LAST GASP VICTORY FOR HEATH

Team:

A McFadden, J Cole, C Moore, M Beasty, A Patrick, F Marsden, J Merrie, R Brown.

M Reynolds, D Cole, C Harriott-Brown, E Hinchliffe, S Brown, C Robinson, J Crabtree.

S Boussada, C Piper, I Downsborough.
 

Heath travelled to Hullensians looking to bounce back from a narrow home defeat to Beverley last week and despite putting in a below-par performance on the East coast managed to secure 4 points to maintain second spot in the league. Heath were hit with an unexpected injury to influential centre Isahia Spooner in the warm up so Si Brown filled the vacant position with Ian Downsborough replacing him on the bench. On the wing Chris Robinson also started for the first time.

An error from an Hullensians kick off probably was an indication of what the afternoon was going to be like for Heath and their loyal band of supporters as the home side battered the visitors defence in the opening 20 minutes, scoring an unconverted try after wing Tom McCarthy went over in the corner after 8 minutes followed by several desperate tackles to prevent any further score. Heath managed to put in their first real attack as the half hour mark approached.  Drives from Richard Brown and Jason Merrie, Michael Reynolds released the Heath backs and a pass from Ezra Hinchliffe saw Alex Patrick drive towards the line only to be held up by a resolute home defence. Hullensians came back into the game strong and Chris Lound added a penalty, 8-0. Chris Piper came on to replace Fergus Marsden as coach Harrison shuffled the pack but Hullensians were not making life easy for the visitors. Heath managed to get on the scoreboard when a penalty from Ezra Hinchliffe sailed between the posts and an 8-3 score-line meant Heath were still in the game but it had been a difficult first 40 minutes.  

Seiffe Boussadda replaced Matt Beasty as Heath went in search of clawing their way back into the game and a couple of penalties from Ezra Hinchliffe saw Heath take the lead 9-8 with 50 minutes played. The game was littered with mistakes from both sides in the next period of the game as both teams went close to adding to their tally. Fergus Marsden re-entered the fray, replacing Si Brown as Jason Merrie moved to centre, and Heath went in search of adding to the score-line. Jack Crabtree put in a clever kick to set up Callum Harriett-Brown but an injury to Michael Reynolds brought Si Brown back into the action with Crabtree moving to scrum half and 15 minutes of the game left to play. Heath continued to go in search of a score and were rewarded with a try to break the deadlock. Ezra Hinchliffe made a break and his pass to the supporting Alex Patrick saw him storm towards the line. He was held short but the supporting Chris Robinson enabled the winger to run through the Hullensians defence to score an unconverted try in the corner and Heath led 14-8 with 10 minutes remaining. An injury to Boussadda saw Matt Beasty return to bolster the Heath defence which was being bombarded by a final onslaught from the home side. With the clock ticking down Heath were clinging on giving away several penalties and from one, a quick tap from Tommy Sawden saw the scrum half release wing Josh Longford who scored in the corner to move within a point. With the last kick of the game Chris Lound had the opportunity to snatch the win but his kick sailed wide of the mark much to the relief of all from Heath and the points were secured.

This was perhaps a performance to forget from Heath but Hullensians made life very difficult as they were desperate for points in their fight to claw their way away from the relegation places. A week off before Heath return to home action against Guisborough on March 2nd and plenty of time on the training paddock for the  Heath coaching team to work with the players to rectify some of the problems.