with Mark Dodd crossing for OBs.

WORTHING have been told to take the festive celebrations easy as they spend Christmas four points clear at the top of London Two South.

Outside half Alistair Wood scored two tries and made another to help clinch a 22-5 home win over Effingham and Leatherhead.

Wood's scoring pass set up a third try in two games for prop Raynn Bruce, who later returned the favour.

There was also a try following a charge down by the Worthing No. 10.

Ben Coulson kicked a conversion and late penalty to boost the tally and Worthing could have scored a couple more tries.

Now they look ahead to the key trip to title rivals Gosport and Fareham on January 4.

The Hampshire outfit bounced back to form with a 34-0 home thrashing of Cobham on Saturday and Worthing coach Ian Davies said: "That game is going to be massive.

"Gosport are unbeaten at home in the league for something like 18 months and they will be a tough nut to crack.

"Historically the first game back after Christmas for Worthing is never pretty so hopefully we can change that."

A brilliant try from Jon Scrase sent Pulborough into the last four of the Sussex Intermediate Shield at the expense of holders Seaford.

The veteran scrum half sped clear down the narrow side after his pack had won possession inside their own 22 in the second half.

His try gave Pulborough an 8-7 win from another hard fought tussle between two well matched sides.

Pulborough club president Alex Steele said: "Jonny came back rejuvenated this season. He has been on fire for us."

Richard Walters had earlier slotted a penalty to give Pulborough the lead but Seaford hit back before half-time.

Jason Pheasant provided the pass for Karl Kristiansen to score in the corner, with Simon Baker's touchline conversion giving Seaford a 7-3 half-time lead.

Danny Newby also crossed but was judged to have dropped the ball before grounding it.

Crowborough are also into the semis after their 48-5 home win over Midhurst.