Misplaced hospitality costs Heathfield

Heathfield 10 Warlingham 20
Heathfield lost this game that they could and should have won. Hospitality is a fine thing but Heathfield took it too far by donating ten points in the opening minutes and eventually lost by the same margin. On a day of continuous rain the Cypress field remained a superb playing surface and allowed some decent quality rugby although a number of individuals made more handling errors than they will want to be reminded about.
From the kick off Heathfield contrived a series of grotesque actions which ended with the ball rolling free for a visiting player to stroll up to collect the ball two yards out and touch down for an unopposed try duly converted by their kicker (0-7). This was soon compounded by two more penalties in the home half and Warlingham duly took advantage (0-13).
The visitors had the wind advantage in the first half but did not manage to benefit much thereby. In fact Heathfield worked their way into the visitors’ half and a well-executed catch-and-drive eventually allowed ‘Munch’ May to touch down for his first try for the club at this level (5-13).
Heathfield continued to press against the wind and a good position in the corner led to Kobe Tonkin almost working his way over but he had to pass to Matt Finney who was then knocked into touch just short of the corner flag.
Heathfield had a period of possession and position at this stage and would have been looking to the break with a degree of optimism. However on the stroke of half time a Warlingham breakout capitalised on confusion in the otherwise secure home defence and a try under the posts resulted (5-20). Warlingham have some pacy and talented backs who can take advantage of any opponent weaknesses.
Nonetheless a gap of fifteen points did not look beyond reach given Heathfield’s benefit of the elements in the second half.
Finney had made his welcome first start since returning from injury but he was replaced by Ollie Smith who soon made a distinctly positive impact in both tight and loose.
Jamie Walsh moved to scrum half, his preferred position, as Heathfield looked to manage the majority possession that they enjoyed. The scrummage was more stable in this half and the lineout generally worked well. However the Heathfield lineout team later commented that this was the best opposition lineout unit that they had faced this season with one replacement making some extraordinary leaps to deny David Yates who otherwise had another excellent all-round day.
Warlingham will take much pleasure in their defensive performance in this half as they were under almost continuous pressure. Heathfield managed one try when they ruined a visiting scrum and Bruce Pestell pounced on the loose ball (10-20). This was worthy reward for a hard day’s work in difficult conditions. Chris Elliott was convinced he had touched down but the decision went against him. Similarly Tom Sheffield thought he was in the clear a few yards out following up a hack ahead but was ruled offside. Any number of other passes went to ground on a difficult day for handling.
Warlingham did manage a couple of late visits to the home half but most of the play concerned Heathfield’s unsuccessful attempts to collect at least a losing bonus point as the light rapidly faded.
Next Saturday (1 Dec 1.45pm) Heathfield are due to play Pulborough at home in a Sussex Bob Rogers Cup match. The next league game is the following Saturday (8 Dec 2.15) when Heathfield visit Lewes.