HEATH LOSE FOR FIRST TIME THIS SEASON AS BILLINGHAM DOMINATE FIRST HALF TO SECURE WIN

Selection
15 Eddie Cartwright 14 Elliott Spiers 13 Joe Morrison 12 Tom Owen 11 Matthew Hallett 10 Chris Johnson 9 Dom Walsh 1 Rondene Johnson 2 Jack Pilcher 3 Chris Moore 4 Matt Beasty 5 Fergus Marsden 6 Jason Merrie 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Ben Stringer 16 Paul Turner 17 Alex McFadden 18 Ian Downsborough

Scorers 
Joe Morrison 1 try Jason Merrie 1 try Jack Pilcher 1 try Chris Johnson 1 try 2 cons 1 pen

Report
Heath travelled to second placed Billingham looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season but had to make several changes to the side. Missing were Sam Fletcher and Callum Harriott-Brown with leg injuries so in came Tom Owen at centre with Matthew Hallett reverting to the wing. The forwards were also shuffled, due to the unavailability of Saif Boussaada, with a starting berth for Rondene Johnson and Jack Pilcher as Paul Turner and Alex McFadden took a turn on the bench alongside the persona grata that is Ian Downsborough.

Conditions were perfect for a game of this importance as the referee blew to start the battle. Both sides tested each other out early doors but it was the visitors who struck first following a successful Chris Johnson penalty after 3 minutes and Heath led 3-0.

The first 10 minutes saw Heath in control but they were finding it difficult to adapt to the artificial surface and with the home side keeping possession some slick handling saw them open their account with an unconverted try 5-3 with 15 minutes played. Shortly afterwards, they again ripped the Heath defence apart with a second unconverted try 10-3.

Heath continued to battle and with 25 minutes played Rondene Johnson, Jack Pilcher and Matt Beasty were replaced by Paul Turner, Alex McFadden and Ian Downsborough. The game was developing into an even contest but following a quick penalty by the home side they tore through a static Heath defence for a third try, this time converted, 17-3 with 30 minutes on the clock. Heath were slow to react and were punished with a fourth try on 34 minutes following yet another quickly taken penalty, 24-3. With Billingham on fire the loss of Jason Merrie, who was carded, enabled the home side to take further advantage with a fifth try 29-3 and the game looked lost. It had been a very disappointing half for Heath who needed to re-group if they were to prevent a rout.

The second half began with Billingham continuing to keep possession distributing the ball quickly and pulling Heath apart and on 45 minutes they added another try 34-3 and the game looked dead and buried for the Heath faithful.

Merrie returned to the battle as Heath continued to fight to get  back into the game and eventually they managed to keep hold of the ball with strong runs from Eddie Cartwright, Harvey Keighley-Payne and Tom Owen and from a scrum Dom Walsh whipped the ball out along the line and Joe Morrison was on hand to score a try 34-8 with 55 minutes played.

From the re-start Heath collected and went searching for another score and as Pilcher returned to the action, replacing Chris Moore on the hour mark, another bout of ball possession enabled Jason Merrie to finish with a try on 63 minutes converted by Chris Johnson, 34-15. Billingham looked down as Heath were now playing with a lot more confidence and as Matt Beasty came on for the injured Matthew Hallett they continued to go in search of another score with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Billingham were having to soak up constant pressure and lost a player following a yellow card. Heath took advantage. Ben Stringer won line out ball and up popped Jack Pilcher with a try as they drove towards the line. Chris Johnson converted 34-22 with 67 minutes on the clock and now Heath went in search of a bonus point fourth try. They were in no mood to lie down and as Paul Turner drove into the home sides defence the ball came out to Tom Owen who linked up with the supporting Eddie Cartwright and his pass to Joe Morrison saw him held short of the line before Chris Johnson was on hand to secure a try, 34-27 with 5 minutes remaining.

Heath were now looking to go for the  win with the home side stunned but they manged to hold out and from a rare attack a cross-field kick was somehow collected by the Billingham wing who went over in the corner for a final score 38-27. Heath replied strongly but time was not on their side and as the referee blew for full time it was a much relieved home crowd who were able to celebrate the win.

As they say this was a game of two halves with Heath struggling in the first half to contain a rampant Billingham side who played the artificial pitch perfectly to their advantage. However, the second half belonged to Heath who dug deep to secure something from a game that looked dead and buried at half time and with a bit more luck they could have snatched a losing bonus point to go with their try bonus, or even a draw.

The top of the table sees Heath maintain top spot on 30 points with Billingham level on points but with an inferior points difference. Next week Heath have a local derby at home to Cleckheaton, see you there!!!!!!

Results for the League.  Details here.

League Table.  Details here.