THREE SPARKLING TRIES LIGHT UP DOUR DERBY GAME

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

Heath made the short trip to local rivals Old Rishworthians looking to keep the pressure on at the top of Yorkshire 1 with the home side also desperate for a win to stave off relegation issues. Heath  were forced to make several changes with Eddie Cartwright unavailable so Jack Crabtree reverted to full back, Michael Reynolds was given a start and new signing Alex Patrick also began as he replaced Fergus Marsden who had a place on the bench alongside Seife Boussadda and Jordan Moana.

In good conditions a sizeable crowd had gathered to witness this derby match and the opening 30 minutes were dominated by both defences. Heath probably had most of the play in the opening 10 minutes with Rishies giving away numerous penalties and it was on 13 minutes that the home side had their first real attack but it was a typical derby game with little leeway between both sides. On 30 minutes Matt Beasty and Alex Patrick both putting in a strong defensive stint were replaced by  Fergus Marsden and Seife Boussadda as Heath went looking for an opening.The game needed someone to sparkle and on 33 minutes flying wingman Callum Harriett-Brown provided it. From a scrum just inside Heaths half Michael Reynolds fed Dan Cole who in turn slipped a pass to the supporting Jack Crabtree. His delightful pass to Harriett-Brown saw the speedy wingman set off from the half way line and as he evaded several attempted tackles he went over in the corner for an unconverted try and Heath led 5-0 with 33 minutes on the clock. From the re-start, however, Heath once again managed to gift the ball to Rishies who were awarded a penalty but an easy chance to get on the scoreboard was missed much to the relief of all from Heath. As half time approached Old Rishworthians had a player sin-binned and Heath tried to take advantage with Boussadda and Jason Merrie going on a couple of probing runs but half time arrived with no further  score.

The second half began strongly for Heath with Richard Brown, Jonny Cole, Chris Moore all prominent but they could not find a way through the home defence. On 50 minutes Chris Piper and Si Brown were replaced by Matt Beasty and Jordan Moana as coach Dave Harrison tried to get his charges firing and this had an immediate effect. Jason Merrie once again broke the line and then Alex McFadden gained valuable yardage and Rishies had to concede a penalty on 55 minutes. Ezra Hinchliffe converted and increased the lead to 8-0. Dan Cole was beginning to take charge with some astute positional kicking and Rishies were clinging on to prevent a further score. Ezra Hinchliffe linked up with Harriett-Brown who in turn released Merrie and from a scrum near the half way line Richard Brown broke free. He handed the ball to the supporting Michael Reynolds who slipped a pass to the onrushing Isaiah Spooner and the centre went over in the corner for a thrilling try and Heath increased their lead to 13-0 with 65 minutes on the clock. Alex Patrick re-entered the field to replace Matt Beasty and once again the home side went in search of a score. With 75 minutes on the clock with Rishies pressing the visitors try-line yet another superb clearance kick from Dan Cole saw the flying Harriett-Brown scoop up the ball on the half way line and he ran in under the posts for a third try, converted by Hinchliffe, and a lead of 20-0 saw the game won. However, much to Rishworthians credit they bounced back with an unconverted try in the final minutes as a consolation. There was still time for Heath to go looking for the extra bonus point starting with a superb break from Patrick backed up by a sterling run from Moana. .

A line out 5 metres from the Rishies line again saw Brown and Boussadda batter the home defence but it was to no avail as the referee blew for full time.

Three tries in the game enabled Heath to clinch four points and maintain second spot. Heath now  have an enforced break with no  game next week and return  to action on February 9th when they entertain in form Beverley.