Pulborough Ladies just edged past Heathfield in a well-contested NC1 league match. The result was generally in line with the league table thus far but Heathfield were certainly good value for the two league points earned today.
Heathfield were handicapped just before the game by an injury to inside centre Sophia Skinner during the warm up. Skinner has been having a decent season and her influence in midfield will have been much missed today.
The game was played on the Wilson-Rhodes pitch which generally held up well although it was very soft in many places. Intermittent rain and the muddy surface made for testing conditions which stretched the fitness of all concerned.
Heathfield started poorly as they lost a scrum through an odd bounce – the scrum was solid thereafter – and good hands gave the visitors’ right wing a simple chance for a try under the posts with barely two minutes on the clock.
Heathfield naturally charged back and started to build some decent pressure in the visitors’ half. This was briefly relieved by some brave handling up to half way but Pulborough were soon pinned back into their own 22.
Heathfield were starting to build momentum with strong carries by Georgia Reed-Davies and Steph Chipps in particular so it was entirely appropriate when Chipps looked to have crossed the line before laying the ball back for Reed-Davies to be on hand to touch down.
Entering the second quarter sustained pressure involving useful carries by Reed-Davies, Chipps and Hannah Overy were just repelled but the ball came back for Caitlin Flower to surge over under the posts, duly converted by Megan Baker.
Just when Heathfield looked to be taking control of the game another useful attack faltered as some predictable passing in midfield was easily intercepted by the visitor’s right wing who cantered home for an easy seven points.
Heathfield dominated the rest of the half and it was no surprise when good hands put Phoebe Morgan into the left hand corner. While she was unable to ground the ball, a penalty try was awarded for a high tackle and a yellow card for the offending player. (19-14)
The half ended with more pressure on the visitors’ try line but they were unable to exploit the numerical advantage – and with hindsight that may have been crucial.
At half time the game was much in the balance. The set piece was even but Pulborough would have the advantage of the very slight slope in the second half, with no discernible wind on the day.
Critics of these reports (hard to credit I know but they do exist) claim that I always talk about a slight slope). Nonetheless it is worth pointing out that most of the game today took place at the lower end of the pitch and that just three of the nine tries were scored at the ‘top’ end.
As one of the intermittent rain showers made handling difficult, Heathfield started the second half with a try by Holly Brooks who had already been noted with some useful carries. Now Chip Chippett made a well-judged chip (natch!) through which Brooks neatly regathered to touch down in the left hand corner for the try bonus point.
However Pulborough now started to exert pressure on the home side, aided by a sequence of penalties. Just over ten minutes into the half good handling gave them a decent try on the left hand side and at 24-19 any result looked possible.
Sadie Graham, who had started at inside centre for Pulborough but who moved back to no 8 which is her more normal position, was starting to make some big runs that were hurting the home side.
With fifteen minutes remaining Pulborough used good scrum possession to execute a training ground move for their blind side winger to join in at the right moment and stroll over under the posts.
At 24-26 the game was in the balance but with very few minutes remaining another big run by Graham ended with the decisive try by the visitors (my notes are too sodden for any other details).
The game ended with Heathfield in the visitors’ half but tiredness, conditions and stout Pulborough defence prevented any score.
As well as Reed-Davies and Chipps mentioned above the Heathfield coaches also picked out Chippett for her useful play on the day while Becky Taylor certainly celebrated mothers’ day with a characteristically effective contribution. It was also good to see Velvet Turner making a decent return from injury.
The referee afterwards commented on the improving standard of womens’ rugby. Equally many participants talked positively about the young referee’s quietly effective handling of the game.
Heathfield next week visit Tonbridge Juddians in another NC1 league game (17 Mar 2.00) as a final preparation before their semi-final in the RFU Intermediate Plate in Oxford on 24th March.