Heathfield collected a seven try bonus point away win against a Charlton Park side who are having a difficult season but who nonetheless scored two good tries of their own.
Conditions were good for late January with no discernible wind on a dry day and a remarkably well-grassed pitch.
Heathfield played up the slight slope in the first half and started with some sustained possession through multiple phases. This included a useful run up the right wing by debutant Elliot Smith. After a few more phases Harry Slinnhawkins worked his way over near the posts and Toby Simpson duly converted.
Park naturally charged back and earned a penalty chance but it drifted wide. It was becoming clear that the home scrummage had a distinct edge at this stage as they had a considerable weight advantage combined with the skill and experience of veteran Terry Read.
However Heathfield were competing well elsewhere and, entering the second quarter, worked their way into the top left corner. Secure lineout ball was moved into midfield for Lucas Cuming to touch down although the relatively simple conversion was scuffed.
The visitors’ backs were looking dangerous from anywhere on the field. Another secure lineout in their own half was moved wide left to Smith who now bettered his opening run with a fine solo score from about the home 10m line beating a couple of defenders and showing good pace. Smith is still a Colt so this will have given pleasure and deserved credit to the Heathfield junior coaches.
In the last few minutes of the half Park showed their resilience on a difficult day with a sustained attack into the bottom right hand corner before they worked a prop over at short range to end the half. (6-19)
At half time Heathfield used all three of the bench with Olly Smith, Will Wallis and Will Chambers joining the contest.
The visitors’ lineout had a generally effective day with particular credit to George Hayter’s throwing in. After a couple of early penalties at the scrum, the home dominance eased and Heathfield were generally securing their own ball, albeit often under pressure.
Early in the half Harry Westgate appeared to have darted through a confused situation to touch down on the left hand side but was called back for a penalty in Heathfield’s favour so advantage should have been allowed? I’m probably missing some information here.
This was soon irrelevant as yet more good lineout ball was moved coast-to-coast i.e. left to right and back again before Cuming dived in for his second on the day and, more importantly, the try bonus point.
Approaching the last quarter Park had some sustained pressure in the visitors’ try line through a series of scrums and associated penalties. However when they moved the ball into midfield it was turned over allowing Slinnhawkins to make good yards down the right touchline before finding Cuming who duly collected his third try on the day.
The game was becoming increasingly open and almost immediately Slinnhawkins was again involved before Simpson exuberantly finished from distance.
Another try looked inevitable when a Tom Tingley charge splintered the home defence but the scoring pass to Liam Dunkley was botched.
To their credit Park now mounted another sustained piece of handling and collected a decent team try in the top left corner. In the absence of a tee their kicker was unlucky when his conversion attempt from the mud was only just wide. Bob Hiller would have sympathised – but most readers won’t understand the reference.
With ten minutes left the last try came from a delightful offload by Ben Irwin in traffic which found Simpson on a good line who finished efficiently. Simpson converted 5 of the seven tries.
There was just time for a yellow card for a home player after some unnecessary handbags and then a lovely Heathfield handling move looked certain to end with a try in the left hand corner but a pass was adjudged forward.
Irwin was particularly mentioned afterwards by Head Coach Sam Goatcher for his control of the game. There was also a strong mention for George Walter for his scrummaging later in the game.
Park had something of a scratch team today but for me their star player was another veteran Mark Harlow-Singh who allegedly retired a while back but he was as powerful and effective as ever today.
Next Saturday Heathfield visit Sevenoaks 2 for the league game deferred from earlier in January. Heathfield just won the earlier fixture at Cross In Hand and Sevenoaks have only lost to Canterbury since then so this will be a severe challenge. (25 Jan 2.00)