Heathfield ended their season with a seven try to two win over near neighbours Cranbrook who have been having a difficult season. The Heathfield back division has been a particular strength this season and this was evident today. Plenty of Heathfield supporters had made the short trip so there was a good crowd.
On a pleasantly sunny day a dry firm pitch with sparse grass cover was a significant factor in producing a game with an end of season feel as both sides tried to keep the ball in play as much as possible which certainly tested the fitness of all involved. There were few extended close-quarter forward battles. The wind was across the pitch and not a factor.
One old man’s whinge – both sides were guilty of letting the ball bounce when waiting to field high kicks and inevitably the ball had the last laugh on several occasions.
The pattern of the game was soon established with wide handling moves by both sides disrupted by occasional turnovers at the breakdown. Cranbrook had an early penalty chance but it drifted wide.
Gradually Heathfield started to build some pressure into the home half. Solid scrum possession was worked through several phases before Ben Irwin stepped his way through some heavy traffic for a fine solo score, duly converted by Toby Simpson.
Heathfield continued to press but on several occasions Fabian Rimmer pushed them back down to the other end. Rimmer, a former Heathfield Colt, has always had a decent boot on him which he clearly still retains, and if he transfers this to golf which I understand is becoming his preferred activity, then he could become a serious force in that arena.
However Heathfield were starting to build a head of steam with consistent possession in the home half. Some broken play resulted in Tom Tingley charging through the midfield in front of the posts with one man to beat but his scoring pass was poor and the chance was gone.
Approaching the half hour more Heathfield pressure into the left hand corner led to a yellow for a home back for a high tackle. From the resulting lineout the ball was moved coast to coast and then back left for Archie Adam to score.
From the restart Cranbrook achieved an attacking position in the bottom corner and from the lineout No 8 Sam Shillabeer charged over for a try. Shillabeer is another former Heathfield player and he was one of the best home performers on the day.
Heathfield dominated the last few minutes of the half with some strong running across the pitch. Tingley eventually received the ball on a good line some 20 yards out with one man to beat and, after his earlier error in passing, there was little doubt in anyone’s mind as to what would now happen. (7-17)
From the restart Heathfield again built a series of sweeping attacks but the home defence did enough to slow down the breakdown and their defence just held out.
The home lineout was one of their best areas. However Heathfield edged the scrummage with the props Ollie Tooke and George Walter gradually achieving a level of control over their larger opponents. Hooker George Hayter also caught the eye with some strong runs in heavy traffic.
An early penalty gave Heathfield a good attacking position in the bottom corner and after a couple of phases Harry Slinnhawkins boshed his way over for the bonus point try – well converted by Simpson. (7-24)
About now there were some handbags between the teams but this was routine and sensibly managed by the ref.
It then looked as though another Heathfield try was imminent with some pressure on the home 5m line but a turnover was now run back the length of the pitch and only some last ditch defence in the right hand corner denied a home score. Nonetheless the ball was then moved towards the left hand corner and an illegal tackle by Simpson duly resulted in a yellow card and a penalty try. (14-24)
After a well-justified water break Heathfield went close when Harry Slinnhawkins put Tingley away down the right flank but the defence just did enough.
Heathfield generally controlled the last quarter. Irwin darted over for his second try on the day, converted by Harry Westgate in Simpson’s absence. (14-31) These are Westgate’s only points in the season and he had a very decent day generally, being picked out by the referee as one of the visitors’ best performers. Incidentally the referee’s coach told me to say that the referee had a very good game.
With ten minutes left Dylan Eames was on the end of some decent handling in the left hand corner which was fair reward for some of his hard work at close quarters. Scoring was completed by an interception try by Slinnhawkins who also then claimed his only points off the boot in the season.
Cranbrook ended the game with a decent attack into the left hand corner and were only just denied by a thumping cover tackle by replacement Will Chambers.
Apart from those above there was a strong mention for Lucas Cuming who has been a dynamic force, especially in defence this year and yet again for skipper Gus Taylor who does much unseen hard graft.
At the time of writing it is unclear as to whether Cranbrook will be in this league next season – results elsewhere will affect promotion and relegation across several leagues including this one. Heathfield would hope that Cranbrook survive – we certainly enjoy good interclub relations with plenty of overlapping members - and it’s a lot nearer than Broadstairs.
Heathfield’s next fixture is the End Of Season Awards Dinner at Dale Hill Golf Club on 4th May. I will not be producing a report thereof.