Heathfield 22 Old Alleynians 34
The league leaders Old Alleynians (OA) duly claimed a deserved bonus point win over Heathfield to keep them at the top of the RFU Counties 1 Kent league table.
On a claggy pitch with little wind the visitors had first use of the slight slope. OAs had seven changes in their starting fifteen from their convincing win last week against previously unbeaten league challengers Cranbrook but, in spite of a late arrival because of traffic issues on the M25, still started as though they had been playing as a unit all season. By contrast, afterwards several home players commented that their team had started slowly.
OAs immediately started to play some decent rugby with good handling across the pitch and it took an interception by Toby Simpson to deny one dangerous attack. However after seven minutes good hands produced a try for visitors on the right hand side.
As the game settled down Heathfield were competing well with scrum half Ben Irwin making a cheeky steal off the base of the scrum and skipper Gus Taylor making a hard-earned turnover at the breakdown. However injuries started to affect the home team with Will Chambers and Dan Bird having to retire with injury, replaced by Jack Ruddock and George Hayter.
Most of the game was in the home half and at the end of the first quarter the OAs collected their next try as repeated phases were mostly held by some decent home defence but eventually the quality of handling outran the cover for a try on the right hand side.
This seemed to stir Heathfield into life and they had much the best of the next period. A slightly confused period of play (well it confused me) ended with a dropout from under the visitors’ posts. The kick went directly into touch so Heathfield had an attacking 5m scrum. From that the ball was moved left and Archie Adam continued his burgeoning season with a good finish in the left hand corner.
However OAs replied almost immediately when a penalty gave them good field position in the left hand corner and a clinical lineout catch and drive produced another seven points.
The game was being fiercely and generally well contested but the visitors’ 7 was now binned for a dangerous tackle. In spite of this handicap OAs ended the half with another routine lineout catch and drive try, one of three tries collected by their hooker Charles Thompson.
The half time score of 5-26 was a fair reflection of the game thus far. The scrummage was generally even but the home lineout had a poor day mainly though the efforts of the OAs second row Ben Osuntokun who was probably the outstanding player for both sides on the day with contributions in all phases.
Heathfield did start the second half brightly and rare good lineout possession was worked through a couple of phases before Sam Crichton finished well through several defenders, converted by Toby Simpson. It was a reflection of Heathfield’s limited possession that Crichton rarely carried the ball. OAs now paid Heathfield the compliment of taking three points at a penalty rather than going for the corner (12-29).
Heathfield now benefitted from another finely judged kick by Simpson to secure an attacking lineout from the 50-22 law but the lineout again misfired. Jack Brown was now replaced by Ollie Batchelor who, after his match changing performance last week, could only manage one interception this time.
Entering the final quarter fly half Sean Crozier showed some fine skill with a chip through and then recovered the ball for a special solo try under the posts, converted by Simpson. Crozier also did some sterling defensive work with brave tackles.
Another try would have given Heathfield at least a try bonus point and a Simpson penalty reduced the visitors lead to just 7 points so at least a losing bonus point was possible. At this point they were playing with a conviction that had not been apparent initially in the first half.
However OAs are an efficient and resilient side and they duly closed out the game with another lineout catch and drive. Heathfield chased the game in the last few minutes but passes were forced and errors inevitably arrived.
Apart from Osuntokun and Thompson, the visitors also enjoyed an impressive performance by their fly half South African Andrew Jones-Davies who was making his first appearance for the club at any level. Heathfield invest huge amounts of time and resource in coaching generations of youngsters who then b…..r off to University and never play for the club again. While the big London clubs enjoy walk-ins of the quality of Jones-Davies. Life’s not fair, move on!
This game had the feel of a decent SE3 side playing a mid-table SE2 team – to use last seasons’ league descriptions. It is a measure of Heathfield’s progress this season that the game was so competitive but there is clearly room for improvement.
Heathfield will take considerable pleasure from the win by the Heathfield Rangers 22-7 over East Grinstead 2s. Reportedly veteran Kevin Parker scored his first try for Heathfield – but I don’t believe everything I’m told in the clubhouse after a game.
After a week’s rest Heathfield next visit old rivals Bromley who look like the only side to have a realistic challenge to the league title against OAs. Games against Bromley are always tense and hard-fought so Heathfield will need to be at the top of their game ((26 Nov 2.30).