Great win in Local Derby.

Selection:

Heron, Puttick, Cook, Shipman, Downsborough, Cole, Sharp, Ward, Rowntree, Cartwright, Granger, Brown, Malthouse, Cadogen, Bruce.
Subs: Burbidge, Dawes, Haigh, Horner, Dance, & Sutcliffe.

Scorers:

Tries: Bruce (3), Malthouse, Cadogen, Dance, & Sutcliffe.
Goals: Cook (3) & Cartwright.

Heath welcomed local rivals Cleckheaton looking to continue their rich vein of form.

Heath dominated the first quarter of the game, patiently building pressure and retaining possession superbly. Jack Malthouse ran onto a well-timed pass from centre partner Si Brown before arcing round the cover to score a great try under the posts, Olly Cook converted.

Jack Bruce scored next, benefitting from a number of powerful drives for the line before Eddie Cartwright released him for a simple score, Cook converted.

Brook Ward, George Heron, Ian Downsborough and Jonny Cole were leading the charge, carrying hard and punching holes in a tiring defence. After a number of scrums on the visitor's line, Max Rowntree found Sam Sharp on the blindside before he sent a well-timed pass to Phil Cadogen who dived in at the corner. Halfbacks and players of the match, Rowntree and Cartwright started to exploit gaps in the defence, making long breaks. Subs Carter Haigh and Richard Dance lifted the tempo with some massive hits and bruising runs. Bruce slid in from close range to score his second after Mark Puttick and Joe Shipman had gone close.

Half time 24-0.

Cleckheaton had grown into the game and Heath knew they would need to stay focussed. Brown left the field with a nasty facial injury after clashing heads with Max Dawes, who also had to retire from the game. Heath continued to press with Cartwright prominent, Olly Burbidge and Cook went close before Cleck’s hooker was sin binned for dissent. Dance took it upon himself to tap and carry a number of defenders over the line, Cook converted.

Bruce completed his hatrick shortly after, crashing through two would be tacklers. Cleckheaton hit back with try from close range. Puttick lead the defensive effort superbly, with Cole, Malthouse and Rowntree making important tackles as the visitors looked for another score.

Cartwright made a great break before releasing Harry Granger, the ball was recycled and spun out to the left where Ben ‘The Physio’ Sutcliffe collected and finished well in the corner, Cartwright converted.

Cleckheaton never let their heads drop and managed to score the last converted try of the game. Full time 43-12.

Our focus now turns to Selby at home next Saturday. UTH 👊

The whole squad would like to wish Si Brown a speedy recovery 🤕