Heathfield are still the only unbeaten side in their league and the arrival of Folkestone at Cross in hand on Saturday provided them with the incentive to play some of their best rugby of this campaign. The game was played at pace and in the best spirits of the game. Heathfield prevailed in this encounter because they were stronger up front and especially in the all important breakdown area. They were well served by their pack who dominated set pieces and turnover situations. While Bruce Pestell and Simon Wilson in the back row had excellent all round games it is pleasing to report that two young players, both new to the 1stXV this season also had a strong influence on Heathfield`s victory. Tight head prop Ollie Smith had a good game in the tight and carried well in open play while Sam Goatcher was a good link at fly half and produced place kicking of the highest order to ensure that the home side won by a handsome margin.
From the start of the game Heathfield carried deep into their opponents half and were rewarded with an early try by full back Sam Thewlis cutting into the line to cross half way between the posts and the touchline. Sam Goatcher converted. Almost immediately the Folkestone Full back who impressed until having to go off injured in the second half put in a strong run from within his own half running through some poor Heathfield tackling. The home side quelled the danger but conceded a penalty which reduced Heathfield`s lead to four points. Goatcher restored the lead to seven points with a well struck penalty from near half way and then the Greenies enjoyed a good spell of running rugby from backs and forwards which ended with prop Ollie Smith crossing the try line. Unfortunately the referee was unsighted and could not award the try. It did not matter because from the resulting scrum the home eight drove powerfully for Simon Wilson to claim the pushover try. Shortly after this try the ever present Wilson was the grateful recipient of a loose pass by one of the Folkestone backs to intercept for a simple run in. The score at half time was 20 points to three.
Heathfield showed no sign of letting up when the second half began and Goatcher continued to kick well converting a penalty after 15 minutes. With a good supply of ball from their forwards Heathfield kept their opponents on the back foot with Damien Pestell making inroads in the centre in attempts to create space for the speed merchants outside him. Folkestone defended bravely and never gave up. After a sustained period of pressure on Heathfield`s line they scored a good try. The conversion was missed and soon after the restart Heathfield scored a final try through the individual speed and determination of their outside centre Seb Jones who burst clear from just inside his own half and beat all the cover offered by Folkestone to cross in the corner. It was a fine effort by the ever improving Jones and Goatcher capped it by converting from the touchline. The final score was 30-8 in Heathfield`s favour. This match was a delight to watch which was a credit to the players and coaches of both clubs and to a referee who controlled the game well and gained the respect of both players and spectators.
1st XV | Latest News
11/10/2009 8:35:19 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00) 
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