HEATH BATTLE TO SECURE VITAL WIN AGAINST HARROGATE

Selection
15 Adam Brook 14 Callum Harriot-Brown 13 Jack Malthouse 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Joe Morrison 10 Dan Cole 9 Dom Walsh 1 Jack Pilcher 2 Alex McFadden 3 Chris Moore 4 Saif Boussaada 5 Peter Hampshire 6 Dan Fleming 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Ben Stringer 16 Chris Johnson 17 Tom Clough 18 Josh Crickmay

Scorers  

Joe Morrison 1 try  Josh Crickmay 1 try  Ezra Hinchliffe 2 Pen  Chris Johnson 1 con

Report

Heath entertained second place Harrogate looking to get a win to keep in contact with the top three. Adam Brook was drafted in at full back for the injured Sam Fletcher and Jack Pilcher had a starting berth at prop with Josh Crickmay returning on the bench alongside Chris Johnson and Tom Clough.

The floodlights were on and conditions were atrocious as wind and rain battered North Dean and it was going to be a battle for both sides as Heath kicked off playing towards Stainland Road. Early pressure from Heath saw Dan Cole test the visitor's defence with some high kicks but in Harrogate's first real attack they were rewarded with a penalty and led 3-0 with seven minutes played.  The visitors continued to press and added a second penalty on twelve minutes to lead 6-0.

Conditions were dictating play as the players struggled to keep hold of the ball and string some passes together.

On twenty minutes Chris Moore received an injury and was replaced by Josh Crickmay, who was quickly into the game with a couple of tackles as Harrogate used the conditions to mount an attack with some clever inter-passing. Heath clawed their way back into the game to keep possession of the ball as Dan Fleming and Harvey Keighley-Payne tried to get the openings, linking well with Dom Walsh, but at the crucial time the ball was dropped and the chance for a score was gone. With half time approaching Harrogate were once again on the attack but Heath were determined the visitors would not cross their try-line and when Adam Brook put in a massive clearance kick the pressure was relieved. Tom Clough came on for Peter Hampshire with half time approaching and when Heath were awarded a penalty up stepped Ezra Hinchliffe who calmly slotted the ball between the post, 6-3 as the referee blew for a welcome break.

Chris Moore returned for Jack Pilcher at the start of the second half, as the players were greeted with yet another torrential downpour. Heath began well and were quickly on the attack and following charging runs from Crickmay and Boussaada, Harrogate were put under pressure. Next up, a superb kick through from Adam Brook saw Joe Morrison chase and as Harrogate players fumbled the ball he pounced to touchdown in the corner for an unconverted try and Heath led 8-6 with only two minutes played in the second half.

Next up Callum Harriott-Brown, Ezra Hinchliffe and Dan Cole linked well making solid yardage as Harrogate struggled with the conditions. Then, Hinchliffe added a penalty to increase Heath's lead to 11-6.

Chris Johnson replaced Adam Brook to keep the pressure on the visitors defence, who seemed to have imploded and, when Tom Clough charged for the line, up cropped Josh Crickmay to crash over for a try, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath extended their lead to 18-6 with only ten minutes played in the half.

Harrogate needed to get hold of the ball and they mounted their first real attack but Heath were determined not to let them score, though, when Dan Fleming received a card, a quick tap kick saw them crash over for an unconverted try and the visitors were back in the game 18-13.  Game on.

Fleming returned with fifteen minutes left to play with both sides determined to score next. Time was ticking as Heath continued to keep the visitors at bay but Harrogate could not penetrate a solid defence and the boot of Chris Johnson.  Deep into injury time, one last surge from Harrogate was once again thwarted by the home defence and, as the referee blew for full time, a huge roar came up from players and home supporters and Heath had secured the win.

The win a sees Heath maintain fourth spot in the league with York extending their lead at the top following a win away to Blaydon. Next week Heath travel over to Sandal, who sit at the foot of the table following defeat to Driffield today. Another enthralling encounter see you there!

League Results here.

League Table here.

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Poor conditions hampered today's photography, by Garf '.  However, there are some photos aside from Bev Clough Photography, with many more at Bev's Facebook site. Link.

You are about to navigate away from the Heath RUFC website. Heath RUFC is not responsible for the content of this external site and does not monitor other web sites for accuracy.