HEATH SECURE VITAL WIN IN EPIC BATTLE AGAINST ALNWICK

Selection
15 Eddie Cartwright 14 Elliott Spiers 13 Jordan Bradbrook 12 Chris  Johnson 11 Callum Harriott-Brown 10 Dan Cole  9  Dom Walsh 1 Paul Turner 2 Alex  McFadden 3 Chris Moore 4 Saif Boussaada 5 Fergus Marsden 6 Jason Merrie 7  Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Ben Stringer 16 Elliott Knight 17 Jack Malthouse 18 Olly Cook

Scorers
Saif Boussaada 1 try   Jason Merrie 1 try    Penalty try  Dom Walsh  1 try
Chris Johnson  3 cons   4 pens

Report
Heath entertained Alnwick, who made the long trek down the A1, for a first ever visit to North Dean. Coach Harry once again had to make changes to the squad with Jack Pilcher and Sam Fletcher injured Eddie Cartwright returned at full back with Olly Cook on the bench. There was also  a  starting position for Harvey Keighley-Payne as Elliott Knight reverted to the bench.

Conditions were ideal for this eagerly anticipated game and a large crowd had gathered to witness the encounter and they were not disappointed with what followed for the next eighty minutes. Heath kicked off playing towards the Stainland Road end and were quickly out of the blocks putting pressure on the visitors defence. Alnwick's first foray into the Heath half came after 5 minutes and when they were awarded a penalty; Moir stepped up to convert and the Visitors led 3-0.

From the re-start, Alnwick allowed the ball to bounce and the flying winger, Callum Harriott-Brown, pounced - grabbing the ball before releasing the supporting Saif Boussaada who crashed over the line for a try, converted by Chris Johnson, and Heath led 7-3.  Just the reaction needed.

Alnwick once again bounced back and when they were awarded another penalty on 10 minutes, Moir again obliged 7-6. Once again, Heath reacted keeping the ball and going through the phases and they were rewarded with a penalty conversion from Johnson 10-6 with 15 minutes on the clock.

It had been a superb start to the game with both teams fully committed and Alnwick's response again was crucial, winning line out ball and driving towards the Heath try-line as Smith crashed over for a try, converted by Moir, to take the lead again 13-10 with a quarter of the game played.

The game continued to ebb and flow as both sides went in search of a score. A kick deep from Eddie Cartwright found touch near the visitors' try-line and, when they overthrew the ball, Heath collected and drove forwards. Chris Moore and Paul Turner made valuable yardage before the ball was spun out to wingman Harriott-Brown and he was held short before Jason Merrie was on hand to crash over for a try, again converted by Chris Johnson and Heath led again 17-13 in this enthralling battle.

Next up, quick thinking from Dom Walsh, taking a quick penalty tap and run, resulted in a penalty award and Johnson stepped up to convert to increase the home side's lead to 20-13 as the half hour mark approached. The crowd were fully immersed in the game which was a fine spectacle and after Ben Stringer was carded, the visitors took advantage levelling the scores with a converted try, Todd touching down and Moir adding the extras.

Time for Olly Cook and Elliott Knight to enter the arena, replacing Keighley-Payne and Paul Turner and they were involved immediately as Heath pushed for another score and after some excellent inter-passing from the home side Alnwick struggled to contain them and when Walsh was tackled off the ball, with a touchdown begging, the referee had no option but to award a penalty try and card the offending player.  Heath again took the lead 27-20 as half time arrived.

This had been a splendid first half with both teams fully committed to entertaining the crowd.

It was a great start to the second half for Heath, when a kick through found touch in the visitors' 22. Fergus Marsden soared high in the line, to collect the ball, but Alnwick impeded him and from the resulting penalty Johnson slotted the ball between the post 30-20. Back came Alnwick and Moir reduced the arrears with a penalty on 50 minutes, 30-23, what a game.

Keighley-Payne returned to the action replacing Merrie as the game developed into a mid-field battle with players having to leave the field injured.  It  was still anyone's game to win and when Olly Cook crashed through a couple of tackles to make valuable yardage, Jordan Bradbrook was on hand to keep the ball moving before releasing  Eliott Spiers who collected, before releasing Dom Walsh who sprinted over for the best try of the game, once again converted by Johnson and Heath had increased their lead to 37-23 with twenty minutes left to play.

Jack Malthouse replaced Dan Cole as Alnwick tried to respond but Heath were in no mood to let them score. The game continued to go from end to end and, after another barnstorming run from Olly Cook resulting in a penalty, Johnson stepped up for yet another conversion 40-23. The game looked dead and buried but Alnwick, much to  their credit, were in no mood to surrender. Dan Cole returned for Johnson and Paul Turner came on for Chris  Moore but they could not prevent Alnwick from going over for a converted try; but time was running out and Heath had won the game 40-30.

This had been one of the best contested matches seen at North Dean this season. Both teams deserve credit for playing the match in true rugby spirit and as they congratulated each other at the end of the game the supporters clapped both teams as they left the field. The win moves Heath up to third spot, one point behind second place Driffield but with a game in hand.

Next up is another home game - against in-form Ilkley who beat Driffield today. Get down early to reserve your place for another game not to be missed!!

More photos to come, courtesy Vic Heritage - Sports Photographer and regular contributor to Heathweb Reports.

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