On a perfect day for rugby, warm sunshine, dry conditions and an ideal pitch this was a curate’s egg of a game. Both sides serving up some delightful free-flowing rugby, only for the same two sides to throw away chance after chance with basic handling errors or poor discipline at the break down. Both coaching teams will be scratching their hands wondering how their team didn’t win.
H&W started much the better with early incursions into the Crowborough half. Good defensive tackling enabled the visitors to clear their line. Shortly after it was Heathfield’s turn to defend resolutely following a mazy run by Ollie Clinch deep into the opposition half was closed down by superb tackling. With ten minutes gone the game ebbed and flowed only to be thwarted by poor handling, an inability to retain the ball in contact or silly indiscretions at the ruck. On a positive note the new tackle height law seems to have breathed new life into grassroots rugby.
The game continued in this vane with both sides playing good rugby; free-flowing with dynamic support play. The scoreboard was untroubled thanks to excellent defensive work or basic mistakes on both sides. It certainly made for compelling, if somewhat frustrating watching for those on the sidelines.
It wasn’t until 20 minutes had passed before the scoreboard was troubled. A beautiful break by H&W’s Ben Irwin in the centre took the ball deep into Crowborough territory. A crunching tackle brought the break to a halt but an unnecessary hand in the ensuing ruck gave away the penalty. H&W outside half Lucas Cuming slotted the ball between the posts. 3-0.
Crowborough were soon in the Heathfield half again following some intricate handling and dynamic running from the pacy backline. Yet again however all the good work came to nought. The referee was beginning to lose patience and when Crowborough’s Sam Skinner deliberately knocked on there was no hesitation in showing him a yellow card.
Despite being a man down as half time approached the visitors were very marginally on top with the home side having to do more and more defensive work. That defensive work was really tested when Crowborough’s Rob Lester intercepted 60 metres from the line. He was within touching distance of the try line only for him to be sent flying into touch by a superb last ditch tackle. The game remained at 3-0 at the half.
Crowborough started the second half as they finished the first very marginally on top, but it wasn’t too long before Heathfield & Waldron came back into the game putting pressure on the visitors. The many spectators continued to be frustrated by the numerous basic errors and the all too frequent insistence of the referee’s whistle. When this game was good it was very good, sadly from start to finish that good play was punctuated by mistakes.
With 25 minutes gone Crowborough through a bullocking run by the excellent Will Creasy were back on the attack. A deliberate and cynical killing of the ball by H&W’s Reece Webb saw him see yellow. The ensuing penalty from the boot of Clinch sailed wide. A few minutes later Crowborough were awarded a scrum which they drove over the line but inexplicably failed to touch down. A green shirted arm got there first. Opportunity wasted.
With about 10 minutes remaining on the clock Crowborough drew level when another H&W infringement was punished. Ollie Clinch this time sent the ball through the posts to level up the score. Lucas Cuming had the chance to win the game late on for Heathfield & Waldron but pushed his kick wide. The frantic last minutes came to nothing with the final score being 3-3.
There was plenty to indicate both sides will be a handful as the season progresses but basic handling errors, ball retention and discipline at the breakdown need to be improved.
Crowborough host Dartfordians at Steel Cross on September 30th.