Heathfield 13 Dover 27
Thanks to Roger Cuming for his excellent pics
Dover secured a bonus point win over a Heathfield side weakened by injury and Covid. The visitors have been having a difficult season because of the devastation of their clubhouse by flooding but their team spirit was clear. By contrast Heathfield with a small squad are suffering from a lengthy injury list and several players still isolating following positive Covid tests.
For December conditions were excellent with a variable breeze down the slight slope on a good surface. Dover sensibly chose to play against the conditions initially. On a cold day handling was always difficult resulting in numerous knock-ons.
Almost immediately Heathfield opened the scoring with a Sean Crozier penalty but Dover soon charged back with their three-quarters looking distinctly effective. The visitors established a good position on the left hand side and when quick ball was moved blind Archie Adam nearly pulled off a great interception. In reality he received a yellow card for a deliberate knock on and a penalty try was awarded – harsh but arguably fair.
As the game settled down most of the action was in midfield with neither side taking control. Then decent scrum ball was moved wide left where Toby Simpson worked his way through several tackles before recycled ball was moved wide right and Jeyden Rainbow charged over for a very decent try – scored even while the team was a man short.
Max Faulkner-Bryant on his debut for the 1st team had to retire at this point through injury and was replaced by Ollie Tooke.
Dover finished the half strongly and worked the ball through several phases before their fly half barged over from short range for a half time score of 8-14.
The set piece was something of a mixed bag. Heathfield were hugely dependent on Dylan Eames in the lineout where he was excellent with Tom Cornwall also stealing a couple of opposition throws. In the scrum neither side dominated - Dover had a couple of big nudges but also gave away two penalties when apparently on top.
Heathfield started the second half strongly and established good position in the left hand corner. A routine lineout catch and drive gave Cornwall a try at the back of the maul – although the conversion just drifted wide. A few minutes later Dover extended their slight lead with a penalty when Munch May collected his second yellow card in two weeks in front of the posts.
Again while a man short Heathfield did not leak any more points. Simpson had another interesting if not penetrative run and Rainbow was noted with one especially thumping tackle.
Entering the last quarter of the game Dover made the decisive score when good scrum ball was worked into the left hand corner for a good wingers’ try (13-22).
Needing two scores for a result Heathfield now started to get some momentum in their forward drives with Fraser Goatcher being prominent. However as they reached the visitors’ 22, play had to be halted as Goatcher appeared to receive a nasty injury involving leg and neck. Since he could not be moved while the due processes were followed the game was moved to the Wilson-Rhodes field for the concluding 15 minutes.
Heathfield will feel that this deprived them of the momentum that could have produced a result. However Dover had much the better of the remaining time and collected a well-taken bonus point try from a strong scrummage allowing their number 8 to charge over.
There was just time for Heathfield to make one last attack only to be denied when David Murdoch was binned for a no-arms clear-out – the seventh Heathfield yellow in two matches. Indeed the second half was marked by double figure penalties by both sides and the referee, who normally operates at several levels higher, will have been disappointed in the technical skills on display.
Dover were justifiably pleased after the game. Their tribulations with their clubhouse have put a huge strain on them as a club and their team showed excellent spirit which will stand them in good stead for the rest of the season.
Heathfield are having something of a dip at present. They have not suddenly become a poor side but injuries and Covid have exposed weaknesses in the playing depth in specific areas which will not have been improved by today’s events. There are a couple of technical aspects that can be addressed – for instance today’s first up tackling, especially in midfield, was poor which coincided with an area of particular strength for the visitors.
Next week Heathfield visit Vigo who are having a mixed but generally improving season so Heathfield will need all fit bodies on duty (11 Dec 2.00)