Heathfield continued their unbeaten start to the season with a home bonus point win over Ashford to leave them in second place in the table on points difference behind already-likely league winners Old Elthamians.
Ground conditions were good with recent heavy rain allowing the previously hard ground to take a stud, and a decent grass covering. However the unusually strong wind down the pitch was a massive influence on the match.
The opening plays gave a sample of what was to come with frequent high kicks leading to messy situations. It was noticeable that both sides played better into the wind. Only in the last few minutes Heathfield finally made sensible use of it which could have eased pressure much earlier.
With the wind and slope in their favour Ashford started well and soon opened the scoring with a penalty. However Heathfield immediately replied when a tap penalty was worked through a couple of phases before the ball reached Tom Cornwall in mid-field and he made good yards before finding Jack Pincus who still had some work to do before crashing over near the posts, Toby Simpson converting.
At this stage play was all over the pitch. Ashford did cross the try line but were adjudged to have been held up. Heathfield were starting to play some decent rugby with their off-loading game being effective. Liam Dunkley made one impactful run from a tight situation.
It was noticeable that both teams, when playing into the wind, often chose to tap penalties in midfield rather than try to go for a lineout a few yards upfield. Ashford collected another penalty from a tackle situation but the home side were starting to look increasingly dangerous ball in hand.
A penalty provided a good attacking lineout in the left hand corner. From a set move Jasper Folkes looked to have boshed his way over but he was penalised for crawling the last yards over the line. Nonetheless with ten minutes left in the half a tap penalty was now carried on well by George Hayter amongst others before Simpson ended exuberantly in the top corner under the home balcony.
The penalty count had been rising against the visitors and they had received a warning from the referee so it was no surprise when one of their second row was now binned for a high tackle. Heathfield continued to look good ball in hand with Folkes making repeated runs to gain ground and keep his team on the front foot. Eventually this enabled Jay Massey-Taylor to work his way over for the third try, impressively converted by Simpson into the strong breeze.
A half time score of 19-6 with the wind and slope to come in their favour will have been pleasing to the home coaches but the outcome was by no means clear. On a difficult day for throwing in neither side dominated the lineout while Ashford had a slight edge in the scrum but Heathfield always secured their own ball.
The second period opened with a strong run by Harry Slinnhawkins into the bottom right hand corner but his last pass went astray. From the resulting lineout Dylan Eames was held up. However the dropout was run back and slick handling put Massey-Taylor in for his second on the day and the try bonus point. (26-6)
Any idea that the home team could run away with the game was soon dispelled as Cornwall was now binned for another high tackle. This may have encouraged the visitors who now had their best period in the game with two tries in five minutes. First their skipper, and one of their best performers on the day Aiden Blyth, ran a strong line in the centre to touch down near the posts. Then a penalty provided a good attacking position and they worked their way over from short range.
At 26-18 another score by the visitors would have been worrying but with Cornwall back on Heathfield finished the stronger. A good attacking position in the bottom corner was just defended but a counter-attack was turned over and Ben Irwin worked his way through the defence before finding Aiden Plumley who needed no encouragement to muscle his way through the last despairing defenders.
In the last few minutes Heathfield were generally on top, helped not least by a monstrous 50/22 kick by Slinnhawkins although the consequent attack was held up and the final whistle went soon afterwards.
There was a complete lack of agreement afterwards as to the best performers on the day with almost everyone getting a mention. However Coach Sam Goatcher picked out Ollie Tooke who as usual held his own in the scrum while also doing much inconspicuous but critical work at close quarters. Cornwall received many mentions on the occasion of receiving his 100th cap for the team. Additionally Tooke and Rees Webb were both hailed for achieving 75 caps. Hayter, Folkes, Plumley and Irwin were among others being picked out.
Results elsewhere in the league continue to present a confusing picture. However it is clear that Heathfield’s game next week, away to Deal will go some way to clarifying the top of the league table. Deal today had an impressive away win at Beccehamians and have only lost in the league to Old Elthamians.
The team will travel to Deal by coach and seats are available for any supporters.