Back
Sat 07 Oct 2023 · Counties 1 Kent
1st XVCanterbury II
Tries: T Cornwall (2)Conversions: T SimpsonPenalties: T Simpson (2)
18
34
Pilgrims power beats game Heathfield
Philip Bell8 Oct 2023 - 07:01
Share via
Big runners wear down solid defence
Heathfield 18 Canterbury Pilgrims (II) 34
The unbeaten league leaders eventually powered their way to a bonus point win but not before Heathfield had taken an early lead and challenged them throughout.
Conditions were about as perfect as can be on an unseasonably warm day for October. The earlier steady breeze died away and was not significant. The pitch had a good grass covering and given the recent lack of rain had been watered so it was taking a stud.
Heathfield had much the better of the start of the game which was mostly in the visitors’ half. An early penalty, reportedly for obstruction, was converted by Toby Simpson. Then a solid lineout was worked left and Simpson made useful yards before the attack was stifled in the corner. However a subsequent lineout was efficiently executed and Tom Cornwall duly dived over for the try, converted by Simpson.
Canterbury now started to join the party, based chiefly on a strong scrummage which put them on the front foot. They scored three tries in just over ten minutes as they started to play to their strength of the big men in their back division who may not be the fastest but they take an awful lot of stopping.
Harry Westgate took a team yellow for a high tackle, although it probably wasn’t him. There were 11 penalties for high tackles across both teams throughout the game and two resulting yellows so there is still room for improvement in technique.
Just as the momentum appeared to have swung in the visitors’ favour, Heathfield struck back on the half hour. From broken play Jack Brown chipped ahead and then Cornwall arrived to reclaim the ball and touch down for his second on the day. From the same play the Canterbury second row Luke Webber-Jones was binned. He was generally a most effective and influential player and it was noticeable that their scrummage was thereafter much less effective.
Heathfield dominated the last few minutes of the half, starting with a Simpson penalty.. Then possession kept play in the visitors’ half until Heathfield had a promising scrum on the 22 directly in front of the posts. However a fumble at the base of the scrum enabled the visitors to escape unscathed.
The half time score of 18-19 reflected a game that was in the balance . The scrummage had now evened out and neither side dominated at the breakdown although Cornwalll was probably the most effective operator in that phase. The lineout was generally even although Heathfield lost two good attacking positions with throws adjudged not straight.
Canterbury started the second half strongly and it took some sturdy defensive work to keep them out. However after seven minutes Archie Adam was binned, apparently for a high tackle although again it may not have been him. The visitors duly took advantage with some good support play into the left hand corner for their bonus point try.
A home penalty chance just drifted wide and approaching the end of the third quarter Canterbury started to edge clear with a well-taken try from turnover ball. The Heathfield defence takes much credit for generally sound tackling throughout the game but the size and strength of the visitors’ midfield will have taken its toll. Dylan Eames was particularly noted with some sturdy work at close quarters disrupting the opposition mauls. Tom Tingley was having another fine game and some of his cover tackling was exceptional while Harry Westgate was also praised for his defensive work.
Canterbury nearly picked up another from close range in the left hand corner but the ball was dropped over the line. Nonetheless just before the half hour Canterbury again exploited turnover ball and their characteristic strong runners did the rest for their sixth and final try.
Heathfield were still competing well and good scrum ball was worked left with a try looking likely but the final pass was adjudged forward. There was still time for another yellow for a high tackle, this time for the visitor’ tight head. Heathfield did have more chances but a promising lineout in the bottom corner was turned over.
Essentially the visitors’ power and strength carried them home in the second half. They may well win this league although conversations continue about whether they should be in it at all. There are valid arguments on both sides.
In spite of the defeat, Heathfield will take some satisfaction from the performance but plucky losses do not earn league points. Next week will be another tough ask when they visit Beccehmians who are having a good season, unbeaten apart from only just losing to Canterbury. (14 Oct 3.00)
The unbeaten league leaders eventually powered their way to a bonus point win but not before Heathfield had taken an early lead and challenged them throughout.
Conditions were about as perfect as can be on an unseasonably warm day for October. The earlier steady breeze died away and was not significant. The pitch had a good grass covering and given the recent lack of rain had been watered so it was taking a stud.
Heathfield had much the better of the start of the game which was mostly in the visitors’ half. An early penalty, reportedly for obstruction, was converted by Toby Simpson. Then a solid lineout was worked left and Simpson made useful yards before the attack was stifled in the corner. However a subsequent lineout was efficiently executed and Tom Cornwall duly dived over for the try, converted by Simpson.
Canterbury now started to join the party, based chiefly on a strong scrummage which put them on the front foot. They scored three tries in just over ten minutes as they started to play to their strength of the big men in their back division who may not be the fastest but they take an awful lot of stopping.
Harry Westgate took a team yellow for a high tackle, although it probably wasn’t him. There were 11 penalties for high tackles across both teams throughout the game and two resulting yellows so there is still room for improvement in technique.
Just as the momentum appeared to have swung in the visitors’ favour, Heathfield struck back on the half hour. From broken play Jack Brown chipped ahead and then Cornwall arrived to reclaim the ball and touch down for his second on the day. From the same play the Canterbury second row Luke Webber-Jones was binned. He was generally a most effective and influential player and it was noticeable that their scrummage was thereafter much less effective.
Heathfield dominated the last few minutes of the half, starting with a Simpson penalty.. Then possession kept play in the visitors’ half until Heathfield had a promising scrum on the 22 directly in front of the posts. However a fumble at the base of the scrum enabled the visitors to escape unscathed.
The half time score of 18-19 reflected a game that was in the balance . The scrummage had now evened out and neither side dominated at the breakdown although Cornwalll was probably the most effective operator in that phase. The lineout was generally even although Heathfield lost two good attacking positions with throws adjudged not straight.
Canterbury started the second half strongly and it took some sturdy defensive work to keep them out. However after seven minutes Archie Adam was binned, apparently for a high tackle although again it may not have been him. The visitors duly took advantage with some good support play into the left hand corner for their bonus point try.
A home penalty chance just drifted wide and approaching the end of the third quarter Canterbury started to edge clear with a well-taken try from turnover ball. The Heathfield defence takes much credit for generally sound tackling throughout the game but the size and strength of the visitors’ midfield will have taken its toll. Dylan Eames was particularly noted with some sturdy work at close quarters disrupting the opposition mauls. Tom Tingley was having another fine game and some of his cover tackling was exceptional while Harry Westgate was also praised for his defensive work.
Canterbury nearly picked up another from close range in the left hand corner but the ball was dropped over the line. Nonetheless just before the half hour Canterbury again exploited turnover ball and their characteristic strong runners did the rest for their sixth and final try.
Heathfield were still competing well and good scrum ball was worked left with a try looking likely but the final pass was adjudged forward. There was still time for another yellow for a high tackle, this time for the visitor’ tight head. Heathfield did have more chances but a promising lineout in the bottom corner was turned over.
Essentially the visitors’ power and strength carried them home in the second half. They may well win this league although conversations continue about whether they should be in it at all. There are valid arguments on both sides.
In spite of the defeat, Heathfield will take some satisfaction from the performance but plucky losses do not earn league points. Next week will be another tough ask when they visit Beccehmians who are having a good season, unbeaten apart from only just losing to Canterbury. (14 Oct 3.00)
Further reading
Team Sponsors