Ladies gain important away win in Kent

Cranbrook Ladies 10 Heathfield Ladies 26

Heathfield Ladies eventually overcame tough Cranbrook opposition by four tries to two on a day when the visitors’ skill and pace out wide were the decisive factor. Lovely conditions and a fine playing surface probably suited the visitors more than the home side who in due course will be able to play to their strength on wet and muddy pitches. Today the rapier defeated the bludgeon.
There is a long history of good contests between these two clubs and this was emphasised by the excellent lunch after the game attended by many home supporters and some Heathfield VPs. Some of the latter were remembering Kent v Sussex battles from previous years - although by the time I left those memories were becoming even more blurred.
The early period was disjointed and messy with the scrum being very unstable and taking numerous resets along with a couple of injuries. However Cranbrook gradually started to build some pressure into the left hand corner. With the benefit of hindsight this was a critical point in the game as a score for the home team at this stage could have changed the balance of the contest. Instead Heathfield just survived the onslaught of the first ten minutes and started to play their way upfield. In particular the ball was now moved wide left and Emily Sowell made the first of her important contributions up the left wing taking the play into the home half.
The first score came at the end of the first quarter as advantage was allowed (credit to sympathetic refereeing) from a Cranbrook knock on and good hands moved the ball left for Sowell to run a killing line which took her under the posts, safely converted by Carla Monson (0-7).
Most of the rest of the half was played in the home half as the home forwards tried to work their way upfield but were generally contained by some sturdy defensive work with skipper Becky Taylor leading by example with any number of tackles against the sizeable home pack. The visitors’ backs continued to look dangerous with Ellie Duley making one eye-catching run that was only stopped by the first of a number of brave tackles by the home full back
Then in the last play of the half Heathfield turned over a home lineout on the left hand side and moved the ball wide to Jo Clement on the right wing who provided a mirror image to Sowell’s try by stepping inside the wide cover and heading under the posts (0-14).
The second half started in a similar manner to the first with an extended period of Cranbrook pressure on the visitors’ try line. However this time their efforts were rewarded by a try in the right hand corner, albeit not converted (5-14). Cranbrook continued to press, mainly through the forwards but Heathfield were always looking for the counter in open play. This duly paid off as the ball was repeatedly worked wide and on two occasions Sowell was able to break through the stretched defence for her hat trick of tries on the day.
To their credit Cranbrook refused to buckle and had an extended period of pressure in the visitors’ 22. One area of concern for the Heathfield coaches is the lack of a decent kicker out of hand so they were compelled to run tap penalties even under their own posts. Eventually the home forward power was rewarded with another try in the right hand corner to complete the scoring.
During the second half all four Heathfield subs made useful contributions with Sophia Skinner getting particular mention from the coaches for her efforts. Four Heathfield players were having their first competitive game: all did well and they will have learnt much from the experience as well as hopefully enjoying the occasion.
Afterwards the coaches emphasised the overall team performance but included mentions for Abi Tappenden carrying and lineout work, Molly Powderly with some useful carries, Monson with a typical but nonetheless impressive combative performance, Hannah Osborne, and Duley when she moved to full back, with some important defensive work. The scrummage and especially the front row get credit for containing the significantly larger home unit.
In their previous game Heathfield had played against a higher level of opposition than is intended for this league: this week they continued the same level of performance and were duly rewarded so they can look forward to a competitive and enjoyable league campaign.
Next Sunday Heathfield visit New Ash Green, the first time that any Heathfield team has played there (21 Oct 14.00).

Team
1. Molly Powderly 2. Abi Tappenden 3. Saskia Sullivan 4. Amber Lovick 5. Carly Harris 6. Katie Statham 7. Becky Taylor (c) 8. Becky Farrant 9. Carla Monson 10. Georgia Hutchison 11. Emily Sowell 12. Keeleigh Harman 13. Ellie Duley 14. Joanne Clement 15. Hannah Osbourne
Subs 16. Alex Young 17. Nicky Charter 18. Izzy Bowler 19. Sophia Skinner