HEATH RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AT DONCASTER PHOENIX AS THE LEAGUE IS THROWN WIDE OPEN

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

Scorers
Olly Cook 1 try    Harvey Keighley-Payne 1 try    Elliott Spiers 1 try   Joe Morrison 2 try  
 Ezra Hinchliffe 2 cons

Report
Heath travelled down to South Yorkshire to take on lowly Doncaster Phoenix, looking to get back to winning ways following two defeats in recent weeks. Coach Harry made several changes to the side with Olly Cook starting at prop for concussed Chris Moore, Jonny Cole came in for the injured Ben Stringer, Captain Harvey Keighley-Payne returned with Elliot Knight sat on the bench and Dan Cole started with Chris Johnson on the bench alongside Jack Pilcher.

Doncaster Knights was the venue with the game played on an artificial surface and conditions can only be described as WET. The home side kicked off and Joe Morrison was on hand to collect and sprint back into the home side's half. Phoenix gave away a penalty and Ezra Hinchliffe found touch. From the resulting line-out Jonny Cole collected and Heath drove towards to try-line where Olly Cook barged his way over for the opening try, converted by Hinchliffe 7-0 and the perfect start with only two minutes played.

From the re-start a Heath mistake saw Phoenix look for a quick reply but Heath were in no mood to concede and when Harvey Keighley-Payne powered through several attempted tackles Heath were back on the attack. From a scrum, Tom Clough picked up the ball and drove to the try-line but was held short before Harvey Keighley-Payne picked it up and crossed for an unconverted try, 12-0 with ten minutes played.

Credit to Phoenix as they battled to get back into the game and were rewarded with a converted try two minutes later 12-7, in what was a frantic start.  

Heath reacted with another onslaught into the home defence and, when Phoenix had an attempted clearance kick charged down, Joe Morrison was on hand to collect the ball on the half-way line to run twenty metres before releasing the supporting Elliott Spiers who crossed for a try, converted by Ezra Hinchliffe and Heath led 19-7 with only fifteen minutes on the clock.

From the re-start Ezra Hinchliffe was given the ball and he scythed through the home defence before releasing a long loping pass to Joe Morrison and the winger skated over the try-line for the bonus point try, 24-7 with only seventeen minutes played.

The crowd had been richly entertained, with the rain continuing to pour, as Phoenix tried to get back into the game but Heath were in determined mood and with the visitors forwards on top defensively, despite the onslaught, half time arrived with no further score.

 
Jack Pilcher and Elliot Knight replaced Josh Crickmay and Peter Hampshire at the start of the second half, which began in bright sunshine. Phoenix came out looking to get back into the game but it was the visitors who started strongest. However, from a clever crossfield kick Phoenix wingman collected the ball and sprinted over for a try in the corned to reduce the arrears, 24-12 with fifty-five minutes on the clock. Chris Johnson came on for Jake Haynes and he had an immediate effect on the game with a couple of long clearances before a clever pass to Joe Morrison saw the flying wingman cross for an unconverted try 29-12 on the hour mark.

At this point of the game there was an almighty deluge of rain but, with the crowd cowering under umbrellas, Heath continued to battle for the ball and were running the game down. The prop Jack Pilcher blasted into the home defence and Heath, despite the conditions, were powering their way to victory.

Bright sunshine replaced the rain as Heath continued to repress any moves from the home side.

Josh Crickmay returned for Olly Cook with Heath looking to sew up the game with a final score. A great run from Saif Boussaada set up an opportunity for Heath to add to their score but some grim defensive work from Phoenix kept Heath out and, as the game petered out, Heath had claimed the Phoenix scalp, completing the double and maximum points.

 
With other results seeing York, Harrogate and Driffield all defeated Heath move up to second spot in the league, level on points with York while Driffield sit three points behind and Harrogate six points (but with two games in hand).

Next week, it’s a break for Heath before they return to action with a home game against Driffield. See you there!!!!!!   

League Results.  Here.

League Table.  Here.