Cranbrook 17 Heathfield 11
(Pics credit Per Thorkildsen - and some more added from Florence Atherton from Cranbrook)
Cranbrook eventually finished clear winners of this keenly fought contest between two neighbourly clubs with much in common. In still and sunny conditions on an excellent surface the home side just failed to secure a try bonus point and in the process allowed the visitors to travel home with a welcome losing bonus point.
Following a Covid scare during the week, Heathfield fielded a starting 15 with six changes from the previous week chiefly for nuptial reasons so there was an opportunity for some other squad players to make their case to the coaching staff.
The opening period was rather frantic with errors and turnovers. An early scrum initially suggested that Cranbrook might have an edge in that phase but throughout the game the referee seemed to take exception to some aspect of their scrummaging technique and Heathfield collected several penalties thereby. Cranbrook were looking dangerous with some strong carries by their forwards which Heathfield initially struggled to contain.
A period of broken play in midfield ended with a strong run by a Cranbrook flanker who took advantage of some poor tackling before finally being stopped a few yards out under the visitors posts. A resulting penalty was quickly moved left for a good try in the corner although the conversion was missed. (5-0)
Tom Tingley was making a significant impact on his first competitive appearance this season after recovery from an injury. He did some good lineout work and was making useful yards ball in hand which helped Heathfield to start putting pressure back onto the home side.
Sam Brown had to retire briefly for a blood injury which allowed Ollie Tooke to make his first appearance in senior rugby. He was up against a very decent opposition front row and did well.
On the half hour more Heathfield pressure now led to a straightforward penalty chance and Sean Crozier duly collected the points. (5-3)
The referee was becoming irritated with the level of backchat and both teams were warned that any more would lead to a card. This seemed to have an impact for at least two minutes.
The home side finished the half the stronger with a period of pressure on their right hand side in which they drove good lineout ball towards the line but knocked on as they went for the line.
Early in the second half Cranbrook scored an important try as they went through several phases to arrive at a breakdown in front of the visitors posts and their scrum half grabbed some loose ball to dive through to the line – although some thought he collected the ball from a clear knock on.
Heathfield again replied almost immediately with another Crozier penalty. This was the start of a period of Heathfield pressure although the side was disrupted by an injury to Crozier and a blood injury to Reece Webb.
Nonetheless a drive up to the home five metre line was well-exploited as good hands moved the ball left through Sam Goatcher and Sam Shillabeer who found Archie Adams to finish clinically. The conversion went wide to leave Cranbrook just one point ahead at 12-11.
Heathfield continued to have much of the game with some impressive driving by the forwards with Sam Crichton, Tingley and skipper Tom Cornwall in particular putting the home side on the back foot. However a match winning score would not come and eventually Cranbrook worked their way back up the pitch. This was probably the turning point in the contest.

Their fly half had been noted throughout the game with his kicking and a penalty now allowed him to produce a massive kick into the bottom corner near the home clubhouse. A couple of lineouts and penalties later they worked their way over for an important score, although again the conversion was missed (17-11) There were some minor handbags at this point and the rest of the game was marked by some tetchiness by both sides.
Cranbrook finished the stronger and with just a few minutes left had a penalty opportunity on the visitors 22. If they had taken the points that would have denied Heathfield a losing bonus point. However, to their credit, they went for the corner in search of the try bonus point. They duly drove over the line but were adjudged to have been held up.
Once the referee had been properly informed about the law change which implied a drop out in this situation Heathfield were able to scramble the ball away. The game ended soon afterwards albeit with some more minor handbags.
The previous week Cranbrook had travelled to Southwark with a weakened side and duly came second. This week Heathfield did something similar, in contrast to their stellar performance in the first league week when they smashed Crawley – who today remarkably beat Pulborough. There are still three teams unbeaten but it is not yet clear just what they have beaten so the league is looking intriguing.
Next Saturday Heathfield entertain Old Dunstonians who are another team with a mixed record thus far in the season. (2 Oct 3.00pm)