A SUPERB FIVE POINTS FOR HEATH

Heath made the journey to East Yorkshire looking to build on an excellent run of victories to take on a side who were blowing hot and cold after suffering a shock defeat last week against Hullensians - following a run of four wins. No doubt they would be looking to bounce back with a home win today but Heath looked confident and selected the same starting line-up as last week with the only change seeing Si Brown replace Jordan Moana on the bench.

Excellent conditions greeted both sides and the large crowd as Beverley started the game. Heath collected the ball and went immediately on the attack and after only 2 minutes Beverley scrum half Rob Wilhoite was sin-binned for a high tackle. Heath went for touch and from the line out Fergus Marsden won the ball and drove for the line. He was held up, Heath decided to spread the ball but Beverley were aware of this and an interception saw them storm up the field. Several missed tackles saw Heath succumb with a penalty and the home side were in front 3-0 with 6 minutes played. Heath's response was immediate, winning the ball from the re-start and setting up a forwards drive. Olly Cook drove to the try-line but was held up short and it was left to the supporting Matt Beasty to scoop the ball up and score a try, superbly converted by Ezra Hiinchliffe and a score of 7-3 to the visitors on 10 minutes. Back came Beverley and following a speedy attack a clever kick to the corner saw wing Ben Woodhouse go over for their opening try and a lead of 10-7 with 15 minutes played. The game went from end to end with fast open play for the next 10 minutes with both teams going close to adding to their score but it was a clever pass from Ezra Hinchliffe, as he was tackled, which saw Jack Crabtree receive the ball and a converted try saw a score of 14-10 to Heath with 25 minutes played. Seife Boussada and Richard Brown entered the fray as Matt Beasty and Ian Downsborough took a breather but they could do nothing to prevent the home side reducing the arrears on 30 minutes with an un-converted try from Will Turnball and a score of 15-14 to Beverley. Both sides continued to battle for the breaks and with half time approaching the only additional score came from a penalty from Ezra Hinchliffe and Heath went in at the break in front 17-15 and it was anyones game.

Si Brown replaced Jacob Storey and from the re-start Heath went looking to add to their score. Dan Cole, whose kicking game was superb, put a ball into the corner and from the resulting line-out Seife Boussada won the ball and went over for a try, converted by Hinchliffe, and Heath had increased their lead to 24-15 with 45 minutes played. Beverleys response was a penalty conversion two minutes later to reduce the arrears to 24-18 but it was Heath who then took the match by the scruff of the neck for the final quarter and commanded the game. A high clearance kick from Crabtree was followed up by him with a fly kick and Heath were on the attack. A scrum in the Beverley 22 saw Richard Brown control the ball and a pass to Callum Harriett-Brown saw the winger go over in the corner for a bonus point try. Ezra Hinchliffe added the extras and a score of 31-18 justified Heaths control of the game with 65 minutes played. However, much to Beverleys credit they managed to re-group and mounted a string of attacks but the visitors defence was solid enough and no points were conceeded. Ian Downsborough and Matt Beasty went back on to bolster the defence with 5 minutes remaining and the Heath forwards, led by Richard Brown, Alex McFadden and Jason Merrie, wound the clock down which enabled Olly Cook to secure the win with a try in the last minute and a score of 36-18.

This was a great advert for Yorkshire 1 rugby with both teams playing some exciting rugby. The maximum bonus points win for Heath enabled them to stay within five points of leaders Middlesbrough and saw them overtake Beverley in what is going to be another exciting season as clubs chase the two promotion places at the end of the season.