Heathfield 24 Thanet Wanderers 8
Heathfield eventually secured a bonus point win against Thanet Wanderers but the outcome was unclear until well into the second half.
As well as people being injured or otherwise unavailable, this week a nasty bug has swept through the home squad. Head Coach Dave Cook had 17 squad members unavailable. Even overnight before the game people were calling in sick so the team had plenty of new faces – 10 of the squad of 18 were 21 or less.
Conditions were good for the time of year with some chill wind from the north-east and a dry, firm pitch.
Heathfield had first use of the slight slope and generally had the better of the first half but without ever being convincing. The cold wind will have handicapped handling and indeed there were more handling errors than usual.
Early play was scrappy but one of Heathfield’s debutants Roman Osborne soon caught the eye with some committed work on the ground. Running the ball from deep Sam Williams, making a welcome albeit belated seasonal appearance, made a nice run down the right flank and found Toby Simpson who looked to have a clear chance but his foot grazed the touchline and the chance was gone.
The first score came approaching 15 minutes when Harry Slinnhawkins made a useful run, chipped ahead into the right hand corner, then did well to recover the ball in a messy situation which was then quickly worked wide left and Simpson put Cole Mackenzie in for a fine try.
Thanet soon replied with a penalty and then followed up with their own well-taken try through excellent handling and supporting runners which were a feature of their play throughout the game.
Heathfield were having most possession at this stage with the scrum being noticeably strong for a change this season, earning a couple of penalties. However several attacks went wrong with handling errors out wide when a score looked possible. Williams had another useful run shortly before half time but he was just contained.
At half time Tom Reilly replaced Ben Irwin and took over at fly half, shuffling Lucas Cuming to inside centre. Reilly generally did well with solid defensive work and especially effective positional kicking. Colt Harry Westgate at scrum half had a decent game keeping his back division moving and will probably do more sniping as his confidence builds at this level.
Thanet had much the better of the first 15 minutes of the second half as they retained possession and hammered away at the home try line with good ball retention and support play. The home defence was severely tested but just proved adequate. Cuming and Rees Webb were especially noted for their defensive efforts but overall the defensive organisation was good.
Tommy Buck was now injured and replaced by Ollie Wigman. Buck was making just his second appearance at this level this season and the scrum had done well, much to his credit. Wigman, another Colt making his first adult appearance, increased the pressure of the visitors’ scrummage.
Finally Heathfield broke out and a fine kick by Reilly was recovered by Cuming - the ball was moved to Slinnhawkins to score in the corner under the home balcony, well converted by Simpson (17-8).
From the restart Williams nearly made a miraculous run back with a chip ahead but just stumbled after regathering the ball with the opposition completely wrong-footed.
Thanet were still very much in the game but Cuming then made an interception in midfield and a score looked likely on the left flank only the final pass was too strong and went to ground.
Another Colt, George Walter, now made his first appearance and was noted with some useful contributions.
With about seven minutes left Wigman made a strong run, carried on by Sam Crichton and then Cuming who found Williams who still had plenty to do to finish well in the corner under the balcony.
Crichton was becoming increasingly prominent making several bullocking runs and he now made many yards into the left hand corner leading to some intense pressure on the visitors line, with a yellow for a Thanet player. From an attacking lineout Dylan Eames thought he had scored in a heap of bodies but was adjudged to have been held up.
In the last moments of the game an attacking scrum in the same corner looked promising but was just contained and the ball was worked wide right but the last pass (again?) went wrong so it looked as though the chance had gone. However the visitors’ lineout was turned over and in a messy situation Wigman muscled his way to touch down and cap his excellent debut performance.
The second half was notable for the low penalty count with both teams wanting to play fast open rugby. It also reflects credit on the referee who always had calm control of the game as well as being fit enough to be up with play, more than is sometimes the case with his older colleagues.
Thanet were naturally disappointed with the outcome in a game that they felt they could have won and some of their play was of good quality. They are probably safe from relegation although that situation remains very uncertain.
Heathfield will be delighted with the contribution from the younger team members in particular. The three remaining games are all challenging but, availability permitting, they also represent more opportunities to incorporate this year’s Colts into the senior side.
Next week Heathfield entertain Bromley who are second place in the league although today’s results mean that they cannot catch Old Alleynians who are now guaranteed league winners and promotion. Please note that kick offs for the rest of the season are at 3.00pm (4 Mar 3.00).