Thanet Wanderers 20 Heathfield 21
Rugby can be cruel and tonight Thanet will be feeling hard done by after a game that they could and arguably should have won. Heathfield will be relieved to be enjoying the result based on a blistering second quarter and wondering why they can’t perform like that all the time.
After surviving the roundabout endurance course on the approaches to Broadstairs at the end of the two hour plus journey, it was good to see that conditions were excellent with little wind and a firm dry pitch. The low sun along the pitch caused issues for both sides.
Injuries, late withdrawals for illness and availability issues meant that Heathfield started with a makeshift front row and wanted a game with as few scrums as possible. From the kickoff a Heathfield hand nudged the ball forward resulting in a scrum. Ominously the home scrum charged forward collecting a penalty and from the resulting lineout the ball was moved wide left and a try in the corner was adjudged to have been scored.
Heathfield duly responded and had the better of the next few minutes with a longish penalty attempt just wide. The visitors’ backs were starting to look dangerous but the home scrummage was the dominant force at this stage which kept their side on the front foot and it needed some solid defence to minimise any damage.
Thanet extended their lead at the end of the first quarter with another scrum penalty (8-0)
Heathfield dominated the rest of the half chiefly through strong running and good support play. One attack produced an attacking lineout on the left hand side but were penalised for obstruction in the lineout.
However a home lineout was now turned over and a good handling attack developed down the left hand side ending with Toby Simpson unselfishly unloading for Harry Slinn-Hawkins to score. Simpson duly converted.
Heathfield were now buzzing as all of the back division were looking hungry with Lucas Cuming and Jay Massey-Taylor looking especially dangerous They were now handicapped by a yellow card for Tom Cornwall for an alleged ‘attempted?’ trip on an opponent.
In the last five minutes of the half the whole team played some dynamic rugby in spite of being a man short with pacy running and excellent support play. Jem Macvicker and Dylan Eames each claimed a try at the end of extended handling moves, both were converted by Simpson.
The half time score of 8-21 and the way in which it had been achieved may have suggested that Heathfield would cruise to a bonus point win as long as they could avoid scrums. In the event Thanet had the better of the second half.
The half started with a yellow for a home winger for a dump tackle. This did not stop them from exploiting another scrum penalty for a good try scored from short range under the posts. At 15-21 the small band of visitors’ supporters started to feel anxious.
This looked to be unnecessary as Heathfield had a simple penalty chance but it went wide. Then Tom Tingley made a storing run almost to the line in the right hand corner and when the ball came back a try looked inevitable. However with a simple overlap available an ambitious crosskick was essayed but it was inaccurate and the chance was wasted.
Thanet were starting to build some momentum in their play but on a couple of occasions threatening attacks ended with a Heathfield penalty. This was now a well-contested game with the occasional scuffle.
With ten minutes remaining Rob Lawrence had to retire with a neck injury and since the nominated front row replacement was already off injured scrums now went uncontested.
Eventually repeated Thanet pressure ended with an attacking scrum in the visitors 22 and their inside centre dived in for what seemed to be the decisive score. However the conversion came back off the post to leave the score at 20-21 with just 4 minutes left on the clock.
The last few minutes saw some frantic efforts by both sides but eventually Simpson was able to boot the ball into touch to end the game.
Thanet were naturally disappointed to have come so close to collecting a much needed win. They are having a tough season with multiple injuries but have the players and decent spirit which could yet help them escape the drop. Their obviously powerful scrum and some strong direct runners should serve them well.
Heathfield will just be puzzling over how this side can at times play brilliant rugby but then seem to lose their way.
Harry Westgate was afterwards much complimented for his efforts at times under severe pressure. Tingley was outstanding in defence and attack in spite of struggling with an injury. Eames had a strong game in spite of playing out of position at prop while Will Chambers and Macvicker also did well.
Next week Heathfield entertain near-neighbours Cranbrook for what is always a fiercely contested match (3 Feb 2.30)