GRITTY BATTLE BUT HEATH SECURE THE POINTS - JUST!

Heath travelled over to Shay Lane to take on Bradford Salem looking to extend their unbeaten run but were made to fight all the way for the full 80 minutes to secure the win against a dogged Salem side who played some useful rugby. Heath gave a debut on the bench to new signing Isaiah Spooner who sat alongside club captain Ian Downsborough and Seife Boussadda as coach Dave Harrison gave starting positions to Richard Brown and Peter Birkett both recovered from injury.

In cold, autumnal conditions the early exchanges were hard and ferocious as both sides tested each other out and an early injury to Fergus Marsden saw him replaced by Boussadda after only 8 minutes. Both teams began to settle down and Dan Cole began to master the conditions with some astute kicking. Some clever off-loading from the Heath backs put pressure onto the home defence which resulted in a penalty attempt from Ezra Hinchliffe on 15 minutes but his kick was just short and Salem cleared the danger. It was now the turn of the home side to put pressure onto the visitors defence and Heath gave away several penalties which resulted in the final one being an attempt to open Salems account but the ball hit the post and Heath cleared their lines as Hinchliffe collected the ball and put in a superb kick which found touch in Salems half. The battle was on-going with Alex McFadden, Jonny Cole and Eddie Cartwright at the fore-front in the tackling department but they could not prevent a superb flowing move from Salems backs which saw them run the full length of the field but as a try looked certain they dropped the ball and the danger had passed with 25 minutes played. Heath went back onto the attack with Jack Crabtree and Callum Harriett-Brown linking well and this was followed by a strong run from Boussada which resulted in a penalty for Heath which this time was converted by Hinchliffe and Heath led 3-0 with 28 minutes played. From the re-start Heath were hesitant as Salem pounced and went looking for a score but the Heath defence stood  firm and would not let Salem cross the line. Still the home side battered Heath and only quick reactions from Peter Birkett, when Salem took a quick throw in, prevented a score as he tackled the Salem wing into touch. On 35 minutes it was Salem again who looked for a score but once again they dropped the vital pass, much to the relief of the travelling supporters and half time arrived with Heath clinging on to their slender lead.

Ian Downsborough replaced Matt Beasty, who had a solid first half, as Heath opened with a fierce attack which saw the evergreen winger Si Brown denied a try in the opening minutes as he was bundled into touch. Unfortunately Brown was injured and so onto the field came Spooner for his debut. Heath continued to pressurise the Salem defence and strong drives from Olly Cook, Richard Brown and Chris Moore set up Ian Downsborough to power over the line to score a vital try, converted by Ezra Hinchliffe, and Heath increased their lead to 10-0 with 50 minutes played. Salem responded and they began to keep hold of the ball going through a number of phases and were rewarded with a converted penalty after 55 minutes to reduce the arrears to 10-3. With Cook in the sin bin Heath were under the cosh to prevent any further score but they clung on and gradually worked their way back into the game. Some good work from Jason Merrie, which resulted in a clearance kick, set up Heaths next attack as Harriett-Brown chased the ball down. Salem cleared their lines but Heath continued the mid-field battle with Jonny Cole and Chris Moore linking well. A head injury to Salems full back on 75 minutes saw him replaced but they were reduced to fourteen players as a Salem player passed a comment to the referee deemed unsuitable by the official and he was sin binned. However, this did not deter Salem from one final onslaught. A scum from Heath in the Salem 22 on 78 minutes saw the ball intercepted and the home wing set off for the Heath try line. The player was chased down by Harriett-Brown who hauled the player to the deck and the supporting Heath players prevented Salem scoring that vital try as the ball was bundled into touch. From the line out Salem continued to press for a score but Heath, as always, would not be denied a win and time ran out for the Salem side.

This was a titanic battle from both sides with defences on top. Heath were made to  battle for every ball but a converted try and a penalty were enough to secure the win which keeps them in third spot in the league as they move on to play Dinnington, who are finding some form, at home next week