Beccehamians 36 Heathfield 31
As the sun set on a lovely evening, and the players drifted home to turn on the central heating for the first time or the braver(?) ones headed off to mark Levi’s birthday, they may well have been wondering just what was that game about? Ten tries, multiple odd events, interceptions and eccentric refereeing all made for an entertaining and fluctuating game which started in a rain squall and ended in warm sunshine but which probably produced a fair result eventually although there will be plenty for the respective coaching teams to mull over.
In spite of the recent rain the pitch was still very firm with an inconsistent grass covering. Intermittent rain squalls before kickoff and briefly into the game did not seem to affect handling and generally both sides looked to keep the ball moving.
Beccs played down the slope at their clubhouse end in the first half and started the stronger. They had an early penalty in the right hand corner and as someone who used to take part in such manoeuvres I enjoyed seeing them try a pivot move at short range from the visitors’ line although it did not work on this occasion. However they did open the scoring with a penalty soon afterwards.
Heathfield then had a longish penalty chance but it drifted wide. Beccs charged back with some good handling from their own 22 and it took a fine cover tackle in the corner to deny them a try – it was on the far side of the pitch from me so don’t know who to credit.
On the quarter hour Beccs collected their first try from good scrum ball in the middle of the park as their full back ran a lovely line onto a well-timed pass and then had the gas to go under the posts. Almost immediately Heathfield struck back as Tom Reilly intercepted in midfield and also went under the posts, converted by Toby Simpson.
The game was flowing all over the pitch with the home side looking the more threatening as their big runners were punching holes in the visitors’ defence while Heathfield were looking dangerous on the counter with some neat close passing.
Then with just over five minutes left in the half, Beccs had an attacking lineout in the right hand corner. Their catch and drive was initially well defended by Heathfield but they retained the ball and their number 7 dived through a hole for a try.
Again Heathfield replied almost immediately when Ben Irwin chipped in to the right hand corner and Tom Tingley was on hand to touch down in a mess of bodies.
However Beccs had the last word in the half as they again had a good attacking position in the right hand corner and this time their drive worked well for their no 4 to claim the points.
The half time score of 24-12 was a fair reflection of the contest thus far. Heathfield’s scrummage was benefitting from the return to action of Oli Wigman from serious injury and he will hopefully be up to full games soon. The home lineout looked a good operation while the Heathfield’s misfired occasionally.
Beccs started the second half strongly although at one point Harry Slinnhawkins looked to have made a try scoring interception before the action was eventually called back for a lineout. Slinnhawkins was Heathfield’s best player on the day with some useful runs and a couple of excellent catches or recoveries of the ball in the air.
Then it was Heathfield’s turn to have an attacking lineout in the right hand corner and Tom Cornwall does what he normally does to dive in for a try.
At 24-19 the game was much in the balance and there was no further scoring for nearly 20 minutes.
A straight put-in to the scrum has become the exception at all levels of the game so it was remarkable that in the 65th minute of this game Beccs were awarded a free kick for a crooked feed by Heathfield in the visitors’ 22. A quick tap and their no 8 charged over for their bonus point try.
Heathfield looked a little shocked at this and were then caught napping by some strong direct running down the left flank for a simple try which appeared to be the decisive score at 36-19.
Thankfully Heathfield regathered themselves and a few minutes later Slinnhawkins capped his fine game with an interception in his own half and was able to jog under the posts at the other end for the bonus point try.
Heathfield then finished the stronger. At one point the referee chose to ignore a touch judge’s flag which enabled Heathfield to continue playing and reach the home 22. Eventually in the last moments of the game they secured an attacking lineout in the left hand corner. This was superbly caught by Gus Taylor at the tail and a well set maul was supplemented by most of the back division before veteran Rob Lawrence claimed the try which also ensured a losing bonus point.
Afterwards Head Coach Dave Cook picked out Slinnhawkins in particular with honourable mention for Dan Bird for his work in all phases.
Heathfield have now had competitive contests with the top three in the table although the win column remains blank. Next week Thanet Wanderers, who are just above Heathfield in the table, make the long trek to Cross In Hand after a close win over Cranbrook today (21 Oct 3.00).