Old Dunstonians 28 Heathfield 13
Old Dunstonians (ODs) were the clear and deserved winners of this London SE3 match by four tries to one. This was another loss for a young Heathfield side that continues to show promise but needs to start producing results.
The coach driver seemed to have a slightly different view of South London to most so Heathfield had a slightly shortened warmup but this would not have affected anything. Thankfully rain mostly stayed away and the pitch was in excellent condition. The home side chose to play up the slight slope and effectively won the game with their first half performance.
ODs started more positively and soon established good field position in the left hand corner. At the consequent lineout Oli Robertshaw was binned for alleged failure to roll away although the decision seemed questionable to many. ODs duly scored from the next lineout.
Heathfield did start to put some phases together with prop Reece Webb being noted with an especially effective carry and he went on to have a fine all round game. The visitors did open their account with a penalty by Sean Crozier. Full back Crozier has just returned to the club and had a very decent day all round scoring all of their points. He looked mostly secure under the high ball and often joined the back line to good effect.
Robertshaw now made an interception near the home 10m line and looked to have a good chance to go all the way but was unable to find his support and was hauled down by desperate defence just short so the chance was lost.
With 15 minutes left in the half ODs made a crucial score with good ball from an attacking lineout finding their blindside winger who did well to work his way through several tackles to dive over near the posts.
Heathfield again replied almost immediately with another Crozier penalty for what appeared to be a dangerous tackle that earned the culprit a lecture but no card.
The half time score of 14-6 was a fair reflection on the game thus far. ODs had been more clinical with their possession while Heathfield seemed too passive and had not kicked well enough to make use of the slope.
The scrummage was a good contest all day but the home side clearly had the edge in the lineout with good variations (and the benefit of some generous not straight calls). The OD backs often looked dangerous but somehow managed to over-complicate and the Heathfield defence generally held firm.
Owen Hayhurst retired at half time to be replaced by James Woodroofe. Hayhurst has been a very effective force in recent games and the team will look forward to his return in the New Year.
The Heathfield back division looked to be more effective for the return of Jack Morgan at inside centre and this led to Tom Tingley being more involved in the game, to generally good effect. This new combination of Harrison, Morgan, Tingley and Crozier looks very promising.
ODs made the probably decisive score with an early try in the second half from a clinically efficient lineout catch and drive.
Props Jack Ruddock and Shrek Watkins now replaced Fraser Goatcher and Reece Webb. It is a reflection of Heathfield’s current strength in this area that the scrummage remained a level contest and a secure source of ball.
ODs had several periods of pressure but the visitors’ defence generally looked in good order with skipper Gus Taylor making a welcome and useful reappearance.
The home lineout now initiated their final score as turnover ball was moved wide left and a centre completed probably the best try of the day, inevitably converted by the home kicker who had four out of four on the day.
However the remaining minutes belonged to Heathfield who now seemed to have more energy than the home side. Debutant Liam Waterhouse received the ball a couple of times and made good yards, only being stopped on one occasion by a poor high tackle. Quick ball was being produced and effectively used by Toby Simpson who had moved to scrum half. Then Tom Cornwall ran a lovely line in midfield and found Crozier in support for a consolation try.
Heathfield will look at their first half performance as being the origin of the defeat as they failed to pressure the home attackers with the sort of energy that they demonstrated later in the game.
Results elsewhere illustrate the competitive nature of this league. Although Heathfield have now slipped into the relegation zone we are not yet half way through the season and this young side will be looking to start producing the results of which they are clearly capable.
However next up are the undefeated league leaders Ashford at home on 7th December followed by what now looks like a seriously crunch game against old foes Uckfield the following week who had a notable win today.