Heathfield eventually collected a bonus point win over Deal in an excellently contested match reflecting the close competition at the top of the Counties 1 Kent league table. Deal had won the game at their place earlier in the season by just 7 points.
Conditions were remarkably good for late January with a mostly sunny day and little breeze. Nonetheless the surface, especially on the far side, was a sapping challenge to runners as Sussex clay took its toll.
Freedom of Information warning. The details below, especially with regard to who actually scored the tries, are based on best information available including my own obviously failing eyes. Other opinions are apparently available and I will delay updating the stats until everything is confirmed. (Good quality dry white wine is preferred, in case you were asking.)
Deal had some early pressure and soon collected three points. Heathfield were next on the front foot and, working the ball through several phases, an attack into the left hand corner was ended from short range by Jay Massey-Taylor diving in for the opening try.
Early on Heathfield were hit by two penalties at the scrum. Thereafter there were probably more penalties in this phase against the visitors. There were several senior members of the front row union in action today and I have received many varying explanations of what was going on, almost none of which are compatible. So the ref probably got it about right.
Much of the game was now in midfield with both team’s defences doing well as was the case throughout the game. However the home back row in particular were occasionally able to make good yards ball in hand and entering the second quarter a penalty allowed Toby Simpson to knock over a penalty.
At this stage Deal also handicapped themselves by some backchat to the referee on two occasions, costing them 10 yards each time. However Heathfield were also not helping themselves as I counted at least four occasions when a kick for touch from a penalty missed touch thus surrendering momentum and position.
Deal had the better of the end of the half as they built pressure with fly half Ollie Best as usual causing problems for the home defence. They duly earned a penalty in front of the home posts but rather than taking the easy three points available, bravely tapped and went, leading to a try on the right hand side.
The conversion gave a half time score of 8-10, reflecting a seriously well-contested game. Deal had the better of the set piece with their especially good lineout which rarely faltered and often upset the home operation.
Deal started the second half the stronger and were soon rewarded a penalty for which this time they chose to take the points. Next Heathfield gradually worked their way back into the visitors’ half with some decent interplay especially in the forwards and eventually built a position in the right hand corner for Tom Cornwall, from short range, to level the score at 13-13.
With my naturally gifted hindsight it is obvious that the game now swung decisively in the next twenty minutes. While both sides defences were still working well, Heathfield were building some momentum with Ben Irwin, having moved to scrum half, making a couple of huge runs down the right touchline and most of the game was in the visitors’ half.
This led to serious pressure on the visitors’ line and eventually Ross Widdett was binned for some malpractice at the breakdown. Widdett is a key part of the Deal lineout operation so this was a serious loss for them. The resulting Simpson penalty nudged Heathfield ahead 16-13.
Heathfield now hammered away on the visitors’ try line and almost inevitably Sam Walley continued his fine season with another try as he crashed over from short range and the Simpson conversion took the lead out to ten points.
Nobody told Deal they were beaten and an attack into the home 22 was only just contained. Simpson was then rightly binned for a high tackle but Heathfield contained the threat. They then worked their way back downfield and pressure resulted in another yellow card for the visitors. Heathfield scented a score and some more good handling interplay was ended by Jasper Folkes working his way over for the bonus point try. (I have been told there are other claimants for this score but see my earlier comments about try scorers’ jealousy).
In such a closely fought game it is hard to pick out the decisive factor but I would suggest that while both defences were mostly in control Heathfield managed more penetration, especially through their back row. The final score does not reflect the closeness of the contest but the referee afterwards commented that the Deal discipline had perhaps let them down in the last few minutes which exaggerated the difference if not the outcome.
The league table shows Sevenoaks II, Heathfield, Deal and Dover are covered by just three league points in a close contest for 2nd place with the first two due to play each other in a deferred match next Saturday. Notably Sevenoaks II and Heathfield have clearly superior points difference over the other two.
Deal had plenty of support today including those on the team coach who certainly made their very welcome presence felt in the clubhouse – yet another barrel of Guinness was noted being rolled into the cellar late on. Combined with the players from the Rangers game the clubhouse was a noisy, crowded and for home supporters anyway, happy place.
The Rangers had a fine 68-14 win over St Francis with plenty of players putting their hand up for 1st team consideration. It was also good to hear of many supporters for the Rangers on the bottom pitch at Waldron – country rugby at its finest.
Weather gods permitting next week’s game against Sevenoaks promises to be a serious and possibly significant contest (31 Jan 2.00).