Heathfield secured a rare bonus point away win in Barnet Wood Road with a five try win over Park House. The side showed several changes from last week including two debutants who both caught the eye and add pleasingly to selection difficulties.
It should immediately be pointed out that last season we won five of the first six games – and still ended up sixth at the end of the season. The one loss in that sequence was away to Crowborough – 36-31 – but I’m not going there (gritted teeth!).
Earlier in Sussex heavy showers had produced localised flooding but Bromley seemed to have avoided the deluge and the pitch was in fine condition. On what was mostly a pleasantly sunny day, conditions were good with a brisk breeze across the pitch.
After the early exchanges the game settled down in midfield with Heathfield in possession. Then some quick ruck ball was handed to Toby Simpson on a nice line near the breakdown and after surging into the home 22 he then looked to have provided a scoring pass – but it was adjudged forward.
However this was the start of a period of Heathfield dominance with this year’s captain Jo Lewis leading by example ball in hand and often calling the lineout ball to himself. This produced two penalties duly knocked over by Simpson.
Just when the visitors were starting to look comfortable with some neat handling near half way, a home flanker accurately read the situation and intercepted, leading to a home try on the right hand side (5-6).
Park House then charged into the left hand corner and secured a penalty when Heathfield debutant Horatio Hellewell was penalised for slapping the ball out of his opposing scrum half’s hand – resulting in a yellow card.
While Heathfield survived the next few minutes, eventually another penalty gave the home side a good attacking position and they duly exploited a lineout with an efficient catch and drive – albeit again missing the conversion.
However the rest of the half generally belonged to Heathfield. An attacking lineout in the bottom left hand corner looked promising but a handling error turned over possession. Nonetheless in the last minutes of the half effective contributions by Ben Irwin and another debutant Jasper Folkes ended with a try for Sam Walley, converted by Simpson.
The half time score of 10-13 reflected the closeness of the game thus far. The set piece was mostly even, particular credit to all the front row against normally difficult opponents, but the penalty count was increasingly against the home side - 8-4 at this stage.
However Heathfield had much the better of the second half. Tom Cornwall was making his welcome return after a long term injury and he now secured good turnover ball which went through multiple hands before Walley collected his second try on the day.
Park House did collect a penalty with three points to reduce the deficit to five. Then each side was hit by a yellow card. First Liam Dunkley was binned for retaliation after a promising Heathfield attack into the right hand corner was disrupted by improper tackles. Then a home player was sent to the naughty step for a high tackle – unsurprising given the increasing penalty count against his side.
Roughly fifteen minutes into the half Hellewell added to his memorable first appearance when he took a quick tap penalty and stepped his way through the home defence for his first senior try.
Then with about 15 minutes remaining a home attack into the right hand corner was turned over. The subsequent kick to the bottom touch line was retrieved by Dunkley and then Simpson arrived at the right moment to canter home under the posts for the bonus point try. (13-32)
While it looked as though the result was clear Park House were still competing well. A clever chip through resulted in another seven points.
Heathfield then completed their scoring when more good work, especially by Cornwall, was ended by Folkes working his way over to cap his first appearance appropriately.
Park House did have the last word with a forwards’ try from short range just before the final whistle to give them a bonus point. Heathfield will be concerned to have leaked three tries in the second half – but the highly paid analysts will doubtless explain all.
I can’t remember who was awarded man of the match but there were many worthy nominations including Walley, Simpson, Folkes, Irwin, Cornwall, and Hellewell – but I’ve probably missed someone.
After a week’s rest Heathfield next visit Worthing (2nds) in the Bob Rogers Cup (27 Sep 3.00) before resuming league action on 4th October when Ashford come calling.