As expected for a local derby between two well-matched sides this was a tense close game which was only secured by Heathfield in the last few minutes.
Conditions were better than might have been expected after the volume of rainfall on Thursday but the well-grassed pitch was still a cloying surface for runners.
The excellent pre-match lunch was graced by Gareth Edwards, scorer of one of rugby’s greatest tries, who entertained the room with his description of that occasion and much else besides. It was also much appreciated that he took time to talk to everyone.
By contrast it has to be said that today’s game will soon be forgotten apart from the outcome. This is not to denigrate the efforts of those involved but two well-matched sides on a heavy surface in a local derby was never likely to produce much flowing rugby.
Heathfield probably edged the opening skirmishes with most of the play in the home half but two promising situations were spoiled by a wonky lineout and then a penalty.
However just before the end of the first quarter good scrum ball was moved wide and quick ruck ball was exploited by Ben Irwin with a chip into the right hand corner where Toby Simpson brushed off two defenders to touch down.
The penalty count against the home side had been rising (6-3) so it was no surprise when their number 8 was now binned for some malpractice at the breakdown – although I did hear some suggestions that the ref had the wrong man.
Naturally Heathfield continued to have the better of play with the extra man and were just foiled by a forward pass. Just when it looked as though Crowborough might have survived the yellow card period Heathfield turned over a home scrum and persistent pressure into the left hand corner was capped by Jasper Folkes characteristically muscling his way over from short range. Simpson converted impressively.
With barely five minutes left in the half Crowborough used a penalty to achieve a good position in the right hand corner and an efficient catch and drive was duly rewarded.
In the last moments of the half Harry Slinnhawkins made a fine counterattack from deep but then spoiled it with some unnecessary behaviour which resulted in a yellow.
The half time score of 5-12 was a fair reflection of the game to date. Heathfield had a slight edge in the scrum while the home lineout looked to be one of their strengths.
Much of the second half involved serious endeavour and commitment by both sides without anyone managing to break free of the pressing defences. Crowborough were more on the front foot and most of the play was in the visitors’ half but there were no significant line breaks. The home side did go close in the left hand corner but were thwarted by a penalty allowing Heathfield to work their way back upfield.
With less than fifteen minutes remaining an innocuous tackle situation quickly escalated into a mass brawl. Once calm was restored the ref binned both captains which seemed to have the desired effect and there were no further handbags. The referee, Mark Shaw from Kent, in his first season at this level was afterwards generally thought to have had a very decent game.
From the resulting penalty Crowborough pressed into the left hand corner and Tom Cornwall was now binned. The penalty count in this half was massively against Heathfield so this was understandable. Crowborough will have been optimistic of at least a match tieing score from this situation but somehow the green defensive wall held which was probably decisive.
Indeed as the clock clicked down Heathfield built into the home 22 through several phases and eventually Irwin worked his way over under the posts. Simpson duly converted.
Afterwards, apart from those mentioned above, Head Coach Sam Goatcher gave particular mention to Sam Walley for his all round contribution. There was general agreement that the game had been decided by the visitors’ defence for which all involved take credit.
At the halfway point in the league program Heathfield enter the winter break in 5th place in Counties 1 Kent and will be looking to at least hold onto that position. They next return to action when Park House visit Cross In Hand (10 Jan 2.00).