Heathfield 27 Dover 25
Heathfield snatched what had seemed an unlikely win over Dover in the last moments of this Counties 1 Kent league match as they recovered from a 0-20 point deficit.
Conditions were excellent as the visitors kicked off down the slight slope on a mostly sunny day with a weak breeze behind them. I am sometimes accused of finding slopes where others don’t but few present today would deny that the contours had a big influence on the game with 12 points scored at the clubhouse end compared with 40 at the other.
Dover had an excellent start to the game with two penalties giving them a 6 point lead after five minutes. They were generally on the front foot with Heathfield attracting the referee’s whistle too often at this stage. Pressure was also being applied in the scrummage and they duly exploited an attacking scrum near the bottom right hand corner to move the ball left for a simple finish on that side.
Although under pressure Heathfield were showing signs of life with Jem Macvicker making the first of several strong runs in heavy traffic and Jay Massey-Taylor being just contained after a useful run. However Dover were enjoying majority possession at this stage and generally throughout the game they looked after the ball better than Heathfield, often retaining the ball through multiple phases – while Heathfield seemed to lose the ball in contact too often.
Early in the second quarter Dover collected their second try following consistent pressure – but I can’t decipher my notes to provide any details.
Last week Heathfield had cruised into a 20 point lead at about this stage and then held on to win. Now few spectators near me expected the game to be that close such was the apparent Dover dominance at this point.
After about 30 minutes a Dover kick ahead was collected by Toby Simpson. He chipped high along the right hand touchline where Lucas Cuming bravely recovered the ball before finding Liam Dunkley who still had some work to do before finishing near the posts. Simpson converted. (7-20)
Dover finished the half strongly with consistent pressure in the home 22 but the defence just held on in what was probably the decisive period of play. A score then might have been too great a hill to climb.
Dover had a clear advantage throughout in the scrummage and thereby collected a couple of penalties. However Heathfield stole several of their lineouts and probably edged that phase.
Heathfield started the second half strongly and were soon awarded a penalty. Oddly, to my mind, it was decided to try for a difficult three points when a kick to the corner looked a better option. The kick was just wide. However soon afterwards Tom Cornwall ripped the ball off a Dover runner and it was quickly moved wide left for Cuming to make good yards and then put Massey-Taylor in for the try.
Dover were stung into action and pressed up into the left hand corner where their scrum dominance was duly rewarded, although crucially the conversion was wide.
However that was their high watermark as thereafter most of the game was in their half. It was also noticeable that while in the first half the penalty count had been slightly against Heathfield, in the second period it was 2-9 against the visitors, especially in the final minutes.
Entering the final quarter Heathfield were hammering away on the left hand side, aided by Dover penalties, and eventually Cornwall muscled his way over from short range. At 17-25 with about 15 minutes remaining the comeback was definitely on.
When Dover botched the restart Tom Reilly put in a precise 50/22 to put pressure straight back onto the visitors. This resulted in a penalty on the left hand side that was kicked to the corner when going for a possible three points would have perhaps secured at least a losing bonus point. Anyway the lineout was won and the ball moved into midfield where another penalty indiscretion by Dover provided an easy three points (20-25) with just seven minutes remaining.
Momentum was now with the home side as the clock ticked down (cliché count is a high today as well) but all of the play was in the visitors’ 22 and eventually good ruck ball was worked left for Massey-Taylor to make the decisive break and put Cuming in for the try on the left hand side which levelled the score. Reilly then knocked over the far from straightforward conversion to take the lead.
There was just time for the restart but soon the ball was booted into touch and Heathfield could revel in being at the top of this league for the first time in their history – albeit after just two games and there are no illusions at Cross In Hand that they will be in that position in April.
Afterwards the Dover coaches particularly mentioned their fly half Harry Moore and veteran inside centre Simon Morris as their standout players on the day. I would also pick out another veteran hooker Kirk Savage who is always a bloody nuisance and at the heart of their pack’s best work.
The Heathfield coaches were unanimous in picking Jem Macvicker as their best player of the match for his all round performance with strong carries, tackles and lineout work. Harry Westgate, Aidan Plumly and skipper Gus Taylor were also picked out for various strong contributions.
Irrespective of individual contributions this was a team performance to come back from 20 points down, especially with the good discipline in the second half. Winning is a useful habit and builds confidence which enables future good performances. Other results confirm that this will be a competitive league and that, injuries and availability permitting, Heathfield will be right in the conversation.
Next week Heathfield visit their nearest (and dearest?) neighbours Crowborough for what is always a good contest. (21 Sep 3.00)