Folkestone 12 Heathfield 5
On a very good rugby day Folkestone just defeated Heathfield in an excellent and entertaining game with the outcome unclear until the final whistle. Conditions were remarkably good for January with a slight breeze across a firm and dry pitch and both teams responded by trying to play 15 man rugby.
Folkestone started strongly and indeed initially most of the play was in the visitors’ half. Folkestone had plentiful possession at this stage and it was soon clear that they have an effective back division who often ran challenging lines. Also in this period they frequently kicked to the left hand corner with their young winger Freddie Faiers always looking dangerous.
However the Heathfield defensive organisation has been increasingly impressive this season and Folkestone were generally contained with Dan Jones and Harry Reilly being noted with some important tackles. Heathfield did manage to kick directly to Faiers near the left hand touchline and he went off on a mazy run beating multiple tacklers before being brought down on the right touchline near the visitors’ 22.
One of the reasons that Heathfield were competitive at this stage was the lineout where Henry Ross had an outstanding day stealing multiple Folkestone throws and generally securing his own. Combined with the defensive work Heathfield gradually worked their way back and finally reached the home 22 at the end of the first quarter but the move ended with a home penalty.
Folkestone continued to look threatening with their captain Seyhan Fell scorching down the left touchline but his chip ahead was just too long. Soon afterwards another home backs move looked likely to put Faiers away but the final pass was botched.
The scrummage was an excellent contest all day with Heathfield gradually achieving an edge towards the end of the first half as the home tight head was being forced to stand up, albeit without being penalised.
The half ended with another rare visit to the home half by Heathfield and a penalty chance for Harry Reilly – but it just drifted past the left hand post. So the half ended scoreless which gives an unfair impression of highly competitive contest.
A few minutes into the second half veteran replacement Matt Roots came into the front row to help stabilise that phase for the home team.
Shortly afterwards Folkestone opened the scoring with a well taken try. A penalty gave them an attacking lineout on the visitors’ 22 on the left hand side and secure ball was moved wide with good hands for Fell to touch down in the right hand corner.
The home side now suffered a blow as Faiers had to retire with an injury. Heathfield also made some changes with Fergus Keegan and Jack Morgan being replaced by Sam Crichton and Toby Harrison. Keegan had put in a very effective shift and the team are sorry to lose him for the rest of the season for work reasons. Reilly moved to inside centre so Harrison could come to fly half where he had a busy and creative day along with some useful tackling.
Folkestone completed their scoring with a similar try to their first as good ball on the left flank was quickly moved wide for Fell to canter over, and then convert for the 12-0 lead. Fell was their standout player as he has been for some years – it remains puzzling, to me at least, why Heathfield managed to kick directly to him so often.
However with over twenty minutes remaining Folkestone were unable to close the game out as Heathfield finished the stronger and more of the game was in the home half. The home side were attempting to run out of their own 22 when Harrison stripped the ball from his opponent and it was quickly moved right for Toby Simpson to finish well in the right hand corner.
With the gap just seven points Heathfield could sniff a result and were attacking with more conviction than previously. Folkestone were helped by their lineout having a better second half although their scrummage was still creaking somewhat.
Tom Tingley had been having a typically athletic and effective day but he now startled the opposition as he surged down the touchline from his own half, right below the home supporters on the clubhouse balcony, and looked to be heading for an outstanding try in the corner. However he was hauled down a few yards short by a tackle back by a home second row showing great commitment and pace for someone in that role. That was a special piece of work by both players.
There had been some crunching tackles by both sides leaving spectators wincing. James Woodroofe collected two massive hits about now and showed considerable resilience to finish the game just slightly splintered.
Most of the last few minutes were spent in the home half as Heathfield looked for at least a share of the spoils. However they now started to be penalised as runners were just too far from their support when tackled and the home defenders were able to get hands on the ball leading to penalties for not release. Folkestone were also helped by Roots uncanny ability to lie over the breakdown without attracting sanction.
It would not be fair to say that Folkestone were hanging on in the last minutes but their supporters were certainly glad to hear the final whistle.
Folkestone remain on course for promotion and Heathfield wish them well in that respect although we would much miss playing against a club with whom we have excellent relations and which is very similar in ethos.
It is a mark of how this Heathfield side had developed this season that they were disappointed at only collecting a losing bonus point when the relative league table positions might have suggested an easy home win.
Heathfield skipper Gus Taylor had yet another huge day especially in the loose. The front row of Fraser Goatcher, Dan Bird and Reece Webb had another good day with Bird being especially noted for his defensive work.
The game as a whole was a fine advertisement for rugby at this level with excellent skill and commitment but played in the right spirit. This also reflects well on the referee who had unobtrusive but calm control of the game.
Next Saturday Heathfield entertain Pulborough to whom they had a narrow loss back in October (1 Feb 2.30pm).