Heathfield 17 Charlton Park 21
Charlton Park somehow scrapped their way to a close and unlikely win in this well-contested RFU Counties 1 Kent league game. Heathfield at least gained a losing bonus point but will be disappointed at losing from a 17-0 lead. But the visitors can take much credit for their character under pressure dealing with late withdrawals, a late arrival due to traffic issues and then being apparently out of the game after half an hour.
Conditions were decent with a generally dry but still claggy pitch and no significant wind. Heathfield played up the slight slope initially and as usual played their better rugby on the day towards the clubhouse.
Park had some early pressure but gradually Heathfield fought their way back with Dylan Eames making an important early turnover at the breakdown. Soon good position was established in the top corner near the balcony but the lineout went wrong and Park cleared their lines.
Heathfield continued on the front foot and then duly worked good ruck ball wide left only for a possible scoring pass to be grassed.
However pressure eventually told just after the quarter hour as Jay Massey-Taylor made good ground before finding Toby Simpson and then Lucas Cuming finished well, converted by Simpson. A few minutes later another Heathfield lineout was at first lost but then recovered and the forwards drove on with Ed Koops crashing over (12-0).
At this stage possession was even but Heathfield were probably having the better of the midfield with Cuming and Harry Reilly being particularly noted with effective tackling. More pressure saw Sean Crozier being just short near the posts before the ball was worked into the top corner and Ben Irwin finished well. (17-0) Irwin had another decent all round game with fine tactical assessment of situations.
Park were far from beaten and Reion Raybe, who has caused Heathfield plenty of grief over the years, was a big part of a move that took them into a good position in the Heathfield 22. The strong Park scrummage was starting to exert increasing pressure and eventually this paid off with a pushover try. (17-7)
In the last minutes of the half another penalty gave Heathfield an attacking lineout but again the throw went wrong and the chance was lost.
At half time this still looked a good position for the home side with the slope to come in their favour. However the set piece issues were to gradually sap away the home side’s apparent dominance.
After ten minutes of the second half, Park were awarded a tap penalty on the home 22 and veteran Terry Dean was quick to grab the ball and charge on while the home players seemed to freeze. Dean was stopped just short but had the strength to work his way over by the posts for a critical score. (17-14)
The game was now very much in the balance and chances were appearing at both ends. Heathfield had one big attack into the visitors’ 22 and the Park scrum half had to kick the ball dead. Rare good Heathfield scrum ball was repeatedly carried forward before it was finally adjudged to have been held up.
Then some more broken play saw George Hayter charging through the midfield with an apparent clear scoring chance but he was called back for crossing.
With about ten minutes remaining a penalty gave Heathfield another good attacking position, this time in the bottom corner, but the chance slipped away.
Then Raybe (inevitably!) ran back a Heathfield kick out of defence very effectively and initiated several phases leading to the decisive score on the left hand side. The conversion left Heathfield needing a try to snatch back a result. They duly charged back with a good move down the left flank but the visitors’ defence just did enough and the final whistle went.
The league table before the game suggested that a Heathfield win was unlikely so they will feel very disappointed to have blown such a clear chance of a result. Park take much credit for the resilience of their squad in adversity and the way they worked their way back into the game.
Heathfield Rangers continued their fine season with a win (17-14) over St Francis who are the only team to have beaten them this season. Heathfield currently top the table and next week they visit Hove who are just behind them with a game in hand.
Next week Heathfield make the long trek by coach to Broadstairs for their game against Thanet Wanderers which will mean an early start from Cross In Hand. (10 Dec 2.00) There will be space on the coach for supporters.