Heathfield 32 Folkestone 15
Pics from Roger Cuming
Heathfield eventually collected a bonus point win over old rivals Folkestone but had to overcome a slow start and early ten point deficit.
Folkestone have been hard hit by injuries this year as is reflected in their lowly league position and had numerous changes from their team last week with some second team and youngsters stepping up to the 1st team challenge. As a team they can take considerable pride in their performance and they would appear to have enviable depth of player resource which should see them through what is a difficult season.
Indeed after five minutes Folkestone were leading by 10 points to nil and they were clearly well up for the contest. First a simple penalty chance was gratefully slotted. Heathfield charged back and had an attacking scrum in the top corner by the balcony. The ball was moved wide left but some predictable passing left an easy interception opportunity for the visitors’ experienced full back Andrew Fell who then had the pace to run the length of the pitch (0-10).
After this unfortunate start Heathfield started to build some decent phases. Head Coach Dave Cook felt that it took his side the first quarter to adjust to the various personnel and positional changes from last week. A period of pressure again in the top corner nearly produced a score but Regan Law dropped the ball as he reached for the line. The coaches felt that more patient development of phases would been appropriate before going for the line. Nonetheless Law had a very decent all round game in lineout and loose.
At the end of the first quarter Heathfield pressure was finally rewarded with a Toby Simpson penalty. Most of the rest of the half was in the visitors’ territory but it was not until the last few minutes that any more points were collected. First a characteristic Tom Cornwall carry set up a good position on the left hand side and quick ruck ball was worked wide right to Simpson who had plenty of work to do to finish well in the corner.
Then in the last play of the half secure lineout ball was worked right and again reached Simpson who this time chose to chip through and successfully follow up to claim the touch down. (13-10)
With the slight slope to come in their favour Heathfield will have been optimistic of securing a result from this position. The set piece was generally working well. The scrummage was under a little pressure but own ball was always secured and all three of the front row were picked out for particular praise afterwards. Stand-in skipper Dan Bird had some useful carries while Reece Webb was noted with some good defensive work on this remarkably quick return from injury. Ollie Tooke continues to deal with much larger props with aplomb as well as good work in the loose. The home lineout unit had an excellent day with Jem MacVicker and Law both doing well.
Heathfield had an early set back in the second half when MacVicker was binned for a high tackle. It was certainly a strong tackle and in this situation the referee has a difficult call without the benefit of TMO/video assistance. However Heathfield shrugged off the imbalance in numbers as good lineout ball was moved wide and Archie Adam finished well in the left hand corner.
Folkestone were in no way daunted and decent handling gave them a good try in the top corner under the home balcony (20-15) so the outcome still looked to be in doubt.
Dion Comerford now had to retire with a sore hamstring and his replacement Liam Dunkley almost immediately had a decent run down the left flank. With fifteen minutes remaining good lineout ball was moved wide and Adam collected his second try on the day and the try bonus point. Adam’s rumbustious physical approach and good pace make him a handful for defences.
Replacement Jeyden Rainbow was now binned along with a visitor three quarter for some apparently innocuous handbags. The game was generally played with good spirit and no stupidity apart from a couple of unnecessary high tackles.
Heathfield nearly collected another try in the bottom corner but Simpson’s would-be scoring pass to Ollie Batchelor was harshly adjudged forward. However in the last play of the game a Heathfield scrum 5m out from the visitors’ line provided possession for scrum half Jack Brown who had a couple of tigerish attempts at the try line before the ball was made available to Dylan Eames who powered over under the posts. Simpson blotted his otherwise fine day with a botched drop kick conversion.
Amongst other good performances Lucas Cuming had some useful runs while Max Redman always looked dangerous but could never quite escape the visitors’ defensive clutches.
Folkestone later departed (in assorted fancy dress) with no league points but considerable credit on the day. The reverse fixture in January should be a good contest.
Apart from unbeaten leaders Cranbrook, the top of the league table is very congested with the next six clubs within a six point band and Deal just a further four points away. Heathfield’s next four games are all against teams in this group so these games will have a big impact on the eventual table.
Heathfield Rangers 41 Uckfield II 0 was also a score line on the day that produced many smiles in the home club house.
Next Saturday on bonfire night Heathfield make the long journey to the East Kent coast when they visit Deal who are always tough opposition, especially at home. The team will travel by coach and a few seats are available for supporters. (5 Nov 2.30)