Maidstone 7 Heathfield 35
Thanks to Bryan Lintott for some pics
Heathfield secured a six try away win to continue their current good run of results. However without taking anything away from a game Maidstone side Heathfield will feel rather frustrated at their failure to collect more scores in the last quarter of the game.
On a dry pitch a steady but chill breeze was generally with the distinct slope which runs diagonally across the pitch and the home side had first use of the conditions.
Almost immediately Heathfield had a chance in the top corner as the ball was worked wide but the final pass went wrong just a few yards out. However they were called back to a penalty on the other side of the pitch and from the resulting lineout in the right hand corner Dan Bird was able to work his way over for the opening try.
Another visitors’ attack into the top corner again went wrong as a sign of a pattern of errors that bedevilled the visitors throughout the game. Maidstone now countered with a big kick ahead by their right wing and somehow it was adjudged that Heathfield had carried the ball back over their line. From the ensuing scrummage Maidstone ran a set move to score under the posts. (7-5)
Indeed Maidstone had a number of good attacks chiefly through their fly half and inside centre who were managing to break through too many tackles for Heathfield’s liking albeit without really threatening the try line thanks to good cover defence.
On the half hour Sean Crozier knocked over a penalty to give Heathfield the lead. Either side of that Heathfield had attacks into both corners but the home defence also just proved adequate at this stage.
The game was generally fluid with both sides trying to move the ball when possible. Skipper Gus Taylor had a particularly good first half with several steals in the tackle while Fraser Goatcher and Sam Crichton both made multiple useful carries.
Shortly before half time Heathfield again pressed into the right hand corner and were just denied although the home tight head was now binned for offside. Soon the Heathfield scrum was looking likely to collect a pushover try when control was lost at the base although possession was retained and Dion Comerford was on hand to touch down in heavy traffic.
The set piece was generally even. The Heathfield lineout in particular was working well with Ed Koops taking some excellent high catches. Nonetheless he was replaced at the interval by Dylan Eames although he returned to the fray later and also made some useful carries.
The home side had not made much use of the conditions by seeking to kick to the bottom corner with the breeze. Heathfield were to do rather better in this respect in the second half. Indeed the half opened with an attacking Heathfield lineout in that bottom corner and Crichton powered his way over.
Soon afterwards Heathfield went close in the right hand corner but were driven into touch. However Maidstone failed to control the ball from the lineout and as the ball rolled around in-goal Bird dived on it for his second try on the day and the bonus point for the team.
Another attack into that same corner was just repelled but a tap penalty was quickly moved left and Tom Cornwall muscled his way over.
With the score 7-30 and over twenty minutes remaining things were looking ominous for Maidstone. However they refused to buckle and nearly scored against the run of play when slow Heathfield lineout ball was intercepted by a flanker but the cover defence contained the threat.
Heathfield had most of the possession in this period but contrived to lose the ball too often in the tackle. The cold wind made handling difficult and Maidstone deserve credit for their defensive efforts but Heathfield need to be more accurate and clinical when clearly in control.
Eames made several characteristic charges ball in hand but was just being contained. One more try did come five minutes from time when good hands found Toby Simpson on the left wing and he finished well.
Heathfield will be pleased with the low penalty count of six against them, their lowest this season. They are developing a useful winning streak but today showed that there is plenty of room for improvement.
Heathfield Vets had shared the coach to Maidstone with the 1st team and they also collected a win over the home vets (12-24) so it will have been a happy and probably noisy return trip.
Next week Heathfield visit Pulborough (19 Feb 2.30).