Sussex teams dominant in action packed rugby matches

While two sides put in dominant displays to secure maximum points one side pushed their top-of-the-table opponents to the brink in an electrifying match.

Chichester 43 Jersey 66

Chichester were pipped to the post in a 16 try thriller as they hosted top-of-the-table Jersey.

Six tries for the Blues were not enough to stop the Channel Island side as they march towards promotion.

Tries from Joel Andrews and Elliot Haydon among others will prove crucial with a bonus point keeping the team in touch of those above them.

Chichester found themselves on the back foot early one with Jersey scoring after just six minutes.

With Haydon slotting penalty, Jersey hit back with another try. However, young speedster Joel Andrews outpaced his opposite man to collect his own grubber kick to give the Blues their first score of the day.

A dominant Jersey scrum helped score two more tries for the visitors but Chichester’s own pack helped to edge the team towards the try line. Haydon crossed the line to down the ball just before half time, but Jersey hit back for their own score before the break.

Charging prop Alex Einchcomb brought life to the Chichester team just after the break marauding into the opposition 22 and over the line to score.

However, Jersey’s pack curbed the Chichester pressure, adding two more tries to widen the margin.

Chichester hit back with two quick tries of their own to reduce the deficit to two scores. Winger Charlie Davies gathered Haydon’s chip over the Jersey defence to score under the posts while a Blues maul from the lineout resulted in a penalty try after it was stopped illegally.

With both teams losing players to the sin bin Jersey once again added eighth and ninth tries of the afternoon.

Despite being a player down seven minutes from time Chichester forced a penalty for an important lineout which resulted in George Prentice scoring under the posts.

Jersey scored the last points of the game to cap off a thrilling 43-66 match.

Chichester will benefit from a crucial bonus point which keeps them in touch with Newbury and Wimborne in the Regional South Central league.

They now travel to Witney in a fortnight for their next match.

Haywards Heath 36 Worthing II 0

Haywards Heath put in their best performance of the season to take a dominant whitewash victory against Worthing Azurians.

Haywards Heath vs Worthing Azurians (Image: Haywards Heath RFC)

A stout defence from the home side repelled Worthing throughout the match to keep their opponents off the score sheet.

Christian Streeter outpaced the Worthing defence for the first try of the match, grabbing the offload from winger Aidan Baker to open Heath’s account for the day.

Worthing turned up the heat and threw all they had at Heath who were camped on their own line defending for close on 20 minutes.

Repeated turnovers and last-ditch tackles saw the red and black defensive wall hold firm despite coming under immense pressure.

Jamie Thurston widened the gap between the sides when he broke blind and sent a grubber through the Worthing defence, chasing his own kick down for a try in the corner.

Despite two yellow cards shortly after half time, Haywards Heath continued to widen the margin with a penalty from fly half Tom Wharton.

Ten minutes later more Heath pressure put the Worthing scrum in trouble five metres out and when the ball shot out unexpectedly. Wharton was able to dive on the loose ball for an opportunist try which he converted himself for 22-0.

Heath secured the bonus point when centre Streeter fielded a beautifully weighted kick for Wharton to score his second and secure the extra point.

The score sheet was completed Toby Vander offloaded to Thurston from an explosive run to make the scrum the second double scorer of the day.

Late drama saw both sides given a red card for an end of game fracas but Heath were able to hang on to a game where Worthing proved fierce opposition despite the story on the scoreboard.

Haywards Heath completed a double over Worthing when their Rams ran away with their game to secure a 67-5 victory.

Heath will be back in league action away to Brighton II next week in another tough encounter.

Hove 58 Old Cranleighans 7

Hove secured a comfortable win over bottom of the league Old Cranleighans in a ten-try encounter at Hove Rec.

Hove vs Old Cranleighans (Image: Warwick Barker)

Double scores for Leo Robertson and Rob Ward helped the home side to a second win in as many weeks to continue their 2024 form.

Hove rested six regular starters for this match but a quick converted score by Lloyd Sweeney opened the side's account.

The visitors piled on their own pressure for their own converted try and threatened to score again. However, Robertson intercepted a pass to dot down for his first of the day with Hove ten points ahead at half time.

Hove gradually converted their dominance into tries and points in the second half, scoring a further eight tries to cap off a fantastic win for the team.

They will now travel to Twickenham this weekend hoping to overcome past struggles to build on their winning streak.

Results from across Sussex:

• Worthing Raiders 26 Barnes 49
• Brighton 31 Horsham 14
• Chichester 43 Jersey 66
• East Grinstead 18 Old Tiffinians 39
• Eastbourne 68 Trinity 19
• Hove 58 Old Cranleighans 7
• Bognor 15 Ellingham and Ringwood 44
• Chichester II 8 United Service Portsmouth 41
• Chichester III 22 Milbrook II 12
• Heathfield and Waldron 22 Canterbury II 45
• Crowborough 17 Deal and Betteshanger 5
• Hastings and Bexhill 8 Tonbridge Juddians II 22
• Rye 40 Aylesford Bulls II 21
• Brighton and Sussex Medical School 40 St Francis 41
• Pulborough 36 Brighton II 17
• Burgess Hill 3 Uckfield 13
• Haywards Heath 36 Worthing Azurians 0
• Seaford 33 Shoreham 38
• Ditchling 19 Barns Green 10
• Eastbourne II 45 Horsham Barbarians 5
• Hove III 52 Steyning 19
• Crowborough III 47 Eastbourne III 7
• Hastings and Bexhill II 8
• St Leonards Cinque Ports 17