Heathfield just lost this very well contested Championship 2 contest between the sides sitting third and fourth in the table. Alleynians deservedly took the spoils while Heathfield will rue the multiple missed chances.
Conditions were decent for early March. There was no significant wind and the surface was mostly dry but claggy which made running hard work.
In the earlier fixture between these two sides, Alleynians had out-muscled Heathfield but the home side learnt from that occasion and since then have certainly fronted up. Neither side dominated the breakdown today. Early on Heathfield looked to have a distinct edge in the scrum, starting to drive forward. However Steph Chipps had to retire with a painful injury and Heathfield started to attract penalties for their scrummaging. It was decided that they would just secure their own ball without driving on, and thus hope to avoid further sanction. However this did negate one area where they could have had a significant advantage.
Most of the game was in the midfield with neither side in control. Heathfield probably had the better of the opening phases but gradually the visitors came more into the game. There were a couple of extended periods of play which will have stretched the fitness of all involved but the defences generally did their job. It was afterwards commented by some that the visitors’ kicking was more effective while the Heathfield kicks just fed the dangerous opposition runners.
After 25 minutes Alleynians knocked over a straightforward penalty. Soon afterwards a long range attempt by them didn’t threaten the posts. Then more Alleynian pressure into the left hand corner was finally rewarded as they worked their over in the left hand corner.
This stung Heathfield into action and soon afterwards they surged into the bottom left hand corner. A tap penalty was worked through a couple of breakdowns until Georgia Reed-Davies boshed her way over for an important try.
The halftime score of 5-8 was a fair reflection of a close contest although Heathfield had had the benefit of the slight slope. The set piece was even with lineouts generally being secured and Heathfield choosing not to tempt fate in the scrum.
Heathfield started the second half brightly and at times played some nice stuff. Laura McGee and Sophia Skinner linked nicely into the visitors’ 22 but the defence did just enough. This was the start of a period of pressure on the visitors’ try line culminating in a tapped free kick 5m out. Not for the first time this season the moment was ruined by a failure to tap the ball – doh! Heathfield were just starting to rebuild pressure on the try line when the ball was intercepted in the centre. It took a remarkable tackle back by Megan Plane in the bottom corner to prevent a score. Plane had a busy and generally effective day against quality opposition half backs.
Nevertheless Heathfield gradually worked their way back up the slope, assisted by an increasing penalty count against the visitors. In due course Reed-Davies was again able to charge over from short range and Plane added the conversion.
Entering the last quarter the lead changed again as Alleynians won some quick ball at the breakdown and then one of their strong runners charged through some less than optimal tackling for what can be seen as the decisive score under the posts, naturally converted (12-15).
With plenty of time left and just a three point gap the game was still there for the taking. The penalty count was 5-10 against the visitors in the second half which reflects the balance of play in this period – although no card resulted.
Amber Lovick made one stomping run through multiple tackles which helped keep pressure on the visitors. However the story of this period is one of missed opportunities by Heathfield. An attacking lineout in the left hand corner was botched. Then on two occasions quick ball was worked wide only for runners to drift and the final pass to be fumbled.
With barely five minutes left a rare visitors visit to the home 22 resulted in a straightforward penalty chance which was duly accepted. Needing a converted try to snatch the win, Heathfield returned to hammer away on the visitors’ try line but eventually the ball was spilled forward and the final whistle went.
The Alleynians coach was naturally pleased with the result, and probably a little relieved. He picked out one of their second row (I think it was Hannah Beck – apologies if I have the wrong name) and their half backs who controlled the game well.
For Heathfield this was a chance missed. Apart from those mentioned above I also picked out Lib Lawrence, Chip Chippett, Lauren Duly and inevitably Carol Saunders. Happily the Heathfield Harriers continued their successful campaign in NC3 with a 36-0 win over Littlehampton Ladies. A thriving second team is essential to the success of the first team.
After a couple of weeks off Heathfield next entertain Hammersmith & Fulham on 29 March.