FIVE TRY ONSLAUGHT IN FIRST HALF SECURES MAXIMUM POINTS

Selection:

15 Eddie Cartwright 14 Elliott Spiers 13 Joe Morrison 12 Tom Owen 11 Callum Harriett-Brown 10 Alex Bull 9 Dom Walsh 1 Paul Turner 2 Jack Pilcher 3 Chris Moore 4 Matt Beasty 5 Ben Stringer 6 Jason Merrie 7 Jonny Cole 8 Will McLaughlin 16 Si Brown 17 Alex McFadden 18 Ian Downsborough

Report:

Heath resumed their season, following two postponed games, as they travelled to Leeds based Moortown looking to extend their unbeaten run of nine games. Missing from the starting line-up were Seif Boussaada and Matt Hallett but Ben Stringer returned from injury to slot into the second row and Eddie Cartwright started at full back. On the bench sat three veterans of the club Si Brown, Alex McFadden and Ian Downsborough who between them have a combined age of 110 plus years which must have been a record for the club.

In blustery conditions Heath began the game playing into the wind and Moortown looked confident with ball in hand, but the first real clash saw Ben Stringer smash into a home player and the ball came loose. Strong runs from Tom Owen and Will McLaughlin saw Heath make good yardage and with clever back up from Dom Walsh and Joe Morrison, Stringer was on hand to charge over the line for a try and Heath led 5-0 with 4 minutes on the clock for the perfect start.

Heath were in the mood for further tries. Moortown could not compete and a slick pass from Jason Merrie to Elliott Spiers saw the wingman score in the corner, 10-0 with 7 minutes played. Moortown re-grouped and went in search of a score and when Will McLaughlin was sent to the bin it looked like they would open their account but Heath were determined not to concede anything and cleared their lines.

Back to full strength the visitors went in search of adding to their tally and following some exquisite rugby Matt Beasty was on hand to score a third try and a score of 15-0 after 27 minutes played was fully justified. Moortown did respond but the visitors were in no mood to concede, putting in some sterling defensive work as the home team becoming frustrated and back chatting did not help their cause. From yet another steal, Joe Morrison and Eddie Cartwright linked to run half the length of the field before releasing Elliott Spiers - the wingman scored in the corner for the bonus point try with 35 minutes played, 20-0. Heath were in no mood to let their hosts score and as half time approached Moortown had players sent to the bin and it came as no surprise to see Jack Pilcher score a fifth try, this time converted by Alex Bull and a half time score of 27-0.

The hosts began the second half with thirteen players but showed character by scoring a converted try on 48 minutes to reduce the arrears, 27-7. However, they continued to show a lack of discipline and had yet another player sent to the bin. Alex McFadden came on for Jack Pilcher on 55 minutes and when Joe Morrison was injured on the hour mark Si Brown entered the arena. The game was a real battle but once again Moortown's discipline let them down and they were reduced to thirteen players with ten minutes left to play. Undeterred, they continued to press for a score and were rewarded in the final play of the game with an unconverted try and a final score of 27-12.

Heath fully justified their win with some fast flowing rugby and solid defence in a workmanlike performance. They secured maximum points to maintain third spot in the league and next week they entertain Driffield, who sit in pole position, in what is going to be another game not to be missed.