HEATH RUN IN SEVEN TRIES IN LOCAL DERBY TO SECURE VITAL WIN

Selection:
15 Jordan Bradbrook 14 Elliott Spiers 13 Joe Morrison 12 Sam Fletcher 11 Callum Harriott-Brown 10 Chris Johnson 9 Dom Walsh 1 Paul Turner 2 Alex McFadden 3 Chris Moore 4 Matt Beasty 5 Fergus Marsden 6 Jason Merrie 7 Elliott Knight 8 Ben Stringer 16 Dan Cole 17 Saif Boussaada 18 Jack Pilcher 

Scorers:

  Jason Merrie 4  tries    Elliott Spiers 2 tries   Jack Pillcher 1 try                

 Chris Johnson  2 conversion  1 penalty

Report:

Heath made the short trip over to local rivals Cleckheaton looking to avenge a home defeat back in October and to keep the pressure on the top two, Alnwick and Billingham. Coach Harry gave a starting berth to Jordan Bradbrook at full back and Sam Fletcher, who had recovered from injury, at centre. Chris Johnson had also recovered from a hamstring injury and started, after missing the York game. Elliott Knight returned to action at flanker while on the bench sat Dan Cole, Jack Pilcher and Saif Boussaada.

After the home postponement last week, against Billingham, it was a perfect day for a return to action and there was a large contingent of Heath supporters in attendance alongside the home crowd - in this eagerly anticipated local derby, as Heath kicked off playing towards the M62.  They were quickly probing the home defence before being rewarded with a penalty which Chris Johnson converted and a 3-0 lead after three minutes was fully justified.

Heath continued to press and a clever grubber kick from Johnson saw the home defence gladly kick the ball dead. Next up, Joe Morrison went on a run before being stopped illegally and the quick thinking Dom Walsh took a tap penalty before releasing the supporting Jason Merrie for a try, converted by Chris Johnson and a score of 10-0 with eight minutes played.

Cleckheaton were struggling to contain a rampant Heath and had a player carded for ten minutes as Heath continued to dominate. Next up Matt Beasty won line out ball and as it came out to wingman Harriott-Brown his run down the line was halted by the cover defence from Cleckheaton. Cleckheaton's first foray into Heath's 22 came in the sixteenth minute when a clever cross field kick was not dealt with by the Heath defence and  wingman Mikey Hayward nipped over for a converted try, 10-7, to get the home side back into the game.

From the re-start Elliott Knight competed for the ball and was successful before releasing flying wingman Harriott-Brown who then gave it to the supporting Jordan Bradbrook who gained valuable yardage. The game had settled down as both teams battled it out but a break came on the half hour mark. Once again it was a strong run from Jordan Bradbrook who evaded several tackles before releasing the supporting Jason Merrie. He was stopped just short of the try-line but Chris Johnson was on hand to keep the ball moving and it eventually found wing Elliott Spiers who dived in for a try in the corner and Heath led 15-7.

Matt Beasty and Alex McFadden made way for Saif Boussaada and Jack Pilcher as Cleckheaton made inroads into the visitors defence and Jason Merrie received a yellow Heath were up against it. However, they managed to weather the storm and were happy to hear the half time whistle.

It had been a typical derby battle with both sides evenly matched but for some reason Cleckheaton began the second half apparently intent on disrupting the game in whatever way possible. Dan Cole came on for Jordan Bradbrook and from the whistle the home side began to take cheap shots at the Heath players on and off the ball. An early penalty for Heath saw a Cleckheaton player pass a comment to the officials and he received an immediate red card. Heath to their credit reacted by playing possession rugby and were rewarded with a second try for Elliott Spiers, converted by Johnson and a score of 22-7 with fifty minutes played was fully justified.

Jason Merrie returned to the action as Cleckheaton continued to give away penalties and he rounded off the pressure on the home defence with a try 27 -7 on the hour mark. Alex McFadden returned for an injured Ben Stringer as Heath began to turn the screw and next up Boussadda made way for Matt Beasty and with Heath in full control and playing some superb rugby, Cleckheaton's frustrations boiled over yet again and another player received a yellow leaving them with thirteen on the park. The resulting penalty found touch and from the line out Heath drove forwards to the line and Jack Pilcher could not be stopped for a try, 32-7 with seventy minutes on the clock.

Heath were now in full control as Pilcher collected the ball from the re-start and drove into the home defence and with the rest of the team in support Jason Merrie was on hand to finish off with a try, 37-7. A demoralised home team were all over the place as Heath continued to batter them and after having to kick the ball dead, from the resulting scrum, Heath surged towards the line and Merrie was on hand to score his fourth and the final score of 42-7 was fully deserved.

The second half implosion of Cleckheaton did not phase Heath and they controlled the game throughout despite intimidatory tactics which backfired for the home team. Heath fully deserved the win and maintained the pressure on the top two who still have to visit North Dean. Next week Heath have a home game against Sandal, see you there!!!!!!

League results:  Here.

League Tables:   Here.

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