Local derby ends in low-scoring draw

Heathfield 3 Crowborough 3
Excellent conditions, a warm and sunny day with little wind, good grass coverage on a firm surface taking a stud, two teams wanting to play a fast off-loading game – what could go wrong? Errors!
The 3-3 score line was eventually a fair outcome and both sides will justifiably point to where the game could/should have been won. The outcome hinged on two key moments where Crowborough should have scored a try but were denied or messed up. Heathfield will be looking at the attacking opportunities that went begging.
From the start Heathfield showed bright attacking promise with good hands working the ball wide left at pace into the visitors’ 22 but a penalty at the breakdown killed the opportunity. This became a theme of the day as periods of good play were often ended by simple errors, especially in the first half.
The first scrum had looked ominous for the home side as they were shoved back but thereafter the ball was generally secured ok albeit sometimes under pressure.
Entering the second quarter Lucas Cuming knocked over his team’s only score on the day for a penalty at the breakdown.
Crowborough naturally charged back and probably had the better in terms of territory and possession for the rest of the half. However they were handicapped by yellow card for their fly half for a deliberate knock on.
The half ended with one of the key moments on the day. Heathfield were attacking on the halfway line with a potential overlap beckoning but Crowborough’s Rob Lester at outside centre picked off a long pass to intercept and looked certain to score in the left hand corner. He was denied by an outstanding cover tackle by Harry Slinnhawkins right in the corner.
At half time the game was clearly right in the balance. Neither side had control although Heathfield were probably shading the breakdown where Tom Cornwall was especially effective. Heathfield Head Coach Dave Cook chose to employ all his replacements at this point with Aiden Plumley, Reece Webb and Xander Samuel coming on. For the second week in a row Plumley caught the eye with some good defensive work while Samuel made a pleasing senior league debut reflecting the competition for places.
Heathfield had a bright start to the second half. Many thought Jack Brown had achieved a 50-22 although it was not given in their favour. Nonetheless Heathfield turned over the lineout and after several phases were just held up in the left hand corner.
The home lineout had a good day, generally securing their own ball and turning over several visitors’ throws in each half.
Entering the last quarter Crowborough had another period of territory and possession. A penalty chance went wide but they kept the pressure on and Webb was now binned for offside at the breakdown. A subsequent scrum looked likely to produce a pushover score but the visitors’ number 8 nudged the ball forward with his foot at the critical moment and a green hand gratefully pounced.
However almost immediately Crowborough had another penalty chance and this time made no mistake for their only score on the day.
Heathfield had the better of the next few minutes with a long range penalty miss, a storming carry by Tom Tingley and one big missed opportunity when the ball carrier turned inside with plentiful men outside him.
The game petered out with no more scares at either end and the whistle went very promptly so people could watch the England game which was about to start.
Results so far suggest that this is going to be a very competitive league and Heathfield will be glad to have secured two valuable league points.
Next Saturday Heathfield visit Ashford who have started with two bonus point wins (30 Sep 3.00)