Close first half. Two Burbage tries just before halftime (one a penalty try) proved the turning point, and injuries to Tim Sly and Mark Allen didn't help.
AEI's squad rotation system was tested to the full due to the wedding of former captain Mark McDonough thoughtlessly being held on a Saturday during the season! Despite this, an eventful journey to the match and a scorchingly hot day, AEI produced a very creditable performance. Heathens were first on the scoresheet following some sloppy AEI defence, but AEI were soon back in the game when Andy Makepeace broke through two tackles on halfway and raced through to score in the corner. Heathens replied with another try before a typical piece of Tim Sly magic released Makepeace to score his second.
The second half saw the AEI pack maintain their dominance in both the scrums and, more surprisingly, the lineouts, but somewhat against the run of play Heathens scored again and added the all important conversion. With ten minutes to go, some deft handling by Paul Eaton eventually released Andy Makepeace who completed his hat-trick in style. AEI finished with that elusive scent of victory in their nostrils but in the end failed to convert pressure into points.
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