Heathfield opened their Counties 1 Kent league campaign with a comfortable ten tries to three win over old foes Charlton Park.
Park are going through a difficult period and their team is much changed from last season with just five survivors from last year starting today. They clearly have some talented players but it looked like a team just getting to know each other and the home side was pretty ruthless in taking advantage.
Conditions were good with a fair grass covering over a firm surface on a warm and mostly sunny day with a slight breeze helping to keep players cool.
Playing down the slight slope an attacking lineout was carried on well by debutant Sam Walley and after a couple of other carries Jay Massey-Taylor dived over near the posts. Toby Simpson converted as he did with eight of the ten tries. Massey-Taylor had missed most of last season with an early injury so it is good to see him back in action.
From the restart Massey-Taylor made a huge run back and was only just stopped short but skipper Lucas Cuming was on hand to finish.
Then there was some kicking ping-pong which ended when Harry Westgate chose to run yet another kick back and good support was on hand to carry the ball on before Westgate himself arrived at the right moment to finish the move (21-0).
Three tries down within ten minutes is a difficult situation for any team. However Park now started to play to their strength as a penalty gave them a good attacking position in the top corner and an efficient lineout catch and drive allowed them to open their scoring for the league season.
However the home side had much the better of the rest of the half. Secure lineout ball was carried on well through multiple hands before Liam Dunkley was able to work his way over by the posts for the bonus point try. Then a defensive Park 5m scrum was messed up and Jack Pincus was on hand to dive on a loose ball. From the restart a great run by Harry Slinn-Hawkins was finally finished by George Hayter.
Park did manage to finish the half with some spirit as they worked their way back into the home 22 but a penalty thwarted their hopes.
A half time score of 40-5 was a fair reflection of the game thus far. The home scrummage had a clear edge with tight head Olly Smith being especially influential. Hayter and prop Jack Ruddock also both had notably strong games in the first half in loose play and in defence.
At half time Head Coach Sam Goatcher started to use his bench with Rafe Gibson and Tom Cornwall replacing Smith and debutant Tom Aldridge. Cornwall was also returning from a long term injury and he soon showed his well-being with a characteristic strong run.
In spite of the scoreline the game was still well-contested. The next score came ten minutes into the half when an efficient lineout move enabled Walley to claim a try to celebrate his first appearance for the team. However Park soon replied with another try from short range.
My notes become confused at this point but entering the last quarter it looks as though Slinn-Hawkins claimed the next try after some decent handling.
Scrums then went uncontested as a second Park front rower retired hurt although there was then some confusion over whether Park should have had another man off in this situation.
Westgate then collected a fine individual score as he retrieved the ball after a messy lineout and darted through the defence in the left hand corner.
Park still had time to show their resilience with their third try, again from short range. And there was also time for Heathfield to show some old failings as they were twice marched back 10m for rabbit. The penalty count in the second half was strongly against them.
Nonetheless Heathfield had the last word as a period of messy and confusing play was ended by Westgate claiming his third try on the day.
Park will be a better side as they get to know each other - they certainly have some talented players.
Heathfield will be pleased with the outcome but know that harder challenges lie ahead – starting with Park House next week. Barnet Wood Road is rarely a happy hunting ground for the Greenies but that is where we are next Saturday at 3.00pm.