Gillingham Anchorians 15 Heathfield 17
For the second week in a row Heathfield snatched a two point win with a try in the dying minutes of the game. A draw would not have been an unfair result given the balance of play but Heathfield will take pleasure from the way they again played for the full eighty minutes and refused to accept defeat.
Pre-match preparations were less than ideal partly due to late arrivals after the awkward cross-country drive. On a dry pitch with almost no wind conditions were excellent although the cold made for some inevitable handling errors. Regular readers of these reports will not be surprised to hear that there was slight slope diagonally from one corner to the other but neither team made particular use of that circumstance.
Early exchanges were relatively even with both sides showing a keenness to move the ball. Some of the Gillingham support play in particular caught the eye and it was becoming apparent that this was a better team than the one that Heathfield had hammered with 60 points earlier in the season.
A promising Heathfield attack into the top corner resulted in an attacking lineout but the throw went astray and the home side were able to clear their lines. Gillingham worked their way back down the pitch and twice used a chip ahead over the rushing defensive line to good effect. This attack ended with a visitors’ goal line drop out that was collected by the home left winger who ran back elusively and effective support play resulted in a good try although the relatively straightforward conversion was missed.
Heathfield just had the better of the second quarter with another attacking lineout in the top corner this time leading to Sam Crichton being held up. In his first game for a while Archie Adams had a busy day at scrum half while Bryn Jones and Sam Goatcher are combining well in midfield. Ed Koops was noted with some useful carries in heavy traffic.
The Heathfield lineout was doing rather better than last week (not difficult) albeit with the occasional misfire. The scrummage at this stage was fairly even with the visitors looking slightly more comfortable. Sean Crozier had a busy and useful day in the unaccustomed role of full back as the home side frequently used kick and chase tactics and he often needed all of his good footwork to evade chasing players.
Heathfield started the second half emphatically as good scrum ball was worked wide for Jack Brown to make good yards down the left wing and then quick recycled ball was moved back across the pitch for Crichton to work his way over although again the conversion was missed (5-5).
However the home side soon responded: a promising attack into the visitors’ 22 broke down with a knock on but they collected a penalty anyway to retake the lead (8-5).
Gillingham generally had the better of this period and often pressed into the visitors’ 22 resulting in a yellow for Toby Simpson for a no-arms tackle. They continued to press and it was no surprise when their sizeable 2nd row replacement was able to crash over under the posts from short range, this time converted (15-5).
The momentum in the game now started to swing back in Heathfield’s favour as they played with the necessary urgency. All three visitors’ replacements were used with positive results. Reece Webb came into the front row and Heathfield definitely had the better of that phase for the rest of the game. Dion Comerford came on at full back and made some telling carries. However the most impactful was Dylan Eames who lifted the pack’s energy levels as well as securing good lineout ball.
With ten minutes remaining Heathfield pressure into the left hand corner resulted in the home right winger being binned for some malpractice near his own try line. Then good scrum ball was again moved left and Sam Brown somehow wriggled through several opponents to claim an important try in the corner. At 15-10 any result was possible but Heathfield were looking stronger and Gillingham were hanging on with a man short.
Heathfield again pressed into the left hand corner and Jack Brown was over the try line but was carried back by numerous defenders - but then it might have been his brother Sam and Jack might have been the earlier try scorer - me, confused?! However after a few more phases Eames powered his way through several opponents for the decisive score that tied the game at 15-15. Crozier had missed the previous conversion from much the same place but this time his low flighted kick just had the legs to collect the winning two points.
With just two minutes remaining Gillingham will have hoped to snatch victory back and they did earn a penalty but it was just outside their kicker’s range so they went for the corner where Heathfield managed to disrupt their lineout and happily boot the ball into touch to end the game.
Gillingham should take much out of this game as well as their losing bonus point and their efficient support play will win them plenty of games. They also seemed to be able to break tackles too often for the visiting coaches’ comfort. The home inside centre, with a low centre of gravity, was especially noted in this respect as tacklers repeatedly seemed to bounce off him.
There was a very decent turnout of Heathfield supporters who made the trek up to the North Kent coast. They included several members of the Heathfield Ladies team who were also joined by other friends including Shaunagh Brown, Harlequins and England player. When asked for comments about the game she offered some professional and kind words - but I can’t read my notes and have forgotten what she said. (Note to self – must do better when talking to celebrities!)
Next week Heathfield entertain Southwark Lancers to whom they lost earlier in the season (29 Jan 2.00). For the sake of coaches’ and supporters’ hearts it is to be hoped that the team does not again leave winning the game until the dying moments.