Another good win on the Road, for Heath.

Squad:

Heron, Puttick, Cook, Dance, Shipman, Dawes, Wilkinson, Ward, Rowntree, Cole, Knight, Brown, Malthouse, Granger, Bruce.
Subs: Whitworth & Horner.

Scorers:

Tries: Malthouse (2), Bruce, Knight, Granger, Cook, & Puttick.
Cons: Cole (4).
Pen: Cole.

Report:

Heath travelled to Keighley well aware that they would be in for a tough contest. The large crowd weren’t disappointed as both teams went toe to toe for eighty minutes.

The visitors started brightly with Heath’s pack setting a good platform. Impressive new signing, Jack Malthouse, fed Jack Bruce who glided through from 40 metres, converted by Richard Cole. Heath were two tries up when the other new recruit, Elliot Knight, took a well-timed inside ball from Si Brown to score a converted try next to the upright. Heath’s back row of Max Dawes, Matthew Wilkinson, Brook Ward and later Sam Horner defended superbly all game against heavier, direct opposition. Keighley scored two quick fire tries to level the scores. Oliver Cook, Richard Dance and George Heron carried hard and got Heath back on the front foot. Max Rowntree and Knight made good breaks with no end product. After a couple of near misses, Bruce unlucky as he streaked clear from a scrum move, the ball was whipped from left to right for Harry Granger to sidestep and crash over. Half time 14-19.

The visitors knew they had to continue to stand up to the big runners and remain disciplined. Captain Joe Shipman and Mark Puttick pulled the pack together and took it to the home side. A great start to the half was capped off when Cole fed Malthouse who stood up his opposite number and scored his first Heath try wide out.  Keighley worked hard to get back in the game and after a poor clearance scored an unconverted try to reduce the arrears. Poor discipline in midfield saw Heath camp on Keighley line, Dance and Shipman went close before Cole popped up the pass for Cook to continue his impressive try scoring record.

With 20 minutes remaining, Keighley threw everything at Heath but the visitors superior fitness and discipline shone through. James Whitworth and Horner filled in on the wings as Heath had to reshuffle after injuries to Rowntree and Wilkinson. After another penalty, Cole added 3 points to push the lead out 13 points. Malthouse went hard at the line and scored from close range; Cole converted.

Keighley started to unravel with a yellow card brandished. A few cheap shots later, Puttick sidestepped his way over to crown a great victory, Cole converted via the inside of the post. Full time 19-46.

This was an excellent performance from 1-17, every player stuck to the task and the game plan for a deserved victory.
UTH 👊