Old Dunstonians 25 Heathfield 3
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Heathfield eventually lost a close game to Old Dunstonians with the home team scoring two late tries to decide the contest.
Heathfield chose to play down the slope initially with the possibly difficult sun over their left shoulders in otherwise immaculate conditions. After some early frenetic exchanges with play flowing all over the pitch an early pattern became apparent as the home forwards made good ground from repeated drives and after ten minutes this produced quick ruck ball with which they capitalised on the extra man wide on their left flank for the opening score (5-0).
However Heathfield were very much in the game and Bryn Jones was making good ground with kicking out of hand. This season so far the lineout has been a secure source of possession for Heathfield but on this occasion they were often disrupted by the impressive home middle jumper. Steve Petersen started at number 8 for a change and was a worthy man-of-the-match with a noteworthy game in all phases.
Jo Wood had one long range penalty attempt drift wide but otherwise Heathfield had some decent possession without establishing consistent pressure on the home try line.
After a move broke down near half way from which Old D’s were awarded a penalty, Jones was sin binned for interfering with the player taking the tap. The decision was absolutely correct and it should be noted that the referee was generally considered to have had a decent game. Nonetheless it does not help that a similar incident in Heathfield’s previous match involving an opposing player in the red zone did not attract a similar sanction.
In the event Old D’s failed to capitalise on the extra man with their kicker now missing one straightforward chance and generally having a day to forget.
The second half started with a period of Heathfield dominance as the pack drove forward. This soon produced a reward with a Wood penalty and the game was clearly in the balance (5-3).
Good positional kicking was giving the home team positions from which to attack and with an effective lineout, they were able to build pressure on the visitors. As the game entered the final quarter this resulted in a period of play near the Heathfield try line and the home fly half took the brave decision to go on his own from a tap penalty and burrowed under tacklers for a critical score, again not converted (10-3).
A few minutes later a penalty (by a different kicker) took the home team into a ten point lead, thus potentially denying Heathfield a losing bonus point (13-3). Heathfield were focussed on finding a score to restore the bonus point but the home team were equally interested in bonus points and duly scored two tries in the last few minutes.
At the scrummage the mature home front row had been under pressure which increased during the game and now Heathfield turned over two successive scrums. However Old D’s then did manage to secure one decent scrummage and a blindside move gave them a well taken try (18-3). Heathfield now attempted to run out of defence but pressure resulted in a turnover and the home right winger, who had looked dangerous all game, collected a chip ahead for a simple but deserved try (25-3).
Heathfield’s next league game (28 Jan 2.15) is at home to Lewes, who they beat earlier in the season.