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Sat 13 Jan 2024 · Counties 1 Kent
Canterbury II
1st XV
45
22
Tries: R Lawrence (2), T ReillyConversions: T Simpson (2)Penalties: T Simpson
League leaders Canterbury finally overcome game Heathfield
Philip Bell14 Jan - 08:35
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Long journey for no reward apart from the satisfaction of a good performance
Canterbury II 45 Heathfield 22
Unbeaten league leaders Canterbury II duly collected their apparently inevitable bonus point win over a remarkably resilient Heathfield team who nonetheless emerged from the game with massive credit. With ten minutes remaining Heathfield were still much in the game but were eventually overwhelmed in the last minutes.
Canterbiury`started brightly from the kick off but Heathfield gradually contained and then challenged the home side with a strong run by Harry SlinnHawkins down the right wing. While this was contained it led to an attacking lineout in the left hand corner which was efficiently exploited by Heathfield for veteran hooker Rob Lawrence to open the scoring. Toby Simpson converted.
Canterbury immediately replied as they soon scored two tries down the left hand side with the quick second phase possession and strong running that characterised their teams’ performance on the day. A third try soon followed in the right hand corner and the score line of 17-7 was looking bleak. However any thoughts that this was going to be a one-sided game were immediately dispelled. An efficient Heathfield lineout in the left hand corner was again well exploited and yet again Lawrence claimed the touchdown.
This was now a good contest with the obviously talented and stronger home team being challenged by the game visitors' feisty defence with Lucas Cuming and Jay Massey-Taylor being particularly mentioned by the coaches. Ben Irwin had to retire hurt so Simpson moved to scrum half and did well.
Approaching the last five minutes Simpson nudged Heathfield closer with a penalty although with hindsight at 17-15 this was as close as they got. In the last five minutes of the half Canterbury ran in two tries with the second coming from turned over scrum ball, thus collecting their now routine try bonus point.
On a chilly day Heathfield, rugged rustic souls, will have been amused to see their apparently fragile opponents (!) retreat to the warmth of the changing room at half time.
Indeed Heathfield immediately pressed the home side possession from the restart and Tom Reilly bravely charged down a defensive kick and then skilfully recovered the ball to touch down under the posts, converted by Simpson. (31-22)
This remained the score for nearly another 30 minutes which is a reflection of the excellent contest which now evolved. Canterbury were obviously the stronger side but this was being matched by some impressively determined defensive efforts by Heathfield.
There was one particularly noted period of play when Canterbury had a 5m tap penalty but some ferocious defence drove them back beyond the 22m line. The commitment of the whole Heathfield team was outstanding and clearly rattled the supposedly higher rated home team players resulting in several penalties for back-chat.
Heathfield did have occasional forays into the home half and one promising attack led to an attacking lineout near the home 22. However for the first time on the day the lineout failed and the chance was gone. At this point with less than ten minutes remaining Heathfield had genuine hopes of a try bonus point and even a losing bonus point. Such hopes were soon cruelly snuffed out.
This lineout glitch was soon followed by a not-straight call at a defensive lineout which gave Canterbury momentum. The resulting attack was just held up but Canterbury were now firmly on the front foot and in the last minutes collected two converted tries as size and strength eventually took their toll to give a score line which did not reflect the balance of the contest.
After a fine team performance it was difficult to pick out any particular individual. Lawrence obviously was noted for his two tries and remarkable persuasion of the referee in a lineout decision. However Jem Macvicker was specially noted for his strong work in all phases and probably just faded other contenders who included Ollie Tooke with some massive defensive efforts and Tom Cornawall with some crafty breakdown work.
For Canterbury their flanker Adrian Geddes was clearly outstanding, particularly in the first half while I liked the energy and hunger for work of their winger Jack Weaver.
At the end of the day Heathfield had to give best to their larger, stronger semi-professional opponents. Whether the Canterbury 2nd team should be in this league remains a highly disputed matter. Canterbury would help themselves if they treated lower visiting sides with more respect off the pitch.
Next week Heathfield entertain Beccehamians who are seriously challenging for the promotion slot in this league – since Canterbury cannot be promoted. In the earlier fixture in South London Beccs just shaded the result in a high scoring game and have only lost two games all season so this promises to be a good contest. (20 Jan 2.00)
Unbeaten league leaders Canterbury II duly collected their apparently inevitable bonus point win over a remarkably resilient Heathfield team who nonetheless emerged from the game with massive credit. With ten minutes remaining Heathfield were still much in the game but were eventually overwhelmed in the last minutes.
Canterbiury`started brightly from the kick off but Heathfield gradually contained and then challenged the home side with a strong run by Harry SlinnHawkins down the right wing. While this was contained it led to an attacking lineout in the left hand corner which was efficiently exploited by Heathfield for veteran hooker Rob Lawrence to open the scoring. Toby Simpson converted.
Canterbury immediately replied as they soon scored two tries down the left hand side with the quick second phase possession and strong running that characterised their teams’ performance on the day. A third try soon followed in the right hand corner and the score line of 17-7 was looking bleak. However any thoughts that this was going to be a one-sided game were immediately dispelled. An efficient Heathfield lineout in the left hand corner was again well exploited and yet again Lawrence claimed the touchdown.
This was now a good contest with the obviously talented and stronger home team being challenged by the game visitors' feisty defence with Lucas Cuming and Jay Massey-Taylor being particularly mentioned by the coaches. Ben Irwin had to retire hurt so Simpson moved to scrum half and did well.
Approaching the last five minutes Simpson nudged Heathfield closer with a penalty although with hindsight at 17-15 this was as close as they got. In the last five minutes of the half Canterbury ran in two tries with the second coming from turned over scrum ball, thus collecting their now routine try bonus point.
On a chilly day Heathfield, rugged rustic souls, will have been amused to see their apparently fragile opponents (!) retreat to the warmth of the changing room at half time.
Indeed Heathfield immediately pressed the home side possession from the restart and Tom Reilly bravely charged down a defensive kick and then skilfully recovered the ball to touch down under the posts, converted by Simpson. (31-22)
This remained the score for nearly another 30 minutes which is a reflection of the excellent contest which now evolved. Canterbury were obviously the stronger side but this was being matched by some impressively determined defensive efforts by Heathfield.
There was one particularly noted period of play when Canterbury had a 5m tap penalty but some ferocious defence drove them back beyond the 22m line. The commitment of the whole Heathfield team was outstanding and clearly rattled the supposedly higher rated home team players resulting in several penalties for back-chat.
Heathfield did have occasional forays into the home half and one promising attack led to an attacking lineout near the home 22. However for the first time on the day the lineout failed and the chance was gone. At this point with less than ten minutes remaining Heathfield had genuine hopes of a try bonus point and even a losing bonus point. Such hopes were soon cruelly snuffed out.
This lineout glitch was soon followed by a not-straight call at a defensive lineout which gave Canterbury momentum. The resulting attack was just held up but Canterbury were now firmly on the front foot and in the last minutes collected two converted tries as size and strength eventually took their toll to give a score line which did not reflect the balance of the contest.
After a fine team performance it was difficult to pick out any particular individual. Lawrence obviously was noted for his two tries and remarkable persuasion of the referee in a lineout decision. However Jem Macvicker was specially noted for his strong work in all phases and probably just faded other contenders who included Ollie Tooke with some massive defensive efforts and Tom Cornawall with some crafty breakdown work.
For Canterbury their flanker Adrian Geddes was clearly outstanding, particularly in the first half while I liked the energy and hunger for work of their winger Jack Weaver.
At the end of the day Heathfield had to give best to their larger, stronger semi-professional opponents. Whether the Canterbury 2nd team should be in this league remains a highly disputed matter. Canterbury would help themselves if they treated lower visiting sides with more respect off the pitch.
Next week Heathfield entertain Beccehamians who are seriously challenging for the promotion slot in this league – since Canterbury cannot be promoted. In the earlier fixture in South London Beccs just shaded the result in a high scoring game and have only lost two games all season so this promises to be a good contest. (20 Jan 2.00)
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