Pulborough Ladies 0 Heathfield Ladies 22
Heathfield collected a decisive win in this National Challenge 1 league match by four tries to nil over a Pulborough side who were just above them in the table before the game.
This had looked a difficult fixture with talismanic skipper Carol Saunders away on international duty and several drop outs overnight so some of the Harriers were called up and all did well.
Conditions were pretty miserable during the so-called warmup with squally rain on a chill day. In the event the rain gradually eased and the second half was completely dry. The pitch had a fair covering of tufty grass along with the inevitable muddy patches. Handling was never straightforward with a greasy ball and consequently there were many scrummages.
From the start Heathfield asserted their physicality and this was the dominant theme on the day which secured the result. After the game the referee picked out the two fly halves for their performances. The difference being that Heathfield had a number of other strong performers besides Maya Champion while Lauren McInerney for Pulborough was their only standout player.
The early exchanges set the tone for the day as Heathfield set up camp in the home half with strong carries by Clare Baker and Velvet Turner which they continued throughout the game. With 10 minutes gone a 5 metre scrummage allowed Georgia Reed-Davies to pick up at the base and boshed way through a couple of tackles to touch down under the posts. Champion duly converted.
Pulborough briefly surged back into the right hand corner through a couple of Heathfield penalties but possession was turned over and Heathfield worked their way back down the field. At one point Amber Lovick broke through some tackles and was charging towards the home 22 as the cover tacklers converged. It is questionable whether Becky Taylor’s encouraging push in Lovick’s back helped or hindered but the end result was a good position in the home 22.
With 15 minutes left in the half, in a messy period of play (my way of saying I didn’t note what happened) Jas Lewis claimed a try from broken play. (0-12)
Pulborough now had one of their best periods of play with extended phases in the visitors’ half, helped to a significant extent by a rising penalty count against Heathfield. The coaches will take pleasure from the way that the Heathfield defence kept its shape and eventually turned over possession.
Indeed Heathfield ended the half with some more pressure on the home try line with Steph Chipps being held up over the line.
The set piece was generally even and Heathfield will have been pleased with the scrummage in particular which looked very solid. Hannah Wood did much good work albeit giving away some penalties while Hannah Overy was especially noted for doing the full 80 minutes.
Champion was enjoying the majority possession that her pack was providing and her astute tactical kicking kept her side on the front foot.
The second half started with a period of fluctuating play at both ends and this was now a good contest. Pulborough needed a score if they were to come back into the game but after 15 minutes Heathfield collected the decisive score. After several phases creeping closer to the left hand corner Turner worked her way over in a heap of bodies.
Although it looked as though some Pulborough heads were dropping at this point, to their credit they charged back into the visitors’ territory and in a messy situation in the right hand corner Lewis was binned for malpractice at the breakdown. This was not surprising as the referee had warned that a card was coming towards the end of the first half when the Heathfield penalty count was rising.
However Pulborough were unable to benefit from the extra person reflecting more credit on the Heathfield defence. Coach Dan Suggitt was making full use of his bench at this stage and all were able to contribute.
With 15 minutes remaining Heathfield collected the final score in a similar manner to some of the earlier ones as replacement Britt Mole exploited a tap penalty at short range and twisted her way over the line.
The game was still being well contested but neither side really achieved much penetration. The game ended with a trademark Taylor tackle to snuff out a last home attack.
Afterwards the Heathfield coaches struggled to identify any one particular performer and they took especial pleasure in the way that a number of players had stepped up in the absence of some bigger names. Nonetheless it was agreed that Lovick, Reed-Davies, Baker, Turner and Taylor all had big games and that they had provided the impetus to carry their side forward.
Heathfield are now level on league points with Pulborough but are behind them based on points difference. We are not yet half way through the league season so nothing has been determined.
Next week Heathfield entertain Tonbridge Juddians (10 Dec 2.00)