With half the league programme now completed Heathfield remain unbeaten at the top of the table with a four point cushion over their nearest rivals. That proud record was severely threatened at Cross-In-Hand when Charlton Park provided the sternest test yet. Their large pack continually pressured the lighter green eight and it took a performance by the whole team of complete commitment and bloody-minded determination not to lose for the home team to survive and then deliver the decisive blow right at the end of the game.
The pitch was soggy but playable and this probably favoured the visitors more. As usual recently Heathfield started well, going through several phases and looking the settled side that they are. However the Park pack gradually came into the game, using their big men to run at the home defence. They also successfully upset much Heathfield ball and thus nullified the home backs who looked to have a distinct edge on the few occasions when they did have possession. The visiting scrum half was very effective around the scrum and their number seven seemed to be on or over the offside line the whole game – a sign of a good flanker as the ref rarely penalised him.
Most of the game consisted of the two packs hammering away at each other and the brisk chilly wind meant that handling was difficult for the backs when they did finally receive the ball.
Chris Watton pulled up with a leg injury and so veteran Jim Davies came on for rather more of the game than he had expected.
Just before half time the visitors were penalised at the breakdown and some incautious backchat resulted in them being marched back ten metres. This put the posts in range for Sam Goatcher and he duly landed the first points (3-0).
The second half followed a similar pattern and Heathfield rarely escaped from their own half. Goatcher did have one long range shot at another penalty but was just short. The visitors’ pack was using the driving maul very effectively and on one occasion this was only stopped illegally by the home team although their kicker missed the resulting penalty attempt. However he was successful a few minutes later with an impressive kick from the ten metre line, albeit with the assistance of the strengthening wind (3-3).
Bruce Pestell had been having a fine all round game including some useful lineout catches but an exceedingly bloody nose meant that he had to be replaced by Ollie Smith. As a welcome relief from the forward battle Matt Skinner demonstrated his class with a fine touchline run but the cover defence stifled the attack.
Then with just a few minutes remaining Heathfield managed to reach the opposition twenty two and were pressing for the deciding score. Unfortunately they conceded a penalty and the chance looked to be gone. However a Park player chose to tap and go when a clearance kick would have seemed more appropriate. Heathfield managed to turn him over and quick hands moved the ball to Seb Jones in the centre. With men outside him holding the defence he ran a lovely line at pace to touch down for the winning try duly converted by Goatcher (10-3).
On Saturday 19th December Heathfield entertain Hastings 2.15 kickoff.
1st XV | Latest News
12/12/2009 5:34:54 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00) 
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