This fluctuating and entertaining Counties 1 Kent league match was won by Heathfield with both sides scoring three tries but the visitors collected one extra penalty and probably took their chances better.
In spite of serious recent rain the pitch was in excellent condition and fears of a muddy arm-wrestle were soon dispelled. The mild breeze was not a factor.
As the game settled down it was apparent that these were two well-drilled – and well-matched teams. Heathfield started brightly and worked through several phases into the home 22 before being held up in the left hand corner. However more pressure led to a straightforward penalty which Toby Simpson duly knocked over.
Almost immediately Ashford were awarded a kickable penalty but they chose to go for the corner only for the kick to fall short. The visitors’ clearance kick was run back and another penalty provided an even easier chance which was duly accepted to level the score after ten minutes.
The defences of both sides looked to be containing their opponents for much of the next period but entering the second quarter the home scrum half, Harvard Fitzmaurice, made a big break which was taken on into the right hand corner. Just when a score looked likely a knock-on ruined the chance. However a Heathfield kick out of defence was run back towards the left hand corner and the visitors’ coaches will be disappointed at a couple of missed tackles which allowed a try by the home left wing, well converted.
Heathfield Coach Sam Goatcher now started to use his bench with Chris Baker-Butler and Tom Tingley (making a welcome return from long term injury) coming on. Baker-Butler soon made a key contribution in ruining a home lineout. Subsequent pressure on the home 22 produced a straightforward penalty chance for Simpson to reduce the deficit to 10-6.
At half time the result was very open to question. Heathfield had a slight edge in the scrum while both sides generally secured their own lineout. Heathfield half-backs were swapping positions according to the situation and in response to the threat from the dangerous home combination. A minor point maybe, but on three occasions Ashford failed to find touch when going for the corner from penalties – in a close game cumulative small errors can make a big difference.
Early in the second half a penalty gave Heathfield a good attacking position and secure lineout ball from skipper Jo Lewis was taken on by Sam Walley who dived over to give the visitors the lead, converted by Simpson.
Ashford now had several useful attacks. A 50/22 kick provided one good platform but again the visitors’ defence proved up to the task. What looked a threatening cross-kick by the home fly-half was rightly ruled out for offside.
At the end of the third quarter good lineout ball was quickly moved wide with a lovely cut-out pass by Ben Irwin finding Zac Coxen who finished well near the left hand corner, finely converted by Simpson. However just when Heathfield may have started to think that a ten point cushion would be enough, Ashford hacked ahead at the breakdown and then had the pace to follow up for their second try, although the conversion was missed.
The outcome was clearly in the balance with just a five point difference and the next score would probably be decisive. More secure lineout ball was driven on before Walley emerged to charge over for his second try on the day and to restore a ten point gap.
Ashford were not daunted and, urged on by the decent home crowd, they looked to be building a threatening drive towards the visitors’ line but a knock on just short ended those hopes. Nonetheless they kept the pressure on and with about four minutes left an efficient lineout catch and drive produced a try with the conversion reducing the gap to three points.
Most of the last minutes were in the home half and Heathfield held on to their narrow advantage to the final whistle.
The home coaches gave particular mention to Fitzmaurice, Aiden Blyth and to their replacement prop Mukuhang Tawa who had a fine all round game. For Heathfield Walley continues to have a noteworthy season, not just in collecting tries. With Tingley’s return to action the competition for places in the back row is pleasingly fierce and attendance at training critical.
The game was notable for the low penalty count – barely ten across both teams in the whole game – reflecting well on all involved including the referee Mike Ellis who was keen to keep the game flowing.
In this competitive league away wins are crucial and this result keeps Heathfield in fifth place close behind Dover, Sevenoaks II and Deal who visit Cross In Hand next Saturday. Heathfield just lost at Deal back in October so this promises to be another good contest (24 Jan 2.00).