Heathfield ended their Counties 1 Kent league season with a bonus point win over old foes Charlton Park who have been having a difficult season.
There is no full match report here as I had to attend a family occasion in London, just a few headlines from the game and some assorted thoughts.
Park arrived with a goodly coach load of support. Their recent results showed that they were fighting hard against relegation. However reportedly they had availability issues this week with their Army players – plus the sad sight of a key player Reion Raybe on crutches with a broken leg.
Heathfield had first use of the slight slope and an early try by Ben Irwin settled home nerves. However the rest of the half was scoreless. After the interval Heathfield gradually took more control with a try and a penalty for Toby Simpson before the result was sealed in the last few minutes by tries for Irwin (his second on the day) and Harry Slinnhawkins.
Simpson’s 12 points on the day mean that he finishes as the league’s second top scorer, just 2 points behind Oli Best of Deal & Betteshanger.
Heathfield finished in 7th place in the league table just behind Dover who had the same number of league points but more wins.
The note-worthy aspect of that table for Heathfield is the 6 losing bonus points. This contrasts with last season when the team were winning close games and finished 4th.
Just how many teams are relegated remains as confusing as ever. It may be two or it may be three. It is possible that Eastbourne will be transferred into this league: they have been playing in the equivalent Surrey league and the travelling has been painful for them and their opponents. Mind you trips to the east Kent coast are hardly trivial.
That Thanet are relegated is a mark of how competitive this league has been as they played some very decent rugby. Heathfield will also acknowledge that Thanet could and should have won our fixture there but for a fluffed conversion at the end of that game.
Dartfordians will be promoted. Beccehamians could have taken that slot but for the five points deducted following their abortive visit to Cross In Hand.
The presence of Canterbury II in the league remains a controversial talking point and unless things change they will be joined next season by Sevenoaks II, neither of whom can be promoted. So next season it is possible that the team coming third in this league will be promoted!
Next season we will be making two visits to Barnet Wood Road in Bromley as Park House are again promoted back to this level. We will also be playing Gravesend again as they are almost certainly relegated from Regional 2.
Heathfield will also be sad to see Park relegated if that does happen. Both clubs have always enjoyed good competition on the field and warm relations off it with fine hospitality.
Next week Heathfield visit Hove in the first round of the Pappa John Cup (13 Apr 3.00).