Dover 38 Heathfield 12
Dover were the clear and deserved winners of this first SE2 league match of the 2018/19 season by six tries to nil. There were plenty of positives to be taken by Heathfield but this is going to be a tough league and league points not performances are what counts.
Dover had the classiest player on view in their player/coach and fly half Martyn Beaumont and he was the major difference between the two sides. Heathfield were also handicapped by an early injury to Leon Collen whose tackling in the centre could have been influential. Lucas Cuming stepped up from the bench but a rearranged back line struggled to contain Beaumont and his centres who ran some incisive lines.
This report is necessarily limited by my relevant notes going astray at the moment so the exact chronology of events cannot be reported. In the first half Dover scored four tries with three coming mainly from their backs with one solo effort by Beaumont and another major break by him leading to another. The second of the four was a penalty try from a scrum which was highly arguable since Reece Webb, the visitors’ tight head, had ruined his opposite number but it was adjudged that the scrum had been improperly wheeled. Thereafter Heathfield had much the better of this phase with hooker Ollie Stables, prop Felix Godwin and replacement Richard Poole all doing well. Stables also contributed notably in defence and with some carries.
All of the visitors’ pack had decent games. Rob Nitman made a fine first appearance in a competitive game for Heathfield and he will clearly provide an effective physical presence. Tom Tingley was especially good value in the lineout, securing both his own ball and achieving a couple of steals. Skipper Gus Taylor was afterwards declared man of the match for his all-round efforts.
In the second row Ed Koops and veteran Kobe Tonkin were both hard working with Koops looking especially impactful.
However the half time score of 26-12 was a fair reflection of the game with Dover scoring tries and Heathfield being dependent on four well struck penalties by Harry Reilly.
The second half began with probably Heathfield’s best period in the game as they were established in the home half for the first fifteen minutes but the home defence was well organised. A Reilly penalty chance was just short. Eventually Dover broke out and scored a try at the other end.
The game was now decided with the only other score being a final home try near the end. The home number 7 collected two tries during the game but blotted his copybook by being binned late on for some improper behaviour at a breakdown.
Both Heathfield wings were making their debuts at this level. Shamus Smith had a couple of useful runs but was generally contained. The ball never reached Charlie Butler on the other flank in any space. Heathfield will need to use both these talents more in the future.
It can be argued that Dover relaxed once the result was clear. However Heathfield have a considerably changed side this year and they will take much heart from the overall performance. Results elsewhere in the league today, some surprising and notable, suggest that this will be a competitive and entertaining season. Heathfield have some tough early fixtures but as the team settles down results and points should come.
Next Saturday (15 Sep 3.00pm) Heathfield entertain Haywards Heath in the first home game of the season. This will be played at Waldron as the reseeding on the pitch outside the clubhouse is not yet properly established.