Heathfield returned to second place in the Counties 1 Kent league with another try bonus point win over Dover although the final margin was close. In a fluctuating game the home backs just overcame the strong visitors’ set piece.
Conditions were excellent with little wind on a dry, cloudy day. There was a good covering of grass over a firm surface although it was taking a stud in spite of the lack of recent serious rain.
Heathfield played down the slight slope initially. Dover were immediately on the front foot with Heathfield errors and a penalty giving them an attacking lineout in the top corner. The visitors’ set piece was an important strength for them on the day and they duly drove good lineout possession over for the opening score, well converted from wide out.
However within a couple of minutes Heathfield replied as scrum possession was worked wide, reaching Toby Simpson near the right hand bottom corner but with three defenders in close attendance. A couple of side steps later he was in for a superb try to which he naturally added the conversion.
These two scores provide appropriate illustrations of how the game was to unfold. The mostly secure Dover set piece was countered by the potent threat of the home back division.
However at this stage Heathfield were handicapping themselves with multiple penalties. Approaching the end of the first quarter the penalty count of 6-1 against them could easily, and perhaps should, have resulted in a yellow card.
The game was now fluctuating all over the pitch with both sides having chances. A promising Dover attack into the top corner broke down and Heathfield broke out through Jay Massey-Taylor and Harry Slinnhawkins with Horatio Hellewell eventually touching down under the posts, Simpson naturally converting.
A few minutes later scrum possession was worked through wide through a couple of phases before Massey-Taylor finished well in heavy traffic. At this stage Heathfield were looking dangerous every time they had the ball.
With a few minutes left in the half Dover had a decent attack into the top corner and looked, according to some home supporters, to have scored but the referee decided that the ball had been knocked on in the act of scoring. Given the closeness of the final score this may have been a critical decision.
The half time score of 19-7 was clearly not decisive with Dover to have the benefit of the slight slope in the second half. The visitors had a clear advantage in the scrum while their lineout, after a couple of early wobbles, was generally efficient. Heathfield were probably shading the breakdown.
Early in the second half Dover will have been handicapped by their experienced fly half having to retire through injury. Nonetheless they soon established a promising attacking position in the bottom right hand corner. Their scrum was driving forward with a score looking likely but they were then penalised for lifting in the front row and the chance was gone.
On a couple of occasions now Dover attacks were turned over and run back. On the second one Simpson went close in the top corner. This time rare scrum possession was moved into midfield and after a couple of phases Jasper Folkes characteristically muscled his way over for the bonus point try as the game entered the last quarter. (26-7)
The last quarter was dominated by Dover as they finally started to exploit their advantage in the scrum. Tight head Dylan Eames was now binned for malpractice in the front row. Eames was widely praised afterwards for taking on this role in the front row in which he did well but for which he is not really suited. Once a referee has formed a picture about a front row situation it is difficult to change their mind. As today’s ref moved to one side, the experienced visitors’ props took advantage on the other and multiple penalties resulted leading to the yellow. No complaints here – I would (and have) done the same.
Unsurprisingly Dover immediately benefitted from the extra man with a clinical lineout catch and drive. (26-14)
Nonetheless Heathfield soon replied as they scrambled possession from a scrum and good hands ended with Sam Walley claiming a try with barely ten minutes left.
Again Dover collected yet another try from their efficient lineout catch and drive and at 31-21 they will have been thinking about a famous comeback. However in the fluctuating nature of this match Heathfield now went close and Harry Westgate will be irritated that he fumbled a clear chance just a yard out.
In the last moments another Dover lineout on the left hand corner was well controlled and eventually a flanker (or winger?) dived into the corner for their losing and try bonus points and to end the game.
Folkes continues to make a strong impression, not least on opposing defences, with his strong carrying. Amongst others Hellewell was considered to have had a decent game while Westgate was also noted for his combative involvement and useful kicking game.
Heathfield will take particular pleasure from the Rangers result today. A 35-20 win over Holbrook was very pleasing with the team composed of a wide range of age, experience and ability. A strong second team is essential for the support of the 1st team.
Next week the Rangers have a Sussex Cup game away at St Leonards.
Meanwhile the 1st team have a two week break before the trip to Gillingham who had a noteworthy win away at Beccehamians today. (8 Nov 2.00)