SHORT OF PLAYERS FULL OF HEART

In there last game before Christmas, Heathens travelled across to Bedford Swifts after the original opposition Wisbech pulled out (clearly to afraid to venture out of the fens). with late drop outs Heathens took the field with 14 men, Swifts Graciously filled the void to allow Heathens to start the game with 15. From the kick off, Heathens showed that they were in the mood for a game with the swifts catcher being hit ferociously by the chasing Heathens pack. Wet muddy ground made it hard going to play an expansive game and a few handling errors gave field position to Swifts. The Heathens defence was ferocious and hits came in from everywhere giving swifts no ground. The Heathens game plan was simple. hit the ball up through the forwards and earn the right to go wide. after sustained pressure by Swifts, Heathens turned the ball over inside their 22 and some hard running by Matt Johnson, Phil Fernie, Pete Arnorld gave a platform for the back to spread the ball. Adam porter at 10 took the ball to the line and offloaded to Tommy McCollin who broke the first tackle the offloaded to put Pat Kirk in space, some great play in fixing the oncoming defender and passing to speedster George Osbourne allowed him to streak away from his own half and touch down under the posts. 7-0 Heathens. From the kick off, Matt Johnson claimed the ball and smashed into the oncoming Swifts. good work at the breakdown again gave platform to go wide, this time Mike Reynolds picked up and threw an audacious dummy to go through and score from distance. More pressure from Swifts kept Heathens pinned in their 22 and pressure finally told when Swifts hacked the ball through and managed to touch down under the posts. The muddy conditions made it hard for either side to gain purchase and handling errors were rife. Heathens dominance in the scrum was plain to see, driving Swifts off the ball at will and another break by McCollin released Kirk to link with Osbourne again for his second try. Swifts crossed twice more before half time but this was the last time they would trouble the scoreboard. The Heathens Started the second half the way they finished the first, showing control and earning the right to go wide. Thos tactic worked and Heathens crossed the line again with Jason King, Lewis Medlow, Osbourn again and someone else (its late and I've been drinking). Mike Reynolds was instrumental in line out all day losing only 1, and that was their ball. Fernie as always talked throughout(nobody actually know what he's on about but there are few that play the game with as much intensity as him) Man of the match was hard this week as it was as close to a perfect team perfomance as the Heathens have shown this season. Everyone played for each other and were awesome. This said however, Man of the Match this week is awarded to Mark Ballard who, travelled as the medic and ended up playing 78 minutes at prop. never once showing weakness and destroying his opposite number.

well done lads, rest up, eat and be merry over the Christmas period and ready yourselves for the new year!!!!!!!