Harrogate injury time try denies Heath away win

Selection

15 Sam Fletcher 14 Elliott Spiers 13 Tom Clough 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Callum Harriott-Brown 10 Chris Johnson 9 Dom Walsh 1 Olly Cook 2 Alex McFadden 3 Josh Crickmay 4 Saif Boussaada 5 Fergus Marsden 6 Elliott Knight 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Ben Stringer 16 Dan Cole 17 Chris Moore 18 Ian Downsborough

Scorers

Elliott Spiers 1 try,    Chris Johnson 3 pens 1 con

Report

Heath travelled to Harrogate for a first ever league meeting between the clubs after Harrogate were relegated from National 2 North at the end of last season. Heath had one enforced change due to injury to Stephen Hare so in came the effervescent Ian Downsborough who took his place on the bench. Josh Crickmay started at prop as Chris Moore took his seat alongside Downsborough and Dan Cole.

A large crowd had gathered for the fixture as both teams took to the field and early exchanges saw both teams battle to gain the upper hand. Harrogate struck first when Rowan McNab converted a penalty but from the re-start Callum Harriott-Brown managed to secure the ball and with Ezra Hinchliffe, Tom Clough and Chris Johnson in support the home side gave away a penalty, which Chris Johnson converted and Heath were level 3-3 with less than ten minutes on the clock. The visitors pack were dominating the scums and as Harrogate struggled they gave away another penalty which Johnson converted and Heath led 6-3 with fifteen minutes played.

Heath were now taking control of the game and from a clever cross-field penalty kick Elliott Spiers collected the ball in oceans of room and sped for the try-line but a score was halted by some frantic cover defence from the home side. Harrogate were struggling to contain Heath as Saif Boussaada made a strong run towards the home try-line supported by Josh Crickmay and Olly Cook. Harrogate punted clear but the ball fell into the hands of Sam Fletcher who went on a jinking run before kicking through to chase. A favourable bounce would have seen a try but Gate covered making the ball dead.  From the drop out Dom Walsh collected and it was his chance to press making a great break but his final pass to the supporting Ezra Hinchliffe was short and a certain try was lost.

On the half hour mark a rare break from Harrogate resulted in McNab converting a penalty, 6-6, much against the run of play. Chris Moore came on for Olly Cook as Heath set about re-gaining the lead. From a line-out Boussaada collected the ball and Heath drove to the try-line. Alex McFadden, Josh Crickmay and Chris Moore drove the ball forwards but Harrogate remained strong. Next up, from a scrum the Heath pack drove forwards and when the ball came out to Ezra Hinchliffe he released Elliott Spiers and the speedy wingman went over for a deserved try, converted by Johnson and Heath led deservedly 13-6 with thirty minutes on the clock. From the re-start Harvey Keighley-Payne collected the ball and went on a thirty-metre run before releasing Chris Johnson whose clever kick to the corner was chased down by Sam Fletcher but the full back was bundled into touch as a try looked on the cards. McFadden from the throw found Fergus Marsden who collected majestically and the drive was on but Harrogate, much to their credit held firm. When the half time whistle sounded Harrogate had been under pressure for most of the half but were still in the game.

Harrogate began the half pressing the Heath defence but the visitors were in no mood to concede. Cook returned for Crickmay and Dan Cole entered the arena replacing Sam Fletcher. On fifty minutes Heaths first visit into the Harrogate half resulted in a penalty conversion from Chris Johnson to extend their lead 16-6. Heath were now controlling the game with Johnson splaying the ball around the pitch but, on the hour mark, they lost the services of Tom Clough, carded for a high tackle. Heath, despite being under pressure were playing with confidence and from a rare break were awarded a penalty but Johnsons punt hit the post and this seemed to inspire the home side into a reaction.

Ian Downsborough and Josh Crickmay replaced Olly Cook and Saif Boussaada and when the ten minutes in bin was up Sam Fletcher restored Heath to a full team with no damage done. With ten minutes remaining Harrogate mounted a last big effort and when McNab converted a penalty, 16-9 this looked to secure a losing bonus point but Harrogate wanted more. Driven on by a vocal home support Gate went in search of a try and with the Heath defence spent deep into added on time Harrogate pounded the visitors try-line and pressure told as they secured a converted try to level the scores.

This was a really intense game with both teams fully committed to playing some good rugby. A game of “what ifs” for Heath but credit must go to Harrogate for battling throughout. The result sees Heath slip to second spot with Gate in third as new leaders Doncaster Phoenix take over following victory over Scunthorpe. Next up Sandal at home, see you there!!

League Results here.

League Table here.

Photos:  Andy Keighley & Dave Garforth.  More of Andy's extra photos can be viewed here.