Heathfield and Waldron RFC U13's vs. Crawley RFC U12/13's
Sunday 3rd October 2021

Crawley Under 12's and 13's were invited for a friendly opening match of the season at Heathfield & Waldron RFC on Sunday. The first half was for the less experienced players to have a half of a game to gain match experience. Our younger and less experienced boys combined with some of our more experienced players to create a team of 12 players for the first half. It was incredibly exciting for the boys and the watching parents also.

The first half was a frantic game with both sides finding space and scoring tries. More importantly was the elation on the faces of some of our less experienced players involved in their first ever full contact competitive experience.
The second half was quite different in that both Clubs sent out their 12 best players to start the half. Both teams demonstrated full commitment to the game albeit a well refereed friendly and both sides had some success in finding the spaces and gaining territory. Ultimately, it was an excellent contest with both teams entertaining the interested parties supporting each club. Three tries were scored by each side with Heathfield and Waldron scoring first in the second half and also in the dieing seconds of the game to provide as draw as the final score.

We as the coaches, Manager and parents were incredibly proud of the way our boys played and conducted themselves in an excellent friendly opener to the competitive season against a club who have ambition and high expectations for their own season. Well done to all of our players who served Crawley RFC with pride, determination and The TREDS throughout!

By Tony Padfield, U12's Coach