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Sat 19 Oct 2024 · Counties 1 Kent
1st XVCharlton Park
Tries: H SlinnHawkins, A Adam, T Simpson (2), J Lewis, J Macvicker, R Webb, T Tingley (2)Conversions: T Simpson (8)
61
12
Nine try bonus point win over struggling Park
Philip Bell20 Oct - 07:03
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Also a first win for Heathfield Rangers makes for a good day all round
Heathfield 61 Charlton Park 12
Heathfield retained their second position in the league table with a clinical bonus point nine try win against Charlton Park who are having a difficult season.
Afterwards there was also considerable pleasure in the clubhouse in the news that Heathfield Rangers had secured their first win of the season away at Crawley in spite of travelling without a full team. Team Manager Craig Martin takes much credit for his efforts. The first team needs a strong second team to provide depth as injuries take their toll over the season.
Heavy rain earlier in the day had thankfully cleared by mid-morning and the afternoon was pleasantly warm with even a little sunshine and no significant breeze. Although the pitch was soft a generous length of grass meant that it did not cut up as much as feared.
Heathfield started with a bang – Park secured the kick off and started to work their way out of the bottom corner but a knock-on gave Heathfield good possession on the right hand side. The ball was swiftly moved left for full back Harry Slinnhawkins to slice through the defence and touch down on the left hand side with barely a minute on the clock. Tob Simpson converted as he did for all bar one of the tries today, some far from easy.
A few minutes later Archie Adam benefitted from a sweet pass by fly half Tom Reilly to claim a try on the same sideReilly made a number of useful half-breaks throughout the game without quite breaking free. . Soon afterwards another home attack looked promising but a knock-on ten yards out spoiled the chance.
The game then settled down a little but most was in the visitors’ half. At the end of the first quarter a tap penalty 20 yards out in front of the posts was moved right with a nice line by Adam setting Simpson up for a try in the corner.
Park now showed their mettle with some decent forwards work, admittedly aided by an increasing penalty count against Heathfield. Indeed just after the half hour the referee warned Heathfield skipper Lucas Cuming that a card was imminent with the penalty count 6-2 against his side at that point.
Park then effectively exploited an attacking lineout in the left hand corner and worked their way over for a try. (21-5) Any hopes that the visitors may have had of an unlikely comeback were then firmly demolished as Jo Lewis secured a lineout on the Park 22 and took advantage of a hole in the defence to charge over for a fine solo score – and the try bonus point.
The home front row were seriously out-weighted by their opponents but apart from one scrum penalty the Heathfield scrum generally secured their own ball, albeit often under pressure, making life difficult for scrum half Harry Westgate who mostly did well.
At half time Head Coach Sam Goatcher started to use his bench with George Hayter, Tom Pritchard and Dylan Parsons all making useful contributions.
A few minutes into the second half a home defensive lineout went wrong. Heathfield moved the ball wide and eventually Jem Macvicker charged over for a try. Macvicker was widely praised afterwards for his all round game with solid tackles and useful yards gained ball in hand.
One of the day’s highlights now arrived as good lineout ball was moved into midfield where tight head prop Reece Webb received the ball twenty yards out and would not be denied in a robust charge to the line.
Entering the last quarter Tom Tingley scored two tries with strong running that the tiring visitors defence struggled to contain. First a tap penalty gave him good ball in space at pace and then a Simpson counter attack found him loitering on the right wing with only two backs to beat.
At 54-5 Park were clearly well beaten but their continuing strength up front allowed them to claim a second consolation try from short range.
Soon after the restart the ball bobbled loose on the half way line and Simpson exploited a tiring and wrong-footed defence to jog over under the posts for the final score.
The last few minutes were only notable for the Heathfield scrum securing a penalty as reward for their persistence under serious pressure and their improved technique from good coaching.
Today’s Park team was much changed from previous seasons as they struggle with new player recruitment and their Army contingent being posted to Cyprus. Their stout front row did much to keep them competitive while flanker Barney Clarke was also picked out for his efforts on a difficult day.
Heathfield will be concerned with the excessively high penalty count – with eleven against them in the second half alone. A significant proportion of these were for high tackles but it is good to see this law being applied correctly, to the credit of referee Joseph Garman who had his usual calm and effective game.
While Heathfield will be delighted with their lofty position in the league table, there is no false optimism as they have only played one other team in the top six of the league. Next week they visit old foes Park House who may only be 8th in the league but their results against the top teams have been impressive. (26 Oct 3.00) Barnet Wood Road is not often a happy hunting ground for Heathfield.
Heathfield retained their second position in the league table with a clinical bonus point nine try win against Charlton Park who are having a difficult season.
Afterwards there was also considerable pleasure in the clubhouse in the news that Heathfield Rangers had secured their first win of the season away at Crawley in spite of travelling without a full team. Team Manager Craig Martin takes much credit for his efforts. The first team needs a strong second team to provide depth as injuries take their toll over the season.
Heavy rain earlier in the day had thankfully cleared by mid-morning and the afternoon was pleasantly warm with even a little sunshine and no significant breeze. Although the pitch was soft a generous length of grass meant that it did not cut up as much as feared.
Heathfield started with a bang – Park secured the kick off and started to work their way out of the bottom corner but a knock-on gave Heathfield good possession on the right hand side. The ball was swiftly moved left for full back Harry Slinnhawkins to slice through the defence and touch down on the left hand side with barely a minute on the clock. Tob Simpson converted as he did for all bar one of the tries today, some far from easy.
A few minutes later Archie Adam benefitted from a sweet pass by fly half Tom Reilly to claim a try on the same sideReilly made a number of useful half-breaks throughout the game without quite breaking free. . Soon afterwards another home attack looked promising but a knock-on ten yards out spoiled the chance.
The game then settled down a little but most was in the visitors’ half. At the end of the first quarter a tap penalty 20 yards out in front of the posts was moved right with a nice line by Adam setting Simpson up for a try in the corner.
Park now showed their mettle with some decent forwards work, admittedly aided by an increasing penalty count against Heathfield. Indeed just after the half hour the referee warned Heathfield skipper Lucas Cuming that a card was imminent with the penalty count 6-2 against his side at that point.
Park then effectively exploited an attacking lineout in the left hand corner and worked their way over for a try. (21-5) Any hopes that the visitors may have had of an unlikely comeback were then firmly demolished as Jo Lewis secured a lineout on the Park 22 and took advantage of a hole in the defence to charge over for a fine solo score – and the try bonus point.
The home front row were seriously out-weighted by their opponents but apart from one scrum penalty the Heathfield scrum generally secured their own ball, albeit often under pressure, making life difficult for scrum half Harry Westgate who mostly did well.
At half time Head Coach Sam Goatcher started to use his bench with George Hayter, Tom Pritchard and Dylan Parsons all making useful contributions.
A few minutes into the second half a home defensive lineout went wrong. Heathfield moved the ball wide and eventually Jem Macvicker charged over for a try. Macvicker was widely praised afterwards for his all round game with solid tackles and useful yards gained ball in hand.
One of the day’s highlights now arrived as good lineout ball was moved into midfield where tight head prop Reece Webb received the ball twenty yards out and would not be denied in a robust charge to the line.
Entering the last quarter Tom Tingley scored two tries with strong running that the tiring visitors defence struggled to contain. First a tap penalty gave him good ball in space at pace and then a Simpson counter attack found him loitering on the right wing with only two backs to beat.
At 54-5 Park were clearly well beaten but their continuing strength up front allowed them to claim a second consolation try from short range.
Soon after the restart the ball bobbled loose on the half way line and Simpson exploited a tiring and wrong-footed defence to jog over under the posts for the final score.
The last few minutes were only notable for the Heathfield scrum securing a penalty as reward for their persistence under serious pressure and their improved technique from good coaching.
Today’s Park team was much changed from previous seasons as they struggle with new player recruitment and their Army contingent being posted to Cyprus. Their stout front row did much to keep them competitive while flanker Barney Clarke was also picked out for his efforts on a difficult day.
Heathfield will be concerned with the excessively high penalty count – with eleven against them in the second half alone. A significant proportion of these were for high tackles but it is good to see this law being applied correctly, to the credit of referee Joseph Garman who had his usual calm and effective game.
While Heathfield will be delighted with their lofty position in the league table, there is no false optimism as they have only played one other team in the top six of the league. Next week they visit old foes Park House who may only be 8th in the league but their results against the top teams have been impressive. (26 Oct 3.00) Barnet Wood Road is not often a happy hunting ground for Heathfield.
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