Heathfield 36 Park House 12
Buoyed by the positive vibes from England’s outstanding World Cup semi-final win over the All Blacks, Heathfield secured a decisive five tries to two win over Park House in miserable conditions chiefly though a good team performance and by playing the right game in the circumstances.
This report will be short on detail since note taking on the touchline was severely curtailed by almost continuous rain throughout the game. Coupled with a steady breeze down the pitch this made for difficult playing conditions with the relative warmth being the only saving grace.
Park House had first use of the elements but Heathfield soon worked their way into the visitors’ half and had a period of pressure without being quite convincing at this stage.
Eventually Park House broke out and on their first visit to the home half secured a kickable penalty but this came back off an upright. They continued to press and then kicked a penalty to the left hand corner. From the ensuing lineout they worked their way over for the opening score (0-5).
Heathfield soon replied as they surged back into the visitors’ half and after several phases Lucas Cuming ran a fine line near the breakdown to touch down under the posts. He also had a decent day with the boot with four conversions, not all straightforward, and a penalty.
Just after the half hour Cuming was also instrumental in the next score when he harassed the visitors’ fly half who was dealing with slow ball from a scrum and then Dan Jones was on hand to finish well (14-5). Jones also made at least one lovely solo break and had a very decent game generally.
The half finished with another home try as Heathfield pressed into the top corner, partly from the increasing penalty count against the visitors, and Nick Cook was able to regather the ball after a messy lineout and then barged over under the sodden but happy home clubhouse balcony.
The home scrummage was having a good day, benefitting from having the same front row for the sixth game in a row which is a luxury unheard off for the last couple of seasons. Given the conditions the lineouts were always going to be difficult but Tom Cornwall normally found his jumpers with Cook being the main target.
In the second half Heathfield started to make good use of the conditions with sensible kicking out of hand and soon had the visitors under pressure. Fraser Goatcher caught the eye several times with some strong carries, sucking in defenders. The penalty count in the first half had been 3-7 against the visitors and now further offences led to a flanker being binned. Heathfield were just denied in the bottom corner by some stout defence but eventually the visitors conceded a kickable penalty for Cuming to extend the lead.
This was soon followed by a catch and drive from a lineout with Cornwall claiming the bonus point try (29-5).
Head Coach Dave Cook now ‘emptied the bench’ with Chester Stanyon, Tom Watkins and Archie Adams replacing Reece Webb, Henry Ross and Jones. All did well but Adams, who was making his debut senior appearance, was particularly commended by the coaches afterwards.
Heathfield continued to control the game, aided by an increasing penalty count against the visitors. Another try beckoned when Cornwall made a decisive break with one man to beat but his pass to Goatcher went to ground – discussions on the blame were still ongoing in the clubhouse later.
Heathfield finished their scoring when Cuming made a big run through the opposition and a chip ahead bobbled around on the visitors’ try line with Cornwall pouncing when the ball escaped the unfortunate last defender. Lucky perhaps but Cornwall is making his own luck this season.
Toby Simpson had moved to scrum half when Jones retired and he made another positive impression with some especially effective chips through, keeping the home pack on the front foot.
However, to their credit, Park House had the last word when good hands down the left flank were finally rewarded as their inside centre finished well. They have distinct potential in their backs but this was rarely seen as they mostly stuck to their perceived strength and style in the pack.
The Heathfield team today was one of the youngest fielded by the club for some years. The back division had four members under twenty, with two Colts on the bench. Harry Reilly, who had a solid game at fly half generally controlling play well, was slightly surprised to find himself the old man of the backs at the advanced age of 24.
In the pack hooker Dan Bird was especially noted afterwards for his efforts in tight and loose but all of the front row had a good day.
With skill and pace available out wide Heathfield would have liked to play a more expansive game but the conditions made this inadvisable. They won the game though containing the combative visiting pack and then sensible kicking out of hand allied with good lines of running near the breakdown. In drier conditions Heathfield would expect to have increased the score differential.
The side is enjoying the consistent selection week on week as it is rebuilding confidence after last season’s difficulties.
After a week’s rest to watch the World Cup Final, Heathfield next visit to Vigo whom they have never played before at any level (9 Nov 2.30).