Historic day for Cinque Ports

Heathfield Lost Boys 54     Cinque Ports Irregulars 5 (HT 15-5)

Whilst the result was obviously not one to savour, this was certainly a day to remember for Cinque Ports as for the first time their 2nd Irregular XV took the field. A mixture of vets, novices and players knocking at the door of the first team made the journey to Heathfield, including a trio of players who had played in the very first season for Cinque Ports (Co-Captains Gavin Thomas and Terry Doorey and reigning player of the year Steve Crump). Heathfield started well, their dangerous outside centre making gaps and a youthful winger used his pace to run in a couple of early tries. Full Back Steve Weale and winger Alex Sutherland manfully defended the flank, but were beaten for pace. Cinque Ports also looked dangerous, Thomas found gaps at scrum half releasing Doorey who used a sensible kicking game throughout the match to relieve pressure. As a result of this Cinque Ports found themselves camped in the Heathfield 22 towards the end of the half. Veteran prop Bob Earle almost capitalised on this, but lost the ball inches from the line. CPR worked the blind side, and Heathfield transgressed diving over the ruck. Thomas and Doorey combined again from the quick penalty, the tough outside half crashing over the line with the aid of a powerful drive from Nick Giles. Giles brought a burst of youthful energy to the game, his bullocking runs caused issues for the Heathfield defence and his tackling shackled the opposition forwards. From an interception Giles almost led CPR to the line again, but a knock on when grounding the ball after a succession of rucks saw the CPR denied. Sutherland was also thinking of what might have been but Thomas took the ball on himself when the young winger was calling for the ball in space. Despite the regular scores from Heathfield, the CPR players made their presence known all round the field- a tough scrum anchored by the powerful Crump and Giles meant that CPR had a lot of first phase ball, and a struggling line out was rescued by the towering Paul Rumble who won opposition ball against lifted  jumpers by simply angling his 6ft 7" frame and flicking the ball out of the air one handed. The centre of the field became a real battleground with both sides tackling well, Crump and Rumble by now had closed down the playmaker in the centre and the game eventually fizzled out as two ageing sides tired. The game was played in a very positive spirit with both sides looking to run the ball, despite their veteran status!

Thomas was very positive afterwards "I think to get a second team out so soon in our history is a great thing, it's important that all our players get regular rugby and the second team will provide that- by running two teams there will be a spirit of competition for every place at the club". Nick Giles was named man of the match for a barn storming performance.