Sussex rugby scores: Haywards Heath 27 Brighton Athletic 22

A late spree of tries helped to turn around a patchy performance, coming from behind to secure a 27-22 victory.

Heath continue their push for the title having lost just one game all season, writes Tracey Spuyman.

Brighton broke the deadlock early on with a powerful carry from the forwards setting up an overlap to dot down in the corner.

However, the visitors hit back when full back Chris Neill exchanging passes with scrum half Evan Herbert to draw the defence in and go over in the corner.

A quick double of tries from Brighton extended the lead further as the hosts exploited gaps on the flanks to drive to the line before again finding an overlap to score in the corner.

Brighton later broke from their own lineout to sprint up the pitch before their pack barrelled over the line for their third score.

Heath finally managed to get back into the match from a kick to the corner to set up a lineout in opposing territory.

Haywards Heath’s forwards were able to drive the set piece within five metres before strong backs play set up Takhy Ndiaye Marrero to score a crucial try heading into the break.

Brighton stretched their lead midway the second period after breaking two tackles from the Heath defence to go over in the corner to secure a bonus point.

The visitors were finally stung into action in the final quarter of the match, breaking inside their own half before skipper Wilf Bridges dotted down to close the deficit.

Haywards Heath vs Brighton Athletic (Image: Haywards Heath RFC)

Within five minutes Heath were back over the whitewash with another break from deep and more intricate passing seeing centre Henry Starkey skip through to secure a bonus point for the visitors and narrow the game to a single score.

After a disallowed try let threatened the Brighton try line, Heath’s scrum proved dominant provided a platform from Streeter to burst through the defensive line to dive over for the winning score.

There was still five minutes remaining and when Heath made a mess of two or three opportunities to exit Brighton looked to steal the win. However, Heath’s defensive wall stood firm against a three minutes onslaught of intense Brighton attacks thwarted by a turnover penalty for the final whistle.

Haywards Heath now continue to push on towards the title with unbeaten Pulborough just three points ahead at the top of the table.

Two bonus points for Brighton Athletic keep them in contention in fourth in the league.

Heath now look to gain points against Seaford while Brighton travel to Uckfield for a crunch fourth versus fifth tie.

Full results this week:

• Eastbourne 18 KCS Old Boys 56
• Bognor 10 Petersfield 57
• Rye 43 Thanet Wanderers II 10
• Eastbourne II 33 Jersey Royals 17
• Steyning 17 Lewes 57
• East Grinstead II 20 Heathfield and Waldron II 10
• Holbrook 38 St Francis 15
• Littlehampton 26 Shoreham II 30

Postponed:

• Worthing Raiders vs Westcombe Park
• East Grinstead vs Kingston
• Hove vs Twickenham
• Chichester II vs Winchester II
• Bognor II vs Basingstoke II
• Chichester III vs Farnborough
• Crowborough vs Dover
• Heathfield and Waldron vs Beccehamian
• Hastings and Bexhill vs Old Alleynians II
• Uckfield vs Pulborough
• Worthing Azurians vs Seaford
• Barns Green vs Hove III
• Hellingly vs Newick

Abandoned :

• Crawley vs Burgess Hill