Dave Atkin admits school uniforms tend to enter the equation whenever he scores a hat-trick of tries.

The Haywards Heath lock vividly remembers completing a treble as an eight-year-old in Tamworth, then being back in uniform the next day to return to school.

Explanations are less forthcoming as to how, 17 years on, he managed to arrive at a party last Saturday night kitted out as a schoolgirl, just hours after his first triple strike in senior rugby.

But then celebrations were in order all round as Atkin's unlikely scoring feat helped Heath end a five-match losing run and see off Cheshunt 38-21 at Whitemans Green.

After opening the season with three straight wins, skipper Henry Goodburn and his men have been learning some tough lessons about higher division rugby in the last few weeks.

Changes were called for, meaning lock Rick Ure was given his debut for last Saturday's key match and Owen Ashton was named among the replacements.

Ironic then that the scoring honours should go to Ure's partner in the second row and to Ashton, who was recalled on the wing at short notice and piled up 23 points, including a fine try.

Atkin admitted: "I average one try a season so to get three in one day was pretty special.

"The guys did the groundwork and I was lucky enough to get on the end of it.

"I got a few comments off the older boys afterwards. Everybody was chuffed we had done so well. It was a good team performance."

Goodburn did not quite see it like that. He thoroughly enjoyed the tries and was relieved to have won but felt Heath still lacked sparkle and were weak in defence.

The skipper praised the comebacks of Nick Killick and Justin Graham and also had words for the hat-trick hero.

He said: "Dave was hitting rucks and making tackles, then appearing as the last man at the end of moves. You have got to give him credit for that. He played outstandingly well."

It is now two from three for a second row berth, with Dave Virgin also in the frame. Nick Dinsdale is anxious to make a return from injury and Damien Lyall can also play at lock, though his services are more urgently needed as a breakaway.

Atkin added: "We need as many players competing for places as possible. Rick is quite a physical player. He drags you along wth him and vice versa.

"It has been a good experience playing in London One. Last year we had maybe three games which really tested us.

"For the others, we would just be wondering whether we would win by 20, 30 or 40 points.

"This season we are playing against sides who are as fit and as powerful as us."

Ure certainly faces a challenge to step up, having played in Four South East for Heathfield last season, then missed the first two months of the season through injury.

Goodburn believes his new signing is on course. He said: "Rick took a few knocks to the knee, but we were happy with his performance. He is making a big step up."

Heath enjoyed an afternoon off today but face a huge test next Saturday when they visit a Havant side whose three-year plan demands they go back up to the National Leagues this season.

South African Anton Petzer has brought some real class to the centre and is top try scorer in league action with five. Havant's threequarters have scored 14 of their 32 tries to date in London One, so the Heath defending will have to be better than ever.