HEATH SNATCH DRAMATIC WIN WITH TRY IN FINAL MINUTES TO RETURN TO WINNING WAYS

Selection
15 Dan Cole 14 Elliott Spiers 13 Jack Malthouse 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Callum Harriott-Brown 10 Chris Johnson 9 Dom Walsh 1 Chris Moore 2 Alex McFadden 3 Josh Crickmay 4 Saif Boussaada 5 Peter Hampshire 6 Elliot Knight 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Ian Downsborough 16 Joe Morrison 17 Tom Clough 18 Jack Pilcher

Scorers
Jack Malthouse 1 try Chris Moore 1 try  Joe Morrison 1 try Chris Johnson 2 pens 2 cons

Report
Heath were forced into making several changes to the team from last time out against Pontefract. Dan Cole had a start at full back, for the unavailable Sam Fletcher, with the forwards seeing a debut for Peter Hampshire in the second row with Ian Downsborough moving to 8, again for the unavailable Ben Stringer. It was also a welcome return from injury for captain Harvey Keighley-Payne. On the bench sat Joe Morrison, Tom Clough and it was a first appearance of the season for Jack Pilcher.

It was a fine, crisp day as Heath chose to play with the sun at their backs. York began the game with a deep kick which resulted in a penalty but the attempt for points was just missed and Heath had a let off. Heath chose to kick deep from defence using the conditions to gain an advantage and when an opportunity arose to get on the scoreboard the reliable boot of Chris Johnson converted a penalty to take the lead 3-0 with only three minutes played.

A mistake once again from the re-start gave York a chance to level the scores but an easy conversion was missed, could it be Heath's day? The visitors responded looking a lot sharper with ball in hand and when Chris Johnson added to his tally with another converted penalty after ten minutes, 6-0 looked good for the Heath followers.

Defensively, Heath were in determined mood but a mistake from a lineout on the half way line saw York win the ball and storm through for a converted try, 7-6 with a quarter of the game played. Heath's response was immediate and, following some slick inter passing, Jack Malthouse was on hand to round off a superb move with a try in the corner and when Chris Johnson added the extras Heath led 13-7.

Jack Pilcher replaced Chris Moore as York looked to get back into the game and were rewarded with yet another penalty in front of the posts but an easy conversion was missed and it was a let off for Heath. York continued to press but Heath were in determined mood and were happy to hear the half time whistle with no further score.

Joe Morrison replaced Ian Downsborough at the start of the second half as York continued where they had left off, pressing for a score and after several penalties given away by Heath, Harvey Keighley-Payne was the sacrificial lamb for a yellow and Heath were up against it. York continued to press and were rewarded with a converted try to take the lead 14-13. Heath responded with good runs from Ezra Hinchliffe and Saif Boussaada but they could not find a way through a solid home defence. Jack Pilcher made way for Chris Moore to return but with Heath once again under pressure Josh Crickmay received a card and they were down to thirteen and had no chance when York ran in another converted try, 21-13 with a quarter of the game to play.

Tom Clough came on for Jack Malthouse as Heath looked to get back into the game and when Ian Downsborough returned for Peter Hampshire and Harvey KP returned from the bin Heath were now pressing for a score. They were rewarded when a super kick from Johnson found touch in the corner. The lineout was won by Heath and Harvey Keighly-Payne was on hand to drive for the line. Back up was swift and from the resulting drives Chris Moore was on hand to secure a try to bring Heath back into the game. Unfortunately, the conversion from Johnson hit the post but a score of 21-18 meant it was anyone's game.

Heath were back to full strength as the home side put them under pressure but Heath were in no mood to allow a score and mounted one last BIG effort. Powerful runs from Boussaada, Crickmay, Pilcher and Clough battered the home defence into submission as Heath kept their nerve and Joe Morrison was on hand to secure the vital try, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath took the lead 25-21 with four minutes remaining.

One last effort from the home side saw Heath holding out but a deep clearance from Johnson was chased down by Callum Harriott-Brown in the York 25 and the threat had gone. 

Heath had secured the win with a battling performance from start to finish and just about deserved it against a side who remain in second spot with Heath moving up one place to fifth. Next week it is a first ever visit to North Dean for Blaydon, for what will be yet another battle. See you there.

Leage Results:  Here.

League Table:  Here.