Another compelling encounter between these well matched sides went deservedly the way of the visitors who showed a sharper all round game despite the hosts dominance of the set scrum.
Played on the adjacent Cranbrook school pitch due to the club pitches not thawing out completely, the well grassed surface allied to the sunny winter afternoon with little breeze enabled an end to end game to take place where neither team had dominance at any stage.
The early stages of the game in front of a large crowd, including plenty from Heathfield, had a number of handling errors from both teams probably more through anxiety to seek control than the conditions. What was apparent was that Cranbrook had much the stronger scrum, turning over the first Heathfield put in to set up an attack. Heathfield though were demonstrating an ability to break from open field most notably when the young fullback twice caught fine up and unders from Fabian Rimmer, well directed with the sun directly in the catchers eye, to set up counter attacks.
The first score came after 20 minutes when after a number of phases a Fabian Rimmer sidestep at close range was enough to find a gap to dive over ,well converted by himself.
Heathfield responded well but a forward pass spoilt one promising move. Soon further pressure meant Cranbrook conceded a penalty close to their own try line and a quick tap and pass allowed a score. Heathfield looked more dangerous than Cranbrook when moving the ball wide at speed and soon gained a penalty which scrum half Simpson converted. Back came Cranbrook and after being adjudged held up over the try line, and after phases going left the ball was moved right where full back Beau Archer found just enough room to score in the corner giving Cranbrook the lead again after half an hour.
Heathfield were next to score as more than one missed tackles allowed a centre over, although there was a suspicion of a forward pass. They then scored the best try of the game as the ball was kept alive at pace from their own half through many pairs of hands, Simpson converting for a half time score of 12-20.
Cranbrook scored fairly early in the second half when a scrum penalty was given, as Heathfield were still under severe pressure, it was kicked to 5 metres. The lineout safely taken, after phases flanker Jack Lamb was able to score under the posts, the drop kick conversion by Rimmer leaving Cranbrook just a point in arrears.
The game was fascinating, equality in the lineout and at the breakdown where turnovers were almost non-existent, whereas the scrum dominance of Cranbrook unlike last week did not produce much advantage to the home team, particularly as the Heathfield No 8 and Captain Taylor, was so adept at picking up the ball and making something of it at the base of the retreating scrum as well as having a strong game in the loose. After Simpson added a penalty as Cranbrook were marched back for backchat bringing the kick into range, the Heathfield 8 again under pressure picked up and broke a tackle for a crucial score, converted for a 19-30 lead.
A penalty miss by Simpson as Cranbrook were twice penalised could have closed the game out, but as Cranbrook responded again being held up when over the try line, Heathfield conceded a penalty for a high tackle, kicked to 5 metres. Further phases kept Cranbrook in position, but a mistake led to a scrum. Cranbrook turned it over and this time home No 8 Lewis Stone was held up as the Heathfield tacking remained resolute. Cranbrook finally scored from close range as a nice turn and pass out of the tackle by the returning Club Captain Josh Curtis, playing at inside centre, put wing Elliott Barbour in near to the posts, Rimmer converting for a 26-30 scoreline and 10 minutes remaining.
Any notion that Cranbrook might score a winning try was ended as Heathfield regained field position from the kick-off and after phases the ever alert Simpson took a quick tap penalty as Cranbrook were again penalised, to dive over. Cranbrook did respond and a couple of nice moves were ended by a knock on and more effective tackling respectively. There was just time for Simpson to add another penalty, in off the post, for a final 26-38 scoreline.
This game was defined by a sharper Heathfield team being slightly fitter and faster, making their tackles whilst running effectively especially out wide. Cranbrook will be disappointed that again they could not take enough chances and will be ruing missed tackles and the concession of too many penalties.
Match report courtesy of Philip Rimmer.