This much anticipated game was played on a heavy but well grassed pitch with intermittent rain, sometimes heavy in the second half. An enthralling contest between two accomplished teams was decided in the visitors favour after some tight decisions perhaps favoured Cranbrook.
Cranbrook kicked off into a slight breeze which also tended to go across the pitch. The early stages of the game did not hint of the excitement to follow after the half hour mark, as both teams shared possession mainly in midfield, often kicking to little effect as handling in the conditions was obviously difficult with several knock-ons. There were many scrums in which Cranbrook had the edge, but Taylor, Heathfield's Captain and No8 always did well to recover the ball when his team had the put in. Lineouts were more even although Cranbrook were always under pressure from a couple of big home forwards, but hooker Kenny Magsico's throwing was very accurate in the difficult conditions. Ollie Allman returned to the team at fullback and did very well collecting some tricky kicks sometimes managing to jink his way back to the support of his forwards.
Mid way through the half Cranbrook did attempt a mid range penalty but it just drifted wide, whilst a bit later a Heathfield attempt from slightly further was also unsuccessful. As the half continued Heathfield began to get on top as they began to put some width on the ball, they scored after a forward escaped unchallenged from a ruck making good ground, the quickly recycled ball left was too much for the spreadeagled Cranbrook defence. The home team added to their score with a simple penalty by fullback Simpson, and were only denied another try in the clubhouse corner by the touch judge flagging for foot in touch after more expansive back play. Heathfield were good value for a halftime 8-0 lead as Cranbrook had not stamped any authority on the game or got their backs moving.
Coach Chris Catt made a decisive move during the break, moving Captain Josh Curtis from the centre to his more accustomed No8 role, as Sasha Jovanovic was replaced by Sam Shillabeer who went to right wing. The resourceful Jack Lamb moved forward into the position Jovanovic had held at lock. Cranbrook started the second half determinedly and soon had sustained pressure in the Heathfield 22. The home team resisted well but one chance created on the left was missed as Allman overran the ball. Otherwise it was a sustained forwards effort where notably in the conditions handling errors were rare. Eventually the pressure told as penalties mounted two of the Heathfield forwards were carded for breakdown offences within 5 minutes of each other. Soon a close range backs move to the right saw Allman scoring comfortably as Heathfield ran out of cover, Fabian Rimmer converting. Without a front row replacement for the carded player scrums became uncontested for the duration of his ban. By then Cranbrook were in the lead for the first time as Rimmer sensed a defensive gap and with a sidestep went over in joyous fashion close to the posts, also converting.
Heathfield from the kick off did retain field position briefly but from a breakdown near halfway George Robertson put a kick into space down the 5 metre line channel. Simpson the home full back was hesitant in recovering the bouncing ball and the onrushing Shillabeer was able to charge down the attempted clearance. The ball rebounded favourably into his stride and after kicking through the supporting Robertson following his initial kick was able to dive on the ball for a try which crucially Rimmer managed to impressively convert. So with about 15 minutes remaining Cranbrook led 21-8, meaning Heathfield would need 2 converted tries to win, whilst some in the Cranbrook camp may have thought the turn around in the game would enable them to push for the four try bonus point.
This notion was swiftly dispelled as the longish kick off was knocked on by a Cranbrook player. Heathfield from the scrum now played their best rugby of the match as wave after wave of attacks followed, driving forwards setting up quick ruck ball for the backs to use, Cranbrook defended resolutely for some time barely escaping their own half, but with about 5 minutes remaining centre Crozier, despite slipping, managed to squeeze over, Simpson converting.
Heathfield were back on the attack almost immediately and as the clock approached full time thought they had scored in the left hand corner. Again the Cranbrook touch judge flagged, the ref agreeing as he disallowed the touch down. The game ended shortly after as Cranbrook celebrated with their many supporters with a mixture of joy and relief. Both teams had demonstrated their right to an elevated position in the league table.
Match report courtesy of Philip Rimmer