ANOTHER FIVE POINTS IN THE BAG

Heath entertained lowly Keighley in a must win game for the home side as they try to keep the pressure on at the top. Seife Boussadda replaced the unavailable Lee Brown at second row and Richard Brown started as he replaced club captain Ian Downsborough who was on the bench alongside Michael Reynolds and Dave Skinner. The lights came on at the start the game as darkness loomed and there was a steady downpour which hampered play.

Heath kicked off and put pressure on the visitors defence with Dan Cole prominent from the start with some astute kicking. It came as no surprise to see Heath on the score-board after 5 minutes Ezra Hinchliffe converted a penalty, 3-0. Keighley's response was immediate and after missing a penalty attempt on 7 minutes they drew level on 10 minutes as Heath conceded another penalty, 3-3. There was a period of even play as both teams tried to open up defences and following yet another superb kick from Cole to find touch from the line out Boussadda caught the ball and drove over the line for a try, converted by Hinchliffe and a score of 10-3 with 20 minutes played.

Heath were now controlling the game with Chris Moore, Alex McFadden and Richard Brown prominent as they drove forwards and with the Keighley pack struggling Jonny Cole and Jack Crabtree went close to adding to the score. Heath became encamped in the visitors 22 and with Keighley clinging on it came as no surprise to the home supporters to see the referee award a penalty try on 35 minutes to increase Heaths lead to 17-3. Conditions were deteriorating as the heavens opened but Heath kept the pressure on and Keighley were thankful when half time arrived with no further score.

Heath began the second half as they finished the first battering the visitors defence and from a scrum Ezra Hinchliffe received the ball from Peter Birkett and his off-load to Isaiah Spooner saw the centre go over for an unconverted try 22-3 with 45 minutes played.

Keighley managed to get hold of the ball and put some pressure on the Heath defence but when Jason Merrie and Peter Birkett linked well Jonny Cole received the ball to turn defence into attack. Dave Skinner entered the field for Matt Beasty, who had put in a useful stint, and Heath began to build again. The conditions meant Keighley were making mistakes and Heath began to capitalise with Callum Harriett-Brown, Jonny  Cole and Seife Boussadda setting up Richard Brown to go over for a bonus point try on 65 minutes, 27-3.

Michael Reynolds replaced Peter Birkett as Keighley snatched a try to reduce the arrears, 27-8, but it was Heath who re-acted well with a well worked try on 75 minutes. Olly Cook linked well with Chris Moore to release the back line and Heath threw the ball about much to the delight of the home crowd. It was entertaining stuff and when Richard Brown scored his second try the crowd were delighted with Heaths efforts and a final score of 32-8. Heath continued to look for more points and with time ticking down a deft kick from Dan Cole saw Olly Cook scoop up the ball to release Jason Merrie but he was held up over the line and the referee blew for full time.

This was another superb all round effort from Heath to secure maximum points and the win sees them move to second spot in the league 4 points behind leaders Moortown. Heath mastered the conditions and played some fluent rugby and now move on to play Selby next week in their final game of 2018.