Heathfield 27 Ashford 22
Pics by Roger Cuming
The fickle finger of fate finally came down in Heathfield’s favour at the end of this fiercely fought last league game of the season with the deciding score in the last play of the contest.
Heathfield had first use of the slight slope and variable breeze on a drying but still claggy pitch recovering from overnight rain.
Heathfield dominated the opening minutes with a secure lineout and a dominant scrummage so it was no surprise when Lucas Cuming dived over from good scrummage ball at short range on the right hand side, duly converted by Toby Simpson.
Ashford immediately came back and soon opened their scoring with a penalty. Shortly afterwards they took the lead from an efficient lineout catch and drive in the top corner under the home balcony.
The game now settled down into something of a dogfight in midfield. Ashford gradually regained equality in the scrummage and they had the better of the breakdown with their flanker Dan Sherrin being especially noted for his effective jackalling. The visitors appeared to be using the conditions better than Heathfield who seemed to be trying to play too much rugby too early.
Just before half time Ashford deservedly extended their lead with a good try in the left hand corner after several phases ended with a simple finish by their left winger.
The half time score of 7-15 was a fair reflection of the game thus far but far more points and drama were yet to come. While the scrummage had now evened out the visitors probably edged the lineout where their execution was mostly good while the home unit occasionally wobbled. Nonetheless Ollie Tooke was again being effective in the lineout to add to his sterling efforts in the scrummage and defensive work.
Cuming was noted with especially effective tackling while Tom Cornwall had his usual but still awesome game all over the park.
Dan Canneaux was now replaced by George Walter who continued the good impression made by several Heathfield Colts in the latter weeks of this season – as did Jack Pincus a little later when he replaced Will Chambers.
Heathfield had the better of the start of the second half and were looking threatening until some unnecessary backchat resulted in a reversed penalty and the pressure was released.
Another promising move into the left hand corner involving Liam Dunkley and Jay Massey-Taylor was just denied. However after 15 minutes of the half another strong sequence of play was ended by Chambers taking a delightful inside pass from Ben Irwin and he dived over at short range.
With 15 minutes remaining Heathfield had an advantage coming so Cuming kicked towards the top right corner which was adequately dealt with by the defence. However a scuffle then occurred as Harry Slinnhawkins tried to retrieve the ball and this ended with him and an Ashford player in the bin, thus wasting a good attacking opportunity.
Almost all of the play was in the visitors’ half and with ten minutes remaining a simple penalty chance allowed Simpson to level the scores (15-15).
Then an Ashford kick was fumbled by the home backs and a visitors’ centre swooped to claim what appeared to be a decisive score, capped by the conversion, with barely five minutes remaining.
Heathfield have won a number of close games this season and have an excellent never-say-die team ethos which was now wonderfully demonstrated as excellent handling from deep including a big run by Simpson ended with Massey-Taylor touching down, and Simpson levelling the score with the conversion.
As the seconds ticked down, Heathfield were again pressing into the visitors’ half when Sam Crichton, who had already made a number of useful runs, snatched the ball from a maul near the 22 and made the run he has been threatening recently to bosh initial tackles away and then stride to the line for the bonus point and winning try in the last play of the game, and indeed of the season.
There was nothing in this game for either side beyond final positions in the league table with no promotion or relegation concerns but to their considerable credit Ashford certainly made this a well-contested game.
The bonus point win means that Heathfield finish fourth in the league table, just ahead of Charlton Park. Heathfield’s season started with a 52-19 loss at Charlton Park so the final outcome reflects great credit on the whole squad for their commitment over the 22 games with 38 different people having played at least once.
Tooke and Simpson played in every game and the latter ends as the highest points scorer across all teams in this league.
Old Alleynians were clearly the best team in the league and are deservedly promoted. Otherwise this has been a highly competitive league with no easy games and whichever teams are relegated (which remains unclear for complicated reasons) will rightly be looking to return to this level very soon.
Heathfield can now enjoy some rest to heal battered bodies after too many consecutive games whilst relishing their final league position which is the highest ever achieved by the club. Next season will be just as tough, if not more so. Hopefully a fully functional training area will ease some of the difficulties encountered, and surpassed, this year.
The Players Awards day will be on 13th May when the men can share the spotlight with the similarly successful Ladies team who continue their league season today with a match against Tonbridge Juddians (19 Mar 2.00).