Heathfield eventually squeezed past Hove in this first round of the RFU Pappa John Cup in an entertaining, not to say heart-stopping, game that went to extra time. Heathfield scored six tries to Hove’s five.
Hove had finished their league season in Surrey in seventh place as had Heathfield in the Kent version so a close contest looked likely.
Looking at the teams before the game it was apparent that Hove had a more mature team with an average age of just over 30 and a youngest player of 23. By contrast Heathfield had an average age of 24. Given the conditions of a dry flat pitch it looked as though Heathfield would have to rely on youthful pace outdoing their older rivals. It just about worked but it was very close.
Some early penalties against Heathfield allowed Hove to build some pressure. They collected two unconverted tries in the first ten minutes with their strong scrum causing the visitors problems at this stage.
The game was fluctuating all over the pitch and Heathfield had several periods of pressure on the home try line but the defence did enough. There were also a lot of penalties for both sides and both captains were given final yellow card warnings.
After just over 20 minutes Hove then had an extended period of possession as they hammered away in the visitors’ half. This ended with a 5m scrum and they were able to work a flanker over for the try under the posts (17-0).
However from the restart Heathfield soon regathered possession. A tap penalty was then worked right where Toby Simpson made some useful ground before finding Harry Slinnhawkins outside him and he was able to break through a final tackle to score on the right hand side.
Naturally Hove responded and good hands through their backs produced a try on the left hand side, although the conversion came back off the posts (22-5).
Towards the end of the half, Heathfield turned down an easy three points and chose to tap and go which led to repeated attacks right on the home try line which finally ended as Slinnhawkins was bundled into touch in the corner. The half time whistle soon followed.
At half time, in spite of the score line, Heathfield will have been optimistic of turning the game around as they were looking increasingly dangerous and would have the wind in their favour.
Both teams made changes in the front row with Luke Thomson making his first team debut. Combined with changes in the Hove front row, the Heathfield scrum thereafter looked more comfortable although still under pressure.
About 15 minutes into the second half Slinnhawkins looked to have scored a spectacular try in the right hand corner but the home touch judge called him back from some 30 yards away.
Nonetheless the pressure was sustained and eventually following a scrum Heathfield collected a try from short range – it may be Tom Cornwall or Dan Bird. (22-10)
Heathfield were now on the front foot. An attacking lineout in the home 22 was won by Tom Tingley at the front and a quick interchange with Cornwall allowed Tingley to step his way through the final tackle for a fine try in the left hand corner (22-15).
Entering the last ten minutes an attempted drop goal by Tom Reilly was just wide. However the drop out was run back into the left hand corner for another debutante Dylan Parsons to also claim his first try at this level. (22-20)
Heathfield were well on top at this point and keeping the ball alive through multiple phases, working into the home 22. Eventually Jack Pincus saw a lack of defenders at a breakdown and charged through for his first try at this level, well converted by Simpson. (22-27)
The situation provoked an onslaught from Hove, especially through their scrum, and Reilly was now binned. The penalties kept coming as Hove were camped on the visitors’ try line and Thomson was now also binned.
Unsurprisingly Hove then did score as they worked the ball wide for a try in the right hand corner. Crucially the conversion to win the game was short and the whistle went for the end of normal time.
The start of extra time was Hove’s opportunity but in spite of being two men short Heathfield started extra time strongly and were soon awarded a penalty duly collected by Simpson. (27-30)
A couple of penalties kept the pressure on Hove and in the last play of the half Ollie Tooke muscled his way over from short range. (27-37)
Archie Adams was now binned although some felt he was wrongly identified.
Parsons now went very close in the left hand corner following a kick ahead but just knocked on over the try line. This was followed by more pressure on the home try line but they eventually managed to scramble the ball away.
As the clock ticked down a penalty gave Hove a good attacking lineout and they duly collected a try but the conversion went wide (32-37)
The last few minutes were frantic with Hove needing a converted try to win but eventually the final whistle went.
Overall this young side did brilliantly given the average age and three debutants. Down to 13 players in the extra time period, they showed great character and the fitness and desire of the younger players proved valuable.
Afterwards the coaches found it difficult to pick out pivotal players as everyone played above expectation. Every player contributed to this amazing turn around and powerful win. At the end of a long season this was a true team performance.
Next week Heathfield entertain Trinity from Surrey who we did play many years ago when they were called Old Midwhitgiftians (aka Old Midwives). (20 Apr 3.00) The winner of that match will have a quarter final against the winners of Thanet v Ashford – away!