Park House 25 Heathfield 24
Park House snatched a win in the last play of a well-contested match which left Heathfield frustrated at letting slip a game that they should have won but handicapped themselves through errors and poor execution.
This is not to deny Park House their resilience and full eighty minutes efforts (and a good deal longer but that’s another matter). Heathfield knew that Park’s relatively lowly league position did not reflect the value of their previous matches this season with close losses against highly ranked teams. A close contest was expected and duly delivered.
Conditions were benign for the time of year with a well-grassed pitch in excellent condition and no significant wind.
Heathfield started strongly with Tom Cornwall making the first of many strong elusive runs on the day and he was just denied in the bottom right hand corner. However the lineout from a resulting penalty was overthrown and Ollie Tooke happily collected the ball to work his way over for the opening try, well converted by Toby Simpson.
Park responded well and soon earned a penalty. The game now settled down although most of it was in the visitors’ half. Ollie Smith was then binned for a no-arms tackle (although he was insistent that there had been no contact). This allowed Park to keep the pressure on and approaching the end of the first quarter Park collected their first try (10-7).
In Smith’s absence Tooke moved up to prop and did well there. Park had some periods of pressure, helped by some visitors’ mistakes, but Heathfield were also looking dangerous. They were particularly disappointed when play was halted for an injury to a Park player when the ball had been carried a long way downfield from the injured player who quickly recovered.
With Smith back on the field Heathfield now had an extended period of possession in the home 22 through at least 10 phases at one point. Park should take considerable credit for their defence in this period. This was the critical point in the game as Heathfield should have scored at least one try but good home defence and their own errors prevented a score.
Park charged back and a penalty allowed them to extend their lead. Heathfield had one last chance in the bottom corner but another lineout error ruined the opportunity.
At 13-7 the game was clearly in the balance. The home lineout was a particularly effective operation with their two older members controlling affairs. By contrast the Heathfield lineout often misfired. Neither side dominated the scrummage. Last year Heathfield would have struggled against the large Park front five but this year the scrum is much more secure.
Heathfield started the second half brightly but a good attacking opportunity into the left hand corner was spoiled by another botched lineout. However continued green pressure produced a penalty which Simpson duly knocked over.
More Heathfield pressure ended with a drop out from the home goal line. The ball was fielded by Harry Westgate who found Cornwall and another tasty run by him ended with a good pass to Chris Baker-Butler to touch down in the left hand corner, well converted by Simpson.
Park are a resilient side and now pressed into the left hand side. They duly retook the lead with a try from short range on that side (20-17). Archie Adam was binned at this point for a late tackle.
The penalty count now started to mount against Heathfield and Tom Tingley may have been fortunate to escape with just a warning after one incident.
However a Park centre was then binned for what appears to have been a bit of petulance so numbers were then even. Entering the last ten minutes Heathfield were pressing into the home 22. A tap penalty was worked wide left and a high (probably scoring) pass was slapped down by the home outside centre who duly received a yellow card and the referee trotted under the posts for a penalty try. There was no other defender in that area so this seems a justified decision.
Park to their credit charged back and again hammered away in what seems to be their favoured left hand corner, assisted by an increasing penalty count against Heathfield. Eventually Cornwall was binned for some malpractice at the breakdown but the visitors defence was just about holding firm until the pressure eventually told and the ball was moved, wide right for the match winning try.
There had been multiple interruptions for injury throughout the game and the second half lasted well over 50 minutes of elapsed time. This had prevented the game from being the free flowing contest that could have happened – to the frustration of both coaching teams.
Heathfield coaches afterwards lamented the discipline failures, along with the poor execution, that had cost them the game. Prior to this there had been just two yellow cards in five games but today they collected three. Cornwall, Aiden Plumley and Jack Ruddock were among those noted for their contribution on the day but the general feeling was one of disappointment at a missed opportunity.
Park have a decent all round side which will probably and deservedly climb further up the table. Their loosehead Jamie Barnett will have enjoyed celebrating his 100th cap. Nonetheless Heathfield will look forward to welcoming them to Cross In Hand in February.
After a week off Heathfield next entertain Deal & Betteshanger who had a comfortable home win today against Cranbrook. (9 Nov 2.00) Deal just beat Park House early in September so this looks like another good contest.