Heath RUFC Halifax

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

Scorers
Joe Morrison 2 try Callum Harriott-Brown 2 try Chris Johnson 1 try
Ezra Hinchliffe 1 con Chris Johnson 1 pen 2 cons

Report
Heath made a few changes to the squad as they travelled over to take on bottom club Sandal in their final league game of 2023. Tom Clough replaced the unavailable Dan Fleming, Olly Cook returned to the pack replacing Peter Hampshire who had a stint on the bench and Josh Crickmay started with Chris Moore also on the bench.

Conditions were ideal with bright sunshine greeting the players as Heath kicked off playing towards the Castle end. Early exchanges saw both sides testing each other out and an opportunity came after eight minutes when Heath were awarded a penalty but Ezra Hinchliffes kick was just wide. Heath continued to press and, following a charging run from Harvey Keighley-Payne, Joe Morrison was on hand to scoop the ball up to score in the corner for an unconverted try, 5-0 with ten minutes played.

Sandal responded with some good rugby and were rewarded with a penalty conversion after fifteen minutes 5-3. The home side were now playing well with Heath having to put in some serious tackling to prevent any further score. The game was littered with mistakes from both sides and on the half-hour mark Chris Moore and Peter Hampshire replaced Jack Pilcher and Saif Boussaada. The home side continued to be encamped in the Heath 22 but could not prise open a resolute defence and when Callum Harriott-Brown scooped up a loose pass he set off on a run the full length of the field evading several attempted tackles before scoring a try, converted by Hinchliffe and Heath led 12-3 as half time approached.

Sandal responded with a charge to the Heath try-line and Adam Brook saved a certain score with a super tackle but with the home side pressing Tom Clough received a card for what the Heath supporters saw as a somewhat innocuous challenge and Sandal reduced the arrears 12-6 with a penalty as the half time whistle sounded.

It had been a scrappy half from both teams but Heath had taken their opportunities when they arose.

Chris Johnson came on for an injured Harvey Keighley-Payne at the start of the second half and he was quickly involved in the game. Following a super kick through from Dom Walsh Sandal gave away a penalty and Johnson slotted the ball between the posts, 15-6 and with Heath in control Johnson intercepted a pass and ran thirty metres to cross the line for a try and conversion 22-6 with only ten minutes played. Pilcher and Boussaada returned to the action as Cook and McFadden took a well earned break.

Sandal continued to look for a score but Heath's defence was excellent and' when in possession of the ball' they were too quick for the home team. Yet another Heath onslaught saw Jack Pilcher charge for the line before Callum Harriott-Brown pounced in the corner for his second try of the game, 27-6, with fifteen minutes left to play. Credit to Sandal they continued to look for a score but could not break down a resolute Heath defence.

In the final minute Sandal were awarded a penalty on the Heath try-line but some verbals from the home side saw the referee reverse the decision and Heath pounced yet again. A quickly taken kick saw Dan Cole make thirty metres before releasing the ball to the supporting Joe Morrison who sprinted down the touchline before swallow diving over the line for a try, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath had clinched the game 34-6.

Not the best of games to watch for both sets of supporters with both teams making numerous mistakes when in possession of the ball, but Heath's smash and grab tactics paid off as they ran in fives tries to round off the year. The win sees Heath secure a top four spot in the league so ensuring a place in the Papa Johns Cup competition to be held in April. Heath now have a three week break before entertaining Scunthorpe on January 6th and it will be a chance for some of the players to recover from knocks and injuries.

Merry Christmas to my reader and see you on the 6th.

League Results: Here.

League Table: Here.