A first league game for Heath since the 3rd December after cancellations due to waterlogging and frozen ground saw them on an away trip to face impressive runaway league leaders Eastbourne who have remained unbeaten throughout the first part of the season.

With a young side half of whom were under 20 this was always going to be a tough assignment for Heath and so it proved. Despite some very early promise Heath they fell behind to a well worked Eastbourne try, Heath responded with a Tom Wharton penalty to reduce the deficit to 7-3 but that was as close as it got. Eastbourne's fast and well organised attack tore the visitors defence to shreds and the slender lead extended to a 28-3 bonus point lead after only 20 minutes of the game played.

Heath managed to strike back with a well worked try of their own after some slick inter-passing between backs and forwards out wide allowing captain Wilf Bridges to crash over for a try that was converted by Wharton for 28-3 but it was not enough to turn the tide. Two more Eastbourne tries before the break saw them in total command at the interval with a score line of 40-10.

Whilst the second half was more competitive and Heath had some possession other than colt Cameron Reed playing at scrum half who looked lively the team couldn't convert pressure. Three more well executed tries from the home side moved the score board on and it was only a consolation try for Heath when veteran second row Dan Shotton took opposition ball at the front of the line out and drove to score for a final tally of 55-15.

Lots to work on for Heath in both defence and attack as they go into a run of 7 games on the bounce over the next few weeks looking to hold onto their third placed position in the league. Next week sees them on another away trip to local rivals Crawley.

Heath Squad:
Euan Greaves- Smith; Harry Edwards; Elliott Higgin; Ellis Dubois; Dan Shotton; Fraser Russell; Jack Herbert; Wilf Bridges (capt); Cameron Reed; Tom Wharton; Matt Cains; Henry Verbi; Chris Neill; Reuben Lawes; Dougie Kern; Ollie Robertson ; Charlie Fenwick;