SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO WIN UGLY…………..

Team Selection 15 Eddie Cartwright 14 Si Brown 13 Isaiah Spooner 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Callum Harriett-Brown 10 Dan Cole 9 Jack Crabtree 8 Richard Brown 7 Jason Merrie 6 Jonny Cole 5 Fergus Marsden 4 Matt Beasty 3 Chris Moore 2 Alex McFadden 1 Chris Piper 16 Michael Reynolds 17 Seife Boudssadda 18 Alex Patrick

Heath entertained third place Pontefract looking to bounce back from defeat to league leaders Moortown last week with a win to maintain second spot. Injuries to Olly Cook, broken arm, and Ian Downsborough, achilles, saw Chris Piper start at prop with Richard Brown at number 8. Fergus Marsden also returned from injury to start alongside Matt Beasty whilst on the bench Seife Boussada, Michael Reynolds and new signing Alex Patrick formed a strong looking set of  replacements.

The lights were on with the weather dark and gloomy but it was a bright start from Pontefract as they received the ball from a Heath kick off and immediately went on the attack. Heath gave away an early penalty and the visitors opted for a scrum which they controlled and fly-half Liam Kay waltzed through a static home defence to score a try, which he also converted, and Ponty led 7-0 with 4 minutes played. The visitors continued to bombard the Heath defence and there was some frantic tackling from the home side to keep them at bay. It wasn’t until the tenth minute that Heath eventually put in an attack following a superb clearance kick from Dan Cole which found touch in the corner. Heath were gradually clawing their way back into  the game and another clever run from Cole saw him pass to brother, Jonny, who ploughed into the visitors defence. Support from Chris Moore, Fergus Marsden and Richard Brown saw Heath pound the Pontefract defensive line and when Ezra Hinchliffe went close it seemed only a matter of time before the home side would open their account. However, Pontefract were very well organised and despite the Heath backs throwing the ball about they could not penetrate the visitors defence as half time arrived.

Head coach Dave Harrison made three changes with Matt Beasty, Fergus Marsden and Jack Crabtree being replaced and the start of the second half saw Heath continue to batter the Pontefract line. Isaiah Spooner went on a superb run before trying to release Ezra Hinchliffe but his pass was short with the try-line beckoning. Next Seife Boussadda had a strong run and when Hinchliffe released Spooner with a slick pass the centre went over for an unconverted try to reduce the arrears, 7-5, with 47 minutes played and Heath were back in the game.

On sixty minutes Chris Piper, who had put in a good workmanlike performance on his return, was replaced by Fergus Marsden with Jonny Cole moving to hooker and Alex McFadden reverting to prop. The game was a good battle between two very even sides but when Ponty missed a chance to increase their lead, missing a penalty, this seemed to inspire Heath. Heath were winning plenty of line out ball and when Pontefract impinged at one of them Ezra Hinchliffe calmly slotted the ball between the posts and Heath led 8-7 with five minutes remaining.

The game became even more frantic, but a second penalty from Hinchliffe in the dying minutes of the game 11-7 eased the supporters fears. From the re-start Heath made a mistake and Ponty pounced putting in a sustained attack. Deep into injury time with Ponty desperate for a score they dropped the ball and Reynolds picked it up and kicked the ball out for Heath to win much to the relief of all connected to Heath.

This was a hard earned win for Heath who maintained second spot and they now turn their attentions to a second derby of the month when they make the short journey to Copley to take on Old Rishworthians.

Ian Rushworth, from the Hx Courier, was there to watch.  Read his Report at:  https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/more-sport/heath-boost-hopes-of-second-spot-1-9547073

Please note that because of low-light conditions, few photos are available, this week.  Sorry.