Deal 15 Heathfield 19
Heathfield made the long trek home from the East Kent coast on a happy and boisterous coach after claiming a rare and close win in Deal that was based on a strong team performance which is becoming a hall mark of this side.
A simplistic view of this result would be that both sides scored three tries but Heathfield converted two against none by the home kicker. That would do a grave disservice to a full-blooded contest between two well-matched sides with the outcome in doubt till the end. The game also benefited from good game management by the quietly effective referee and a relatively low penalty count.
On a grey murky day marked by occasional squally rain handling was always difficult. The variable wind was mostly across the pitch and not a significant factor.
The early phases were a reflection of the game as a whole with the home scrummage looking threatening while Heathfield’s lineout had one of its best games this season in support of some good handling across the pitch.
After ten minutes Heathfield had a longish penalty chance but it drifted wide. Then Archie Adam had the first of his numerous effective runs leading to a good position in the left hand side. Solid lineout possession was duly worked through phases and inevitably Tom Cornwall claimed the points, converted by Toby Simpson.
At this stage Heathfield were looking threatening and a counter by Ben Irwin led to a good attacking position in the right hand corner. A score looked very possible but perhaps a cross kIck to the other wing was not the best option when a more patient approach would have been appropriate.
Deal duly returned doing what they do very well. Throughout the game their kicking out of hand frequently gave them good field position and approaching the half hour they were able to exploit a strong scrum and barge over for a try, albeit unconverted.
Heathfield now had a seriously good counter into the right hand corner when players on both sides seemingly stopped for the whistle – but it turned out to be from the game on the neighbouring pitch whose referee was making enthusiastic use of a whistle of exactly the same note.
Deal often attacked through big men down the fly half channel and Sean Crozier was noted with some brave tackles as part of a generally good team defensive performance. The half ended with another Heathfield attack with Adam again prominent.
With the scrum under some pressure Heathfield were at least able to rely on a lineout unit which had an excellent day. While Jem MacVicker was the eye-catching performer in this area, Ed Koops was not far behind him and he also made useful carries and solid defensive work.
The second half started with the home side doing what they do very well. Accurate kicking from hand and good set piece produced a good try off an attacking scrum to give them the lead (10-7).
Almost immediately a goal line drop out by Heathfield failed to find touch and Deal efficiently capitalised on the error with another try on the left hand side from the ensuing scrum. Critically both tries were not converted (15-7).
Heathfield Head Coach Dave Cook now started to employ his bench and all three did well as noted below.
With a quarter of the game left Heathfield soon reduced the lead through good handling often from counter attacks initiated by scrum half Irwin from turnover ball. One of these ended with Cornwall collecting his second touch down on the day following good all-team handling (15-12)
With a 3 point difference the game was completely in the balance and play was all over the pitch. A useful Heathfield attack into the left hand corner was turned over and Deal were trying to run out of defence when replacement Oli Batchelor swooped for the interception and dived under the posts, again converted by Simpson, for the what proved to be the decisive score.
Deal naturally charged back and looked threatening into the left hand corner but Batchelor again intercepted, this time on his own 22, and nearly went the length of the pitch before the cover defence hauled him down. In the last few minutes Heathfield finished the stronger but never felt comfortable with the one score difference.
Deal’s strengths on the day were their scrummage and their outstanding positional kicking. Their fly half and full back frequently put their team into good positions through impressively precise line kicks. The home scrummage often had Heathfield under pressure but the introduction of replacements Jack Ruddock and George Hayter had a strong impact against a knarly old front row and in the later stages Heathfield had at least parity if not more in that phase. Skipper Dan Bird (aka Maradonna) also had a decent game in scrum, lineout and loose.
In the last play of the game Irwin took the ball on from the base of an attacking scrum but was adjudged to have knocked on over the line, thus depriving Heathfield of a try bonus point but preserving the home side hard-earned losing bonus point.
The result keeps Heathfield in the top third of the league table but this will be put to the test next week when league leaders Old Alleynians come to visit (12 Nov 2.30)