Sevenoaks revenged their defeat against Heathfield earlier in the season with a four try to two win in a closely-fought game at the Knole.
The excellent pre-match lunch had a notable guest in the RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney, very much in the news at present, and he had a constructive conversation with Heathfield’s President Robin Gale.
Conditions were remarkably good for the end of January with a dry, firm pitch with sparse grass cover and no wind.
The first quarter saw the teams testing each other out with neither able to make a decisive break through. Sevenoaks were aided by several Heathfield penalties which enabled them to apply some pressure but the visitors’ defence was generally looking secure. Heathfield were managing some useful attacks ball in hand and one big break by Harry Slinnhawkins looked promising before being snuffed out by the cover.
Approaching the end of the first quarter Sevenoaks pressed on the right hand side and eventually seemed to have worked their way over but were adjudged to have been held up. The drop out was too strong and went directly into touch giving the home side an attacking 5m scrum. The ball was duly secured and after several phases their tight head made a massive run of at least one yard before touching down.
Naturally Heathfield charged back and were playing some decent rugby. In the left hand corner a precise chip by Ben Irwin was followed up by Slinnhawkins who used his footballing skills to move the ball into the dead ball area – but following up he slipped and the chance was gone.
Nonetheless a penalty allowed Toby Simpson to open the scoring for Heathfield. (7-3)
Five minutes later some delightful back interplay opened up the visitors’ defence for Sevenoaks second try.
Heathfield was fighting back but regrettably Ollie Tooke took this too far and was now binned for a late tackle. If anything this just spurred his side to greater efforts and a penalty provided a good attacking position on the right hand side. Once the ball was (just) secured it was being worked forward when Liam Dunkley seized the ball from the breakdown and spotted a weakness in the home defence to muscle his way over from over 20m for a fine solo try – Simpson converted (14-10).
At half time the game was open. Both sides set piece generally worked well. Heathfield will have been pleased by the scrum which was sometimes under pressure but always secured their own ball. Aaron Stonell, making a welcome return to the club, came off the bench and helped in this phase along with a couple of useful carries.
Sevenoaks opened the second half with a penalty giving them a strong attacking position in the right hand corner. Solid lineout ball was worked wide left for a try in the corner, impressively converted.
As ever Heathfield came back with a surge into the left hand corner, aided by Sevenoaks indiscretions. Initially a lineout went wrong, unusually on the day, before good possession was secured from another lineout. This was driven on and allowed Chris Baker-Butler to break off to work his way over for his side’s second try, converted by Simpson. (21-17)
With half an hour to go any result looked possible in what was becoming a close game. Both sides had promising attacks with Sevenoaks being held up on one occasion. However they were now handicapped by a yellow card for a high tackle soon after they had received a team warning.
Heathfield will now have been hoping for at least a losing bonus point if not more but were unable to exploit the extra man. With about ten minutes remaining a penalty gave Sevenoaks a good attacking position and a clinically executed lineout was driven over for the decisive score and the try bonus point (26-17).
A couple of minutes later another penalty stretched their lead and concluded the scoring.
This was a well contested game in which Sevenoaks probably executed better and took their chances more clinically than Heathfield and thus deserved the result on the day.
For Heathfield half backs Harry Westgate and Irwin had notably good days along with Aiden Plumley, skipper Gus Taylor and Tom Tingley who caught my eye.
Next week Park House visit Cross In Hand: they just snatched a win by one point late on in the game at their place so this could be another close contest. (1 Feb 2.00)