Crowborough edge 9 try thriller at the final whistle

Crowborough 31 Heathfield 27
Why do you play rugby? For days like this.
Crowborough finally snatched a result in this Counties 1 Kent league match (between two clubs based in Sussex but we’ll ignore that!) as two well-matched teams played the full 80 minutes with the result decided by the last score of the game.
Conditions were as good as can be expected at this time of year on a relatively warm day with no rain. The occasionally variable breeze made place kicking challenging.
Early exchanges were even as both sides tested out their opponents. Some good work by skipper Lucas Cuming and Harry Westagte (unusually on the wing) produced a good attacking position on the left hand side and soon a penalty allowed Toby Simpson to put Heathfield ahead.
Inevitably this just prompted the home side to up their game and a few minutes later quick handling moving the ball left produced a fine try near the left hand corner.
Approaching the quarter hour Heathfield regained the lead with a forwards’ try as Oli Wigman worked his way over from short range after a penalty had given the visitors good field position. Simpson’s conversion into the breeze from wide out was impressive.(5-10)
In keeping with the theme of this game Crowborough charged back with their live wire scrum half Sam Marchesi being especially effective so it was no surprise when some good back play saw a player dive over the line – but he failed to control the ball which was duly noted afterwards.
Nonetheless with ten minutes remaining Crowborough ambitious back play was fairly rewarded with a try on the left hand side and the conversion nudged the home side ahead.
In the last few minutes of the half Heathfield had a good position in the left hand corner but an attacking lineout misfired and the chance was gone. The lineout was the one area of weakness for Heathfield on a day of fine margins.
The half time score of 12-10 was a fair reflection of the game thus far. The scrum was even while the home side benefitted from the inaccurate visitors’ lineout. One seasoned observer thought that Crowborough were edging the breakdown but I didn’t feel either side were dominant in that phase.
An incident-packed second half opened with a Crowborough chip ahead into the left hand corner where a possible try was adjudged not to have been grounded.
In the fluctuating character of this game Heathfield now had a live chance from a turnover but a poor kick wasted the opportunity. By contrast Crowborough then exploited an efficient lineout to claim an important converted try. (19-10)
Obviously Heathfield replied this time with another try for Wigman from short range after a penalty had provided a good attacking position and the lineout just about worked. (19-15). Wigman was also noted with useful carries and tackling so he will be missed but Heathfield wish him well on his New Zealand venture.
With fifteen minutes left Crowborough restored their nine point lead with a fine piece of handling as Sam Eyres finished well on the right hand side.
This now led to a bizarre period of play as both sides exchanged at least ten kicks without anyone gaining advantage. As an old prop I would have been standing near the centre circle waiting for the girlies to finish while letting other people rush up and down but thankfully Jem Macvicker utilised the offside laws correctly and finally charged down the home full back, and then retrieved the ball for a big score under the post, naturally converted by Simpson. (24-22)
With about five minutes left a penalty gave a good attacking opportunity into the right hand corner and after a messy lineout George Walter claimed the bonus point try in a heap of bodies. (24-27). All four Heathfield tries were scored by forwards.
This is Walter’s first try at this level and he was one of a front row that was afterwards much appreciated for their efforts against a very seasoned opposition lineup. Crowborough two props were together aged 87 – all three of Heathfield’s front row had just 56 years between them! Ollie Tooke was also much praised for his first appearance at hooker at this level as he did well in the tight and still contributed much around the park.
As the seconds ticked down Crowborough charged back into the visitors’ half and were duly rewarded with a kickable penalty. To their credit they went for the corner and ambition was duly rewarded with the deciding try.
Heathfield Head Coach Dave Cook was naturally disappointed to finish his tenure with a loss but was delighted with the performance and spirit of the team in a fixture in which the league table before the game had suggested a very different outcome. Over the last eight years Cook has led Heathfield’s first team to its highest ever level in league terms last season and he hands over to Sam Goatcher a young ambitious side capable of great things.
There was much mutual respect in the clubhouse afterwards and both clubs can probably look forward to next season in this highly competitive league although Heathfield are only just above the relegation zone. Heathfield should be pleased with two bonus points from the game while bemoaning the missed opportunity for a win. Notably Heathfield now have 5 losing bonus points and two draws which tells the story of the season thus far.
After the holiday break Heathfield resume action when they entertain Ashford to whom they just lost in September (6 Jan 2.00)