Haywards Heath RFC win Sussex rugby league title despite Shoreham loss

Shoreham fly half Toby Gale pinned Heath back with a well-executed kicking game which helped to secure a tight 29-24 win at home at Buckingham Park.

But four tries from Heath made possible by powerful carries through the backs secured the Counties 2 Sussex win and promotion by a single point in the final day title decider.

Shoreham lay siege to the Heath try line early after Gale switched field position with a 50-22 and, through a sharp backs move, Connor Fairhall touched down in the far corner for the first score.

Shoreham winger Danny James offloads (Image: Warwick Baker)

However, Heath responded in emphatic fashion with their first attacks of the game as centre Jack Lucas muscled his way down the pitch to create a platform for the visitors. Centre partner Will Galbraith-Gibbons drove over the line but the referee awarded a penalty try and sent Shoreham winger Danny Gale to the sin bin.

Lucas continued the be the focal point of the Heath backs attack entering the half time break and took the ball to the 5m line with minutes until the break. Scrum half Jamie Thurston saw his opportunity and used his speed to snipe over and extend the advantage.

Shoreham fly half Toby Gale, middle (Image: Warwick Baker)

Shoreham came out of the blocks fast after the game and flipped momentum with two quick scores. Winger James showed his pace to pin Heath back to their own try line and, after recovering a blocked box kick, back rower Gav Cox dived over from a penalty to equalise.

Minutes later the hosts took the advantage after capitalising on a botched kick recovery to work their way across the pitch. Skipper Mark Lavery dived over for the score.

Heath got over their early lull in tempo and brought the attack back to the hosts – with Lucas once again providing the go-forward needed.

Shorehams Gav Cox touches down for score (Image: Warwick Baker)

The centre charged over the whitewash as Heath attacked the left-hand channel, leaving the visitors only needing a single try to mathematically secure the league.

Another kick off error nearly saw Shoreham’s Danny James touch down for a spectacular score, and soon enough the hosts were knocking at the door again after a series of lineouts.

Dan Adams battered his way to the line before Sean Shepherd scarpered over to put the league title in Shoreham’s hands for the first time in the match.

The title was, however, ripped away from the hosts just minutes later when Christian Streater broke free to dot down untouched under the posts. The fourth try meant Heath were all but guaranteed the league win with minutes to spare.

Despite extending the lead in the dying moments, Shoreham took the maximum points but could not secure the elusive league title.

‘Promotion will be a big step up’

Speaking after the game, Haywards Heath captain Wilf Bridges reflected on an “unbelievable” season.

Heath lost just two games all season, including on the final day, and went unbeaten from November.

Haywards Heath captain Wilf Bridges, centre (Image: Warwick Baker)

Now, Bridges is looking ahead to next season and how far the Heath 1st XV can go.

The captain said: “To win the league is absolutely fantastic but obviously not the way we wanted to do it by losing the game. At the end of the day we still won the league and go up next year.

“Shoreham were very, very good. They definitely bought it to us, we're definitely the boys at the top and they wanted to get the win and they did.

“This year has been unbelievable and the boys have really committed themselves.

“We knew this season we would be strong but we never thought we'd be this strong and competing every week in week out. some games we were just absolutely fantastic.

“Promotion is a big step up next year and we've just got to make sure we keep all the boys around and go again next year. I think these boys can go very, very far.”