Early lead whittled back - but Heath still win by 5pts.

1. Piper   6. Wilkinson      11   Hinchcliffe

2. Whitworth  7. Wilby   12 Malik

3. Morley 8.  Skinner 13 Beever

4. Marsden   9. Cole 14 Saltonstall

5. Mellor    10 Simpkins   15 Storey

Replacements

Kerr,Cockroft,Baxendale,Dance,Gill

Heath 2nds returned to action after the Xmas break , with a home derby against rivals Old Bodleian’s, and were keen to make the most of a run of 4 home ties. Kicking off at 12, as the curtain raiser to the Yorkshire 1 fixture between the two senior teams, Heath were able to raise a rare full set of replacements, with several other available players having to miss out.  Running out to a large crowd, Heath started the game and were immediately on the attack , securing early ball through the forwards.  From a dominant early scrum , the ball was spread rapidly across the back line, allowing Storey to move into the attack, breaking the defensive line and scoring a great opening try. Cole added the extra’s 7-0

Brods failed to clear the 10m line with the restart but the Heath forwards chose to play the ball, secured by Piper, who drove forward supported by the impressive Marsden. With the ball secured and recycled several times through Skinner, Morley and Whitworth, Cole found Simpkins who sent the ball back to Storey, who seeing space punted the ball for Saltonstall to chase and force the covering Brods back to concede a lineout. Heath drove again and Marsden powered over for another try, Cole missed the extras from a difficult angle, just hitting the cross bar 12-0

Brods were rocked by the early power and application of Heath, but they regrouped and showed what a good side they are putting pressure on Heaths defensive line for once.  Heather were more than a match , impressive tackling from Wilkinson and Simpkins, allowed Cole to clear to the 22. Brods tried to relieve pressure with a kick, but Saltonstall made a break back along the line, seeing Beever inside he executed an excellent offload , and then Storey overlapping crossed for his 2nd score, which Cole converted 19-0

Heath switched off for a period, and Brods seized their chance to get a score on the board, winning a penalty they kicked to the 5m line and drove over for a forwards try , the kick was well taken 19-7. Cole encouraged the team to get back to the levels shown in the opening period. From the restart they won a penalty on the 22 and Mellor showing his usual experience as a back, jinked between two players and crossed to the right of the posts, allowing Cole to increase the lead 26-7 and secure a bonus point before half time.  Shortly after the official blew for the break

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HT 26-7

With replacements made to provide fresh legs, Heath received the restart, eager to add more points, wary of the last-minute win by Brods at the away fixture.

The change in personnel seemed to upset Heaths rhythm and the play was sloppy , when closing out the game would have been easier. Several penalties were conceded, and the official made Heath aware that a yellow may be his next course of action. This duly came when Wilby transgressed in a ruck, Brods took full advantage shortly after scoring another converted try 26-14. More indiscipline saw Heath reduced to 13 men when Dance was also shown a yellow, and Brods were strangely allowed to take a quick tap penalty whilst the official was still talking to Captain Hinchcliffe, moving the score to 26-21 , Heath were in a game now and were in danger of throwing the game away with 15 minutes of madness. They managed to hold out until Wilby returned and then had their own chance to score. With a penalty won they kicked to the 5m line, driving from the lineout, they crossed the line but were adjudged held up , choosing not to reinforce the pack with a back for the scrum, Brods pushed them off the ball and released the pressure. The 2nd yellow card ended with no further score, Brods tiring with their efforts to move back to near parity.  Cole once again drove the team to increase their final efforts, and with Simpkins collecting a kick, he chose to kick to touch and the game ended.

Another great game from the 2nds against a very good side, however this will be another learning exercise on needing to close out games when having a healthy lead. Mention must go to a great turnout from the squad and those that had to lose out, let’s keep this up week in and week out, especially at away games, and we can have a great finish to the season