Bromley 29 Heathfield 5
Bromley deservedly won this top of the SE3 league table clash that was played in miserable conditions with a stiff breeze, occasional rain and near freezing temperatures. After an incident-free first half Heathfield had a terrible start to the second half which was probably the critical moment. They then had another bad few minutes part way through the half by which time they had lost the referee and the contest.
Heathfield fielded a much changed side, especially in the pack, because of Covid and injuries with several playing out of position. Three Covid cases within the squad this week had raised the possibility that the fixture would be postponed but finally Head Coach Dave Cook decided not to take that option. We want people playing rugby – not just trying to game the regulations for short term league advantage.
There was a very decent level of away support given the poor conditions with a good number of the Heathfield Ladies side making the journey up the A21 along with several injured male players.
Playing down the slope Bromley had some early pressure and were rewarded with a kickable penalty but it drifted wide. The visitors started to get into the game with a couple of good runs, notably by Sam Brown who was on the flank today rather than his accustomed front row role. Another promising attack saw the ball reach Sam Williams with a little space and it took a good covering tackle to stop him.
Given the strong wind there was plentiful kicking by both sides so Dion Comerford at full back had a busy and generally sound day with good positioning and securing of high balls. Given the freezing windy damp conditions handling was always difficult so there were multiple handling errors and consequently lots of scrums where the home side had a distinct edge although never dominant. This meant that Lars Thorkildsen, in the unaccustomed role of no 8, had to deal with some difficult ball at the base of the scrum.
In the last few minutes of the half Bromley finally opened the scoring from a penalty. Heathfield then also had a chance but the ball just drifted past the near post.
The penalty count in the first half was high and Heathfield also came off worse in that respect (6-9). Overall it can be said the half time score line of 3-0 probably overstates the excitement of the game to that point.
Heathfield were doing better in the lineouts where the return of Dylan Eames made a big difference. Eames was also one of the visitors’ most effective players in the loose with strong carries and defensive work.
Bromley secured the ball from the start of the second half and good hands nearly collected a try but the final pass went wrong. They were also aided by an apparent lack of concentration by Heathfield at this point and, it has to be said, some poor tackling. In a subsequent scramble near the visitors try line Eames was binned for malpractice at the breakdown. Bromley chose to take a scrum rather than the easy three points on offer and a couple of minutes later were rewarded with a converted try.
There was no further damage while a man short and indeed Bryn Jones made a lovely break from good scrum possession. The ball reached Toby Simpson, on as a replacement on the right wing, and it took a fine cover tackle to prevent a try.
There had been several off-the-ball incidents between the Heathfield front row and one of the home props which were not addressed by the referee so the game was becoming tetchy. When a frustrated Munch May queried a referee’s decision it was no surprise that he was immediately binned. In the next play Heathfield were effectively disrupting a Bromley attack when Brown was correctly adjudged to have deliberately knocked on. As is often the case nowadays it was a harsh call but another yellow was inevitable.
With a two man edge Bromley duly took advantage with a try in the left hand corner and even when numbers were equalised a few minutes later they collected another with good handling on their right wing where they often looked dangerous.
Thankfully Heathfield refused to lie down and scored a decent try of their own as the ball was worked through several phases before Dan Bird found Simpson who finished well in the right hand corner.
By now darkness was descending – the earlier 2.00 ko next week can’t come soon enough – and Bromley were somehow adjudged to have collected their bonus point try under a heap of bodies.
Heathfield will be smarting from this result. This is no disrespect to Bromley who were worthy winners on the day as they managed the conditions and referee better but circumstances meant that this was not a proper Heathfield performance and they will look forward to the return in Sussex in the balmy days of next March.
For the third week in a row Heathfield 2nd team were denied a game for a variety of reasons. This is not good for the game as otherwise willing players will eventually find something else to do on a Saturday afternoon.
Next Saturday Heathfield entertain Dover who have been having a middling season but who were boosted today by a walk over against Southwark Lancers whose variable performances have already hurt Heathfield this season. (4 Dec 2.00)