JOHNSONS CONVERSIONS SECURE VALUABLE WIN AS HEATH STRUGGLE TO OVERCOME PHOENIX

Selection

15 Eddie Cartwright 14 Elliott Spiers 13 Joe Morrison 12 Tom Owen 11 Callum Harriott-Brown 10 Chris Johnson 9 Dom Walsh 1 Paul Turner 2 Jack Pilcher 3 Chris Moore 4 Matt Beasty 5 Fergus Marsden 6 Alex McFadden 7 Jason Merrie 8 Ben Stringer 16 Jack Bruce 17 Wil McLoughlin 18 Saif Boussaada

Scorers    Chris Johnson 5 Pens 1 Drop

Heath travelled to Doncaster Phoenix looking to get back on the winning trail following two defeats - and coach Harry selected the same starting line up with the only changes on the bench as he brought in Jack Bruce and Will McLoughlin and opted for Saif Boussaada. Phoenix were also looking for a win following narrow defeats and were languishing in the bottom half of the league

On a dark, dank day Phoenix kicked off putting the ball deep into the Heath 22 and there were early kicking interchanges as both teams settled into the game. Heath were the better with Paul Turner, Callum Harriott-Brown and Tom Owen making inroads into the Phoenix defence and when Heath were awarded a penalty up stepped Chris Johnson to convert, 3-0 with six minutes played.

Phoenix worked hard to get into the game and were rewarded with an unconverted try on fifteen minutes to lead 5-3.

Play was scrappy but it was Heath who were making too many mistakes and as the home side probed for a score Joe Morrison received a yellow card following a last gasp tackle, deemed high, to prevent a try. Heath were up against it and on the half hour mark it came as no surprise to see Saif Boussaada and Will Mcloughlin sent on to bolster the defence as Matt Beasty and Jack Pilcher took a breather. Morrison returned and credit must go to Heath for a battling display when down to fourteen players. With half time approaching a brilliant break from Elliott Spiers saw the wingman make 50 metres turning defence into attack and with Phoenix now desperately defending Chris Johnson stepped up to convert another penalty and Heath led 6-5 as the half time whistle sounded.

The second half began with Phoenix on the attack and they took the lead again with a converted penalty, 8-6, but Heaths response was immediate as they foraged into the home side's half and yet another penalty from Chris Johnson restored the visitors lead, 9-8, with 50 minutes played. Phoenix responded with a deep kick collected by Eddie Cartwright who went on a run. He was robbed of the ball but Joe Morrison ripped it back and Heath were now looking to add to their score. Next up Will McLouhghlin made a darting run as Heath continued to press and as the ball came out to Callum Harriott-Brown the wingman was held up short of the line. Next up, a drive from Ben Stringer saw another covering tackle from Phoenix who were defending well and so Chris Johnson took control with a drop kick to ensure Heath at least came away from this sustained attack with points, 12-8 after sixty-five minutes. This period was the best Heath had played and as Jack Bruce came on for Elliott Spiers yet another penalty from Johnson saw Heath's lead increase to 15-8 with ten minutes left.

The score seemed to spur Phoenix into action and it was Heath's turn to defend their lead and from one surge Paul Turner was yellow carded and Phoenix took advantage. Matt Beasty and Jack Pilcher returned to bolster the defence but Phoenix were not to be denied and following a clever grubber kick saw them level the scores,15-15, with a converted try as the game moved into injury time.

From the re-start Heath went looking to try and snatch a win and following some desperate tackling from the home side they conceded a penalty and up stepped Chris Johnson to keep his nerve and convert his fifth penalty to snatch the game 18-15.

The win was welcome relief to Heath and their loyal band of supporters, but there will have to be more hard work on the training paddock this week as they prepare to take on fourth place Driffield at North Dean next week. 

Details of all Saturday's results:  here

League Table after today's games:   here

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