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Sat 11 Nov 2023 ·  Counties 1 Kent
Bromley
1st XV
45
5
Tries: H SlinnHawkins
Bromley turnovers undo Heathfield
Philip Bell12 Nov 2023 - 08:15
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At least the rain had stopped - at last!
Bromley 45 Heathfield 5
Bromley were convincing winners by seven tries to one in this RFU Counties 1 Kent league game. Bromley have a mature settled team and today they had conditions to suit.
Conditions were excellent with probably the best pitch that Heathfield have played on this season on a sunny day with little wind.
Bromley chose to play up the slight slope in the first half. Heathfield started brightly and soon earned a penalty but what seemed a straightforward chance was muffed. Bromley needed no invitation and soon carried play back into the visitors’ half when a penalty gave them a good attacking position in the top tight hand corner. An efficient lineout and drive eventually resulted in a try which was converted. The home kicker had a generally impressive day with five out of seven conversions.
A scrum penalty soon put Bromley into a good position in the right hand corner but this time the subsequent attack was adjudged to have been held up. However approaching the quarter hour good hands moved the ball wide left and a defensive error allowed their winger a simple finish in the corner.
Just when it was looking as though Heathfield were going to be blown away they produced a fine piece of play as secure lineout ball was worked into midfield where Ben Irwin found Jay Massey-Taylor on a good line who then timed a delightful pass to Harry Slinnhawkins who still had some work to do to beat the last two defenders for a fine team try.
Bromley soon responded with good scrummage ball being worked through several pairs of hands before a good finish in the right hand corner. They had another period of pressure on the visitors try line but stout defensive work prevented further damage.
Indeed the half finished on a positive note for Heathfield as a good all-team attack which included Rob Lawrence and Dan Bird on the right flank was just foiled on the bottom right hand side. A penalty gave a good scoring opportunity in that corner but for the first time in the game the lineout misfired and the chance was gone.
A half time score of 19-5 was a fair reflection of the game thus far but with the slope to come in their favour Bromley will have been justifiably optimistic of securing the result.
The home scrummage had a clear edge but the Heathfield lineout had one of its best days of the season with just one error in each half. The major area which Bromley exploited effectively throughout the game was the breakdown where Heathfield ball carriers failed to look after the ball enough and Bromley collected several scores from good turnover ball.
At half time Bromley brought on an old warrior David Banfield into their front row who had a notably healthy connection with the referee.
The next Bromley try was characteristic of the game as a whole as they exploited turnover ball and good hands down the right hand side produced an easy run in. That was the only home score in the third quarter as Heathfield continued to play some decent rugby at times. One run by Toby Simpson from a Bromley kick was carried on through several pairs of hand before Slinnhawkins made a mazy crossfield run to find support but the attack was just snuffed out in the top right corner.
However entering the last quarter Bromley collected three quick tries. Two came, as usual, from good turnover ball while the other was a penalty try from a 5m scrummage. The Heathfield scrum was often under pressure but Harry Westgate was afterwards picked out for some good work at the base securing the ball.
Heathfield had no complaints about the outcome but Head Coach Dave Cook justifiably pointed out that he had 17 players unavailable this week for injury or other reasons. With small resources, Heathfield will always struggle against larger clubs such as Bromley who have the depth to field four teams.
As noted above the Heathfield lineout had a particularly good day with credit to all involved while the scrummage remains an area of concern. In particular Joe Lewis continued his good form with useful carries and solid lineout work. The back division clearly has much potential and in due course will produce some fine results.
Heathfield were pleased to note that their second team had a well-contested game against old foes Hellingly, losing 7-22. It sounds like an event-filled game with at least three yellow cards for home players but it is just pleasing that a full team with replacements was fielded.
Next week Heathfield entertain Dartfordians who, like Bromley, appear to be one of the stronger teams in this league. (18 Nov 2.15)
Bromley were convincing winners by seven tries to one in this RFU Counties 1 Kent league game. Bromley have a mature settled team and today they had conditions to suit.
Conditions were excellent with probably the best pitch that Heathfield have played on this season on a sunny day with little wind.
Bromley chose to play up the slight slope in the first half. Heathfield started brightly and soon earned a penalty but what seemed a straightforward chance was muffed. Bromley needed no invitation and soon carried play back into the visitors’ half when a penalty gave them a good attacking position in the top tight hand corner. An efficient lineout and drive eventually resulted in a try which was converted. The home kicker had a generally impressive day with five out of seven conversions.
A scrum penalty soon put Bromley into a good position in the right hand corner but this time the subsequent attack was adjudged to have been held up. However approaching the quarter hour good hands moved the ball wide left and a defensive error allowed their winger a simple finish in the corner.
Just when it was looking as though Heathfield were going to be blown away they produced a fine piece of play as secure lineout ball was worked into midfield where Ben Irwin found Jay Massey-Taylor on a good line who then timed a delightful pass to Harry Slinnhawkins who still had some work to do to beat the last two defenders for a fine team try.
Bromley soon responded with good scrummage ball being worked through several pairs of hands before a good finish in the right hand corner. They had another period of pressure on the visitors try line but stout defensive work prevented further damage.
Indeed the half finished on a positive note for Heathfield as a good all-team attack which included Rob Lawrence and Dan Bird on the right flank was just foiled on the bottom right hand side. A penalty gave a good scoring opportunity in that corner but for the first time in the game the lineout misfired and the chance was gone.
A half time score of 19-5 was a fair reflection of the game thus far but with the slope to come in their favour Bromley will have been justifiably optimistic of securing the result.
The home scrummage had a clear edge but the Heathfield lineout had one of its best days of the season with just one error in each half. The major area which Bromley exploited effectively throughout the game was the breakdown where Heathfield ball carriers failed to look after the ball enough and Bromley collected several scores from good turnover ball.
At half time Bromley brought on an old warrior David Banfield into their front row who had a notably healthy connection with the referee.
The next Bromley try was characteristic of the game as a whole as they exploited turnover ball and good hands down the right hand side produced an easy run in. That was the only home score in the third quarter as Heathfield continued to play some decent rugby at times. One run by Toby Simpson from a Bromley kick was carried on through several pairs of hand before Slinnhawkins made a mazy crossfield run to find support but the attack was just snuffed out in the top right corner.
However entering the last quarter Bromley collected three quick tries. Two came, as usual, from good turnover ball while the other was a penalty try from a 5m scrummage. The Heathfield scrum was often under pressure but Harry Westgate was afterwards picked out for some good work at the base securing the ball.
Heathfield had no complaints about the outcome but Head Coach Dave Cook justifiably pointed out that he had 17 players unavailable this week for injury or other reasons. With small resources, Heathfield will always struggle against larger clubs such as Bromley who have the depth to field four teams.
As noted above the Heathfield lineout had a particularly good day with credit to all involved while the scrummage remains an area of concern. In particular Joe Lewis continued his good form with useful carries and solid lineout work. The back division clearly has much potential and in due course will produce some fine results.
Heathfield were pleased to note that their second team had a well-contested game against old foes Hellingly, losing 7-22. It sounds like an event-filled game with at least three yellow cards for home players but it is just pleasing that a full team with replacements was fielded.
Next week Heathfield entertain Dartfordians who, like Bromley, appear to be one of the stronger teams in this league. (18 Nov 2.15)
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