Haywards Heath got a taste of how the Aussies must have felt as they suffered late defeat at Whitemans Green.

Centre James Mackie scored the try which seemed to have given Heath a notable home win in National Three South.

The New Zealander was sent crashing over at the posts from Jon Graham's pass to open a 14-11 lead over high-flying Launceston with seven minutes to go at wet Whitemans Green.

Launceston, however used their favoured ploy - not a drop goal but a rolling maul from a lineout - to salvage the win.

No. 8 Mike Heynes got the score, his second try of the contest, with Simon Porter adding the conversion.

Heynes' first try, also from a lineout, and a Porter penalty edged Launceston 8-0 up playing into a stiff wind.

Heath, though, had plenty of territorial advantage and went ahead with a trio of Huw Griffin penalties.

Porter replied after 55 minutes to make it 11-9 to the visitors, but Heath gave as good as they got.

Mackie almost created a try for Adam Phillips with a clever tactical kick before diving over himself. Griffin failed to convert but it did not prove crucial in the end.