CHARLTON Park’s winning start to the season continued when they eased past a determined Heathfield side 21-10 on Saturday in a second round fixture in the EDF Energy Senior Vase.

In a meeting between the two sides earlier in the season, the match had been closely contested and Charlton had only won the match in the dying seconds after Heathfield had enjoyed the balance of play.

From the opening exchanges of this encounter, the game seemed set to follow in a similar vein.

It was Heathfield who started the match in a very positive manner and Charlton were forced to defend for long periods of the first half.

Despite Charlton’s committed 15-man defence, Heathfield had the majority of territorial advantage in the opening quarter of an hour of play and went close to opening the scoring with a long-range penalty attempt.

With Heathfield controlling the game with astute kicking, Charlton’s defensive play thwarted the visitors and it was at a lineout which saw Heathfield finally gaining recompense for their efforts.

Despite Heathfield overthrowing and Charlton winning possession, the ball was smuggled back onto the visitors’ side of a ruck following direct running and Heathfield scored the opening try.

Falling behind gave purpose to Charlton’s play and they had an opportunity to strike back when Barry O’Keeffe went close to making an interception, but unfortunately he only managed to brush the ball with his fingertips and the chance went begging.

Heathfield’s inability to deal with a bouncing ball was to cause problems for them through out the second half.

From the kick to start the second half, Charlton chased well and Heathfield failed to secure good possession and the ball bounced loose.

Charlton were the quicker of the two sides to react and following a chip through by Christian Holmner, he outstripped Heathfield to touch down for Charlton’s opening try.

With O’Keeffe adding the conversion, Charlton took the lead.

Throughout the first half, Charlton’s driving play had proved beneficial.

Scott McManus picked up the ball and Heathfield’s defence parted like Red Sea did for Moses, allowing McManus to storm through and deftly touch down Charlton’s second try of the half.

O’Keeffe added his second successful conversion to put Charlton two scores ahead.

To Heathfield’s credit, they increased the tempo of their play and laid siege to Charlton’s line.

They could have reduced the deficit, but did not convert a series of penalties into points.

It was following Charlton conceding a penalty which saw Heathfield kick for position and at the ensuing lineout, they drove Charlton backwards and the visitors then released their backs to score their second try.

Charlton’s third try came from Heathfield being unable to deal with another bouncing ball and O’Keeffe was the quickest to gain possession.

He touched down for a try and subsequently added the conversion to finish a successful afternoon for Charlton.

Charlton resume their league campaign this Saturday with a visit to East Grinstead.