BRUISING ENCOUNTER BUT ANOTHER 5 POINTS

  
15 Si Brown 14 Chris Robinson 13 Eddie Cartwright 12 Willie Tufui 11 Callum Harriett-Brown 10 Dan Cole 9 Dom Walsh 1 Paul Turner 2 Alex McFadden 3 Chris Moore 4 Seif Boussaada 5 Alex Patrick  6 Dave Skinner 7 Jonny Cole 8 Jordan Moana 16 Olly Cook 17 Matt Beasty 18 Richard Brown

Heath were forced into a change to their original line-up when Ezra  Hinchliffe missed a connecting flight back from Japan and so off the bench came the evergreen Si Brown to full back with  Eddie  Cartwright moving to centre and Richard Brown slotting onto the bench. Bridlington arrived at North Dean looking to build on their first win of the season last week against Hullensians.

The pitch was saturated following a week of rain but the sun shone as Bridlington kicked off and  mounted a spirited attack in the opening minutes.  Heath were switched on, unlike previous games, and following a flowing move from the backs set up an attack on the visitors defence. A drive from Dave Skinner enabled Alex Patrick to grab the ball and force himself over the line to open Heaths try tally. Dan Cole added the extras and Heath led 7-0 with 6 minutes played

Heath continued to look strong but Bridlington re-grouped and mounted an attack before Callum Harriett-Brown intercepted a pass in his own 22 and sped the full length of the field, leaving the visitors floundering, to score Heaths second try, 12-0, on 10 minutes.

Could this be a rout?  Bridlington had other ideas. They clawed their way back into the game from the re-start scoring a converted try 12-7, and then had another break when, from a Heath attack, they intercepted a pass and ran from the half way line to score a second converted try to lead 14-12 with 17 minutes played. Game on!

The match continued to ebb and flow and following good work from wing pair Harriett-Brown and Chris Robinson this was followed by strong runs from Jordan Moana and Seif Boussaada as the Bridlington defence creaked. This pressure resulted in a penalty, which Dan Cole slotted over and Heath led 15-14 after 22 minutes. Matt Beasty and Richard Brown replaced Boussaada and Moana as Heath went in search of another score and Cole added a penalty to increase Heaths lead 18-14. It was a real battle with both sides fully committed as half time approached.

Heath were first out of the blocks at the start of the second half with the forwards making good yardage following drives from Patrick, Beasty, Willie Tufui and Jonny Cole and from a scum, which Heath were now dominating, the referee awarded a penalty as the Bridlington forwards capitulated, and Cole converted, 21-14, with 45 minutes played. It looked as if Heath would continue to build on the score but out of the blue Bridlington ran in a third converted try to level the scores 21-21.

The match was being played at breakneck speed with both sets of players fully committed and following a yellow car to a Brid player Heath once again mounted another attack. Olly Cook was instrumental in making a strong drive to the try-line and the visitors were on the back foot. They were desperate to prevent a score but after giving away a number of penalties the referee had no option but to award Heath a penalty try and a lead of 28-21 after 55 minutes. This seemed to ignite Heath and Eddie Cartwright, Harriett-Brown and Si Brown set up the next attack linking well before a follow up surge from Alex McFadden and Jonny Cole as Heath went in search of a bonus point try. The visitors defence was all over the place and it came as no surprise to see Olly Cook finish off an excellent move to score a try, converted by Dan Cole, and a score of 35-21 on the hour mark.

Much to Bridlingtons credit they continued to battle but were finding Heath tough and Dan Cole added yet another penalty, 38-21, before Heath scored a final try when Dom Walsh fed Si Brown who went over for a converted try and a final score of 45-21 and maximum points.

The score does not reflect the battle between two fully committed sides over the eighty minutes but with maximum points secured Heath now move on to a vital clash next week when they  travel to second place Beverley.

Finally, Dan Cole was awarded MoM, amongst other things, for his game management.

Dave Skinner also picked up his First XV Tie, after making his twentieth appearance.

Congrats to both the lads.