INJURY TIME TRY SECURES YET ANOTHER WIN FOR HEATH

Selections
15 Dan Cole 14 Elliott Spiers 13 Jack Malthouse 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Joe Morrison 10 Chris Johnson 9 Dom Walsh 1 Olly Cook 2 Alex McFadden 3 Chris Moore 4 Saif Boussaada 5 Peter Hinchliffe 6 Dan Fleming 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Ben Stringer 16 Elliot Knight 17 Callum Harriott-Brown 18 Jack Pilcher

Scorers
Jack Malthouse 1 try  Callum Harriott-Brown 1 try  Chris Johnson 1 con  1 pen

Report
Heath made the short trip down the M62 to take on local rivals Cleckheaton, looking to build on their winning run. There were a couple of changes in the forwards as Olly Cook returned for the suspended Josh Crickmay and Dan Flemming had a start with Ian Downsborough having a run out with the Hawks. On the bench sat the returning Elliott Knight and Callum Harriott-Brown, giving coaches Syd and Harry a few more options, alongside Jack Pilcher.

Following a week of torrential rain the pitch looked in good condition as Heath kicked off and they were quickly on the front foot putting the home side under pressure. The visitors were prepared to run with the ball and when Dan Fleming broke free, making solid yardage, the ball moved quickly along the line before Jack Malthouse skipped over for an opening try, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath led 7-0 with only six minutes played.

Heath continued to dominate as Cleckheaton struggled but a chance to get on the scoreboard with a penalty saw the kick go wide. An injury to Peter Hampshire, following a good run, saw Jack Pilcher enter the field and from the resulting penalty Johnson found touch. From the line out Harvey Keighley-Payne won the ball and made solid yardage as the home side struggled and as the Heath pack demolished the home side in a scrum the resulting penalty saw Chris Johnson convert for a lead of 10-0 with thirty minutes played. Credit to Cleckheaton they tried hard to get into the game and as half time arrived were thankful that Heath had not added to their score.

Pete Hampshire returned replacing Olly Cook as the second half began and after some stern words Cleckheaton began strongly, looking for an early score. Heath were put under severe pressure for the next twenty minutes but they stood firm with a heroic defensive effort. After winning yet another scum Chris Johnson put in a huge clearance and Joe Morrison set off in chase. He managed to kick the ball on but the home side covered and were thankful to find touch as Morrison pressed.

On the hour mark Callum Harriot-Brown, Elliot Knight and Olly Cook replaced Chris Moore, Joe Morrison and Ben Stringer as coach Harry looked to refresh and Clum was quickly back in action with a strong run. However, the home side kept plugging away and were rewarded with a converted try to reduce the arrears, 10-7 with ten minutes left to play.

This seemed to inspire Cleckheaton and, with Heath holding on, they were powerless to prevent a second converted try and the Home side took the lead; 14-10 with only minutes left. From the re-start Heath won the ball and pushed forwards looking for a score. Urged on by the Heath faithful, Cleckheaton were glad to get the ball into touch. Moore replaced Pilcher for the line out and a desperate home defence gave away a penalty. Step up Saif Boussaada! He grabbed hold of the ball and tapped forwards to drive into a beleaguered home defence and, from the resulting melee, up popped Harriott-Brown to get a hand on the ball for a try deep into injury time.

It was a great result for Heath who never gave up the challenge and there was relief all round from the players and supporters. The win secured four points to maintain third spot in the league and with York defeating Harrogate only five points separate the top three with both teams yet to travel to North Dean.

Next week Doncaster Phoenix visit North Dean for what should be another big challenge. See you there!!! 

League results here.

League Table here.

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