Heathfield were comfortable bonus point winners with ten tries over Cranbrook who are having a difficult season. The home side had too much possession and especially pace out wide for the visitors who have been handicapped by injuries and availability issues.
An early Heathfield lineout was taken forward by Ben Irwin who was just denied short of the bottom right hand corner. This led to some serious pressure on the visitors’ try line but an interception in midfield suddenly changed the picture and it took a good tackle back by Toby Simpson to snuff out the threat.
However a Heathfield scrum now provided good ball and number 8 Tom Tingley took the ball forward, linking well with Irwin before Tingley again found Harry Slinnhawkins for his first try on the day, duly converted by Simpson.
Then a kick out of defence by the visitors was run back by Simpson and after several phases Tom Cornwall added to his impressive try tally this season.
It was now Cranbrook’s turn to show that this was a serious contest and they had a period of possession and position in the home 22. This eventually led to a good try on the left hand side. (12-5)
However this was the trigger for a period of Heathfield dominance and my notes failed to keep up with all of the details. First Slinnhawkins was on the end of some decent handling. Then Cornwall was involved twice in some slick handling with Jem Macvicker providing a simple finish for Tom Reilly for the bonus point try.
Then Cornwall ruined a visitors’ scrummage at the base and he linked with Tingley who collected a much-deserved try.
In spite of the score the penalty count was rising against Heathfield but they avoided a card at this stage. From one restart Rob Lawrence produced one of the more outrageous dummies of the season apparently just so that he would get a mention in this report(sic?). Lucas Cuming had been having a solid game to mark his 100th cap for Heathfield but he now came off worse in a heavy tackle against a low slung Cranbrook centre who often made useful yards. A winded Cuming duly retired with Tingley coming into the centre and Jack Pincus moving into the back row - both did well.
Cranbrook’s Fabian Rimmer also had to retire hurt about this time. This former Heathfield Colt has been a mainstay of the Cranbrook team in recent years so this was a serious blow for them.
The half ended with another try when a Cranbrook kick out of defence was run back by Cornwall before good support play saw Irwin plunge over for the 5th try.
Cranbrook will have had some hopes of a resurgence with the slight slope to come in their favour in the second half. Indeed the third quarter of the match was probably their best period with some consistent position and possession in the home half. At one point Lawrence made a useful interception to relieve pressure which I suppose ensures his mention in this report.
Dylan Eames was now binned for misdemeanour at the breakdown and while he was unhappy with the decision the penalty count was again rising against the home side so the decision was not surprising even if the wrong man was binned. Aiden Plumley and Jack Ruddock now replaced Cornwall and George Walter with both doing well.
However the third quarter was mostly notable for some scrappy play by both sides and the home coaches were muttering about the complacency that they had warned the team about at half time.
The last quarter belonged to the home side. Cranbrook’s starting scrum half Hugo Orpin had moved to fly half and this clearly talented young Australian will have been disappointed to be intercepted by Slinnhawkins who had the pace to outstrip his pursuers for his third try on the day.
Then a visitors’ lineout was turned over and Simpson duly finished some decent handling. The previous two tries had been secured with Eames still in the bin so it was no surprise when Heathfield finished strongly with equal numbers.
Tingley capped his fine all round game with his second try on the day and then Simpson ended proceedings with his second try to add to his 7 conversions.
Apart from those mentioned above Macvicker had a storming game with excellent work in the lineout and some dynamic tackling. Ollie Tooke was widely praised for his first half efforts while the referee picked out Dan Bird for his often-undervalued contribution. Indeed the home scrummage provided generally secure possession with credit to all involved.
Heathfield overall had a mixed day with the Rangers being well beaten by Newick but just turning out a full second team is a positive sign with many clubs struggling with player numbers. The other chief moaner was the bar steward as it looked likely that he would run out of Guinness.
Next week Heathfield entertain Beccehamians in a game postponed from a couple of weeks ago. Beccs enjoyed a striking 6-57 away win at Deal today so they will arrive in good heart as they are currently looking favourites for promotion from this very competitive league. (20 Feb 2.30)