HEATH DENIED AS HAVANT HOLD ON TO SECURE FINAL SPOT IN EPIC GAME

Team Selection
15 Sam Fletcher 14 Elliott Spiers 13 Jack Malthouse 12 Chris Johnson 11 Callum Harriott-Brown 10 Dan Cole 9 Dom Walsh 1 Paul Turner 2 Alex McFadden 3 Chris Moore 4 Matt Beasty 5 Ferus Marsden 6 Jason Merrie 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Ben Stringer 16 Joe Morrison 17 Saif Boussaada 18 Olly Cook 19 Max Rowntree 20 Eddie Cartwright 21 Elliott Knight 22 Mark Puttick

Scorers
Dan Cole 1 try    Jason Merrie 1 try     Chris Johnson 3 pens 1 con

Report
Heath made the long trip to the south coast to take on Havant in the semi-final of the Papa Johns Cup. Havant had finished runners up in Region 1 South East and were hoping to make home advantage count, with their artificial surface being a big advantage. A large crowd were gathering well before kick off to get prime viewing positions with the Heath faithful mingling with the Havant supporters and having the usual rugby banter. As kick off approached the atmosphere was tense as both teams entered the field to a huge cheer, with Heath led out by Elliott Spiers as a mark of respect following the tragic loss of his mum. 

Heath kicked off punting the ball deep in the Havant half and following early exchanges Havant found touch in the Heath 22, they won line out ball and surged over the line for a converted try, 7-0 with only three minutes played.

Heath responded well and following good work from the forwards were rewarded with a penalty conversion from Chris Johnson 7-3 with nine minutes on the clock.

Havant were struggling to cope and were relieved to touch the ball down following a clever kick from Johnson that held up over the home side try-line. From the drop out, the kick went deep and much to their relief they were awarded a penalty to increase their lead to 10-3. This seemed to inspire Havant as the crowd urged them on and only a superb cover tackle from Callum Harriott-Brown prevented a certain try with twenty minutes played.

Credit to Heath they managed to prevent a further score-mounting another attack and were rewarded with a penalty conversion 10-6. Shortly after another penalty 10-9 with thirty minutes played and it was game on.

It was end to end stuff as both teams battered each other but once again Havant increased their lead 13-9 with yet another penalty. Time for change and on came Olly Cook and Saif Boussaada replacing Matt Beasty and Paul Turner, both had put in superb stints.

Heath were pressing and, from a clever kick through from Dom Walsh, Havant were happy to collect the ball and clear their lines. Heath continued to play patient rugby, going through the phases, but Havant were in no mood to concede and when the half time whistle sounded both teams and sets of supporters were happy to take a break from a breath-taking half. 

It was a case of déjà vu at the start of the second half. Heath received the ball from kick off and returned it with a long punt back. Havant collected and returned the ball high and from a favourable bounce it came back into the hands of the onrushing players to touch down for a converted try, 20-9 with a minute played. Not the best of starts for Heath.

Once again Heath went looking for a reply but yet another clearance kick from Havant hoping to find touch the ball bounced back into play and, with no player covering, Havant scored another converted try 27-9 with fifty minutes on the clock. Havant were moving clear and Heath needed to respond - and quickly, as Joe Morrison came on for Jack Malthouse.

From the re-start Heath went deep and Fergus Marsden managed to collect the ball. Heath now pressed and, when Ben Stringer made solid yardage, the ball came out to Dan Cole who scored in the corner. Chris Johnson just missed the conversion but Heath were back in the game 27-14 with plenty of time left.

An injury to Olly Cook saw Paul Turner return as Heath began to find form and press for another score. Powerful runs from Turner, Harvey Keighley-Payne and Saif Boussaada put the home defence under severe pressure and with the Heath supporters urging their side on and Havant desperate not to concede the ball eventually came along the line for Jason Merrie to go over for a try, converted by Johnson, 27-21 with fifteen minutes to play.

Heath were now playing with much more confidence as they went in search of that elusive score. Merrie made way for Elliott Knight and Sam Fletcher had to leave the field injured replaced by Eddie Cartwright as Havant clung on. Heath continued to pound the home defence but Havant were desperate not to concede and time was ticking. There were numerous drives from the Heath forwards on the Havant try-line but there was no way through and when the whistle sounded to end the game the home crowd erupted and the dream for Heath was over. 

What a game! Heath had done their best to snatch the win but Havant were in no mood to allow them to cross the line and, although it was a disappointing result, Heath, as a club, should be proud.  A brilliant team effort to round off a great season.

Thanks to all the players and coaching staff for creating so many memories to reflect on throughout the summer. Roll on September!!!!!!!!!