EPIC BATTLE AS HEATH DEMOLISH LEAGUE LEADERS

Selection
15 Dan Cole 14 Joe Morrison  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 Ben Stringer 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Tom Clough 16 Sam Fletcher 17 Dan Fleming 18 Jack Pilcher

Scorers
Joe Morrison 2 try   Tom Clough 1 try  Harvey Keighley-Payne 1 try  Josh Crickmay 1 try      
Chris Johnson 3 cons     Ezra Hinchliffe 1 pen

Report
Heath entertained top of the table York, looking to complete a double and close the gap on them in what is developing into an intriguing League. Chris Johnson returned to the starting line up in an otherwise unchanged team with Sam Fletcher, Dan Fleming and Jack Pilcher looking a strong bench. Conditions were ideal and a large crowd had gathered to witness what they hoped would be an enthralling clash and they were not to be disappointed.

York kicked off playing towards the Stainland Road end and quickly put the home defence under pressure but from a line out in the corner Chris Moore ripped the ball away from the York forwards and, perhaps, set the tone for the rest of the game. After ten minutes of pressure from York Heath managed to mount a first real attack, making inroads into the visitors 22. Moore was once again prominent with a surging run as Heath kept ball in hand and were patient before Joe Morrison touched down in the corner for an unconverted try, 5-0 with twelve minutes played.

Undeterred, York responded but Heath were dominant in defence and broke free once again with Joe “Maluma” Morrison smashing his way through several attempted tackles. Once again, Heath remained patient with ball in hand. Tom Clough ploughed through making valuable yardage before the supporting Saif Boussaada and Josh Crickmay inched towards the try-line with strong drives and up popped the try machine that is Joe Morrison for his second try, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath extended their lead 12-0 with fifteen minutes on the clock.

The crowd expected a battle and they were not disappointed with what had been on offer but the visitors were finding it difficult to get possession of the ball with Heath looking dominant. A handling error from York saw Jack Malthouse kick through and he gave chase before York conceded a penalty. Heath opted for the scrum and as the York pack folded Dom Walsh fed Chris Johnson, who in turn released Tom Clough and Heath crashed over for a third try, again converted by Johnson and Heath led 19-0 with thirty minutes on the clock.

Credit to York, they continued to battle to get back into the game and, following a slick move, Joe Morrison extended an arm out to try and intercept the ball and the referee had no option but to award a penalty try and show a yellow card, 19-7 with five minutes left to half time. York continued to press but Heath stood firm as the half time whistle sounded.

It was more of the same at the start of the second half as Heath pressed for another score, battering the visitors defence. From a penalty Heath opted for the scrum and a powerful drive saw Tom Clough held short of the try-line. The Heath forwards continued to drive to the line and up popped captain Harvey Keighley-Payne with the ball and Heath had secured their bonus point try, converted by Chris Johnson, 26-7 with only six minutes played in the second half.

Josh Crickmay made way for Jack Pilcher who was immediately in the thick of things. Credit again to York as they tried to make headway but some ferocious tackling from the home side saw them flounder as they were driven backwards.

Sam Fletcher came on for Chris Johnson as Ezra Hinchliffe's clever chip saw him advance into the visitors 22. The next scrum saw Heath annihilate the visitors pack and from the resultant penalty, Ezra Hinchliffe converted 29-7. The York players were looking dejected but they continued to battle.

Next up superb play from Ben Stringer and Tom Clough released Dan Cole and his delayed pass to Ezra Hinchliff was sublime, before the visitors cover broke the move. This seemed to inspire them and in their next venture into the Heath 22 they secured a try, 29-12 with fifteen minutes left.

Heath once again responded positively as Jack Malthouse had to leave the field injured with Chris Johnson returning and, after winning line-out ball, Josh Crickmay crashed over the line for a fifth try to restore their lead 34-12.

With ten minutes left, Heath continued to play some superb rugby as they looked to add to their tally against a jaded York team but the result stayed the same and when the referee blew for full time the crowd had witnessed an epic encounter.

Both teams had battled hard throughout and produced a game which many will remember for a long time as being the best they have ever seen. As our friends in the Antipodes would say AWSOME MATE. See you at Blaydon next week!!! 

More photos here.

League results here.

League Table here.

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