Heathfield RFC edge 11-try fest
Heathfield RFC collected a rare away bonus point win as they edged out Beccehamians by six tries to five – 32-27 the final score – in an entertaining Counties 1 Kent league match.
Conditions were good although the wind was across the pitch and just two of the 11 tries were converted.
With ten minutes gone secure scrum ball near the half way line was worked left for Heathfield full back Toby Simpson to join the line and some neat footwork gave the little space he needed resulting in a try under the posts, naturally converted by him.
However at the end of the first quarter Beccs battled their way into the visitors’ 22 and then worked their way over from short range in the left hand corner.
Jay Massey-Taylor now made a scything diagonal run towards the top left hand corner past multiple defenders, carried on well by others. Persistent pressure led to a home prop being binned and Jack Pincus muscled his way over.
Beccs charged back and exploited an attacking lineout in the visitors 22, moving the ball into midfield for a simple try under the posts, providing their only successful conversion on the day.
Early in the second half Aiden Plumley, marking his welcome return from injury, joined a handling move in midfield and made a stomping run only for a fumble ten yards out. However scrum pressure produced turnover ball and soon Pincus was on the end of some good hands for his second on the day.
Almost immediately Ben Irwin delivered a delightful 50/22 and soon Will Chambers squeezed into the corner where he was adjudged to have touched down before being bundled into touch.
Then another fine Simpson run along the left wing was finished by, inevitably, Pincus for his third. At 12-27 Heathfield looked to be pulling away but Beccs now scored two similar tries as they muscled their way over from a few yards out on each occasion.
With the lead down to 5 (22-27) and ten minutes remaining there was some concern amidst the (excellent) travelling support. But good lineout possession was moved into midfield for Lucas Cuming to make a decisive break and Horatio Hellewell to finish in the left hand corner, restoring the 10 point lead.
Beccs had the last word with an attack into the left hand corner where they were adjudged, amidst some confusion, to have scored and thus collected a try bonus point and a deserved losing bonus point.
This week Heathfield entertain Sevenoaks II, who are level with them in the league table (6 Dec 14.00).