Uckfield run out of steam

Uckfield started brightly, making good yards, with Ridley, Harle and Hill putting pressure on Horsham from the first minute.

That pressure paid off as Uckfield ran in the first try on 15 minutes. They won a lineout and then produced a clever worked move from the backs which spread the ball wide behind the centres to full back Douse, who fed winger Chappell to score in the corner.

The lead lasted only five minutes as Horsham hit back, breaking down the left wing and then scoring under the posts. The try was converted for 5-7. It was made worse as Uckfield also lost influential No.8 Matt Ridley to injury and he was replaced by the young Matt Logan.

However, Uckfield hit back with a period of good ball retention in the Horsham half which resulted in the visitors conceding a penalty. Douse stepped up to convert.

Uckfield were soon rewarded again as via a quick lineout in the Horsham 22 Whitmarsh passed short to Funnel and Harle broke through to scramble over the line for 13-7.

Uckfield took their foot off the gas near half-time and allowed Horsham to go into the break 14-13 ahead.

Horsham took control of the second half, winning the majority of the line-outs and pushing the Uckfield pack around at the scrum.

They scored after ten minutes and in the final 20 minutes ran in another four tries as Uckfield struggled to contain them at the breakdown as tackles were missed around the fringes.

Uckfield scored a consolation try with the last move of the match. Good interplay between the backs and forwards allowed Uckfield to spread the ball wide from the right side and quick hands eventually sent it to Harle, who scored his second try of the match.

Tomorrow Uckfield host Pulborough at Hempstead Fields, 2.15pm.

Uckfield: Billings, Whitmarsh, Woods, Funnel, Prescott (Levet 70), Hill, Harle, M Ridley (Logan, 20), Outen, Poole, Chappell, Clark, Cullingford, Damane, Douse (Keogh, 60).