Heathfield moved to the top of the NC1 league table with this well-contested win over a robust Canterbury team.
The game was played at Hellingly as the pitches at Cross In Hand were waterlogged and more rain was forecast throughout the day. Heathfield much appreciate this cooperation from Hellingly.
With no significant wind and an almost level surface, conditions were good for the time of year. The surface was generally firm but inevitably slimy given the recent rain. Handling was always difficult as the ball continually attracted mud leading to numerous handling errors.
Heathfield had some early pressure with a good move involving Becky Taylor and Laura McGee into the right hand corner but when the ball came back a penalty was given away and the chance was gone. Just over ten minutes into the game Steph Ryan received a nasty-looking gash to her leg which may well keep her out of action for some weeks. She was replaced by Hannah Overy.
The first score came from some decent handling and Taylor was able to work her way over on the right hand side although the conversion was missed.
Megan Plane at fly half took an early knock but nonetheless made some useful kicks out of hand which often resulted in significant ground gained. It was noticeable that the visitors rarely used this tactic.
Most of the game was between the two 22s as neither side had control. Canterbury did make one serious attack into the home 22 exploiting a tap penalty but this was a rare event. In fact in the first half the penalty count was significantly against the visitors – 6-13.
With ten minutes left in the half the visitors’ outside centre ran a penetrating line from good scrum ball and then had the pace to avoid the last ditch defence for a fine solo score under the posts, naturally converted. (5-7)
However the continuing penalties against the visitors gave Heathfield good field position and the resulting secure lineout possession was worked through several phases before Abi Bandtock crashed over from short range. This was a well deserved reward as Bandtock made repeated useful runs ball in hand as well as having a strong day in the scrum.
At half time the game was in the balance. Neither side dominated the set piece although Canterbury had probably shaded the breakdown with some clever turnovers. However defences were generally in control with rare visits to either 22s.
Canterbury had some early pressure in the second half, helped by some penalties against the home side – although it was noted by many spectators that the ball was not always tapped at tap penalties.
Nonetheless Heathfield worked their way back keeping the ball in hand in combination with some useful kicking by Plane. Lib Lawrence had one especially useful run, breaking though multiple tackles and she had a busy and effective all-round day. This led to a penalty chance, duly converted by Plane.
This meant that Canterbury now needed two scores to achieve a result and thereafter this felt increasingly unlikely as defences continued to dominate.
Handling conditions were becoming increasingly difficult and the home coaches were concerned that players were not looking after possession enough in the difficult conditions – at one point I heard Head Coach Dan Suggitt shouting ‘stop blank blank offloading’.
In a rare escape from the defensive blanket Phoebe Morgan made a lovely run from her own 22 and it took a spectacular cover tackle in the visitors’ 22 to deny her a try.
In the last quarter Heathfield utilised most of their bench in a sign of increasing confidence in the depth of players available with no apparent reduction in the level of performance by the team.
Velvet Turner, celebrating her 50th cap for the team, made several useful and characteristic runs in heavy traffic although attracting a penalty on one occasion for her use of the elbow. Her comment that ‘that is what I always do’ was perhaps unfortunate.
In the last period there was a feeling of two sides who had punched each other out and Heathfield were happy to see out the last few minutes without serious alarm.
Afterwards there were compliments for many of the players. Apart from Bandtock as the obvious best performer, there were also positive mentions for Chip Chippett for control in midfield and the back row unit of Taylor, McGee and skipper Carol Saunders – but many others had good games.
This game continued the excellent defensive record that has been established this season. After nine games just 45 points have been conceded – and 21 of those came in one game.
After a week off Heathfield next welcome Dartford Valley in a game that could well decide the league title. (23 Feb 2.00) Hopefully the ground will have dried out a little by then.
Team
1. Amber Lovick 2. Steph Ryan 3. Abi Bandtock 4. Velvet Turner 5. Georgia Reed-Davies 6. Laura McGee 7. Rebecca Taylor 8. Carol Saunders 9. Lib Lawrence 10. Megan Plane 11. Phoebe Morgan 12. Sophia Skinner 13. Chip Chippett 14. Jasmin Lewis 15. Britt Mole
Replacements
16. Freya Gorringe 17 Hannah Overy 18 Toni Norman 19. Lauren Duly 20. Poppy Eacott 21. Megan Baker 22. Merve Prestedge