HEATH SECURE SEMI FINAL PLACE WITH WIN IN WAR THE ROSES ENCOUNTER

Selections
15 Dan Cole 14 Elliott Spiers 13 Callum Harriott-Brown 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Sam Fletcher 10 Chris Johnson 9 Dom Walsh 1 Chris Moore 2 Jack Pilcher 3 Josh Crickmay 4 Seif Boussaada 5 Peter Hampshire 6 Ben Stringer 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Tom Clough 16 Elliot Knight 17 Jonny Cole 18 Olly Cook 19 Alex Patrick 20 Tom Stansfield 21 Eddie Cartwright 22 Max Rowntree

Scorers
Jack Pilcher 2 tries Ezra Hinchliffe 1 try   Chris Johnson 4 pens 1 con Ezra Hinchliffe 1 con

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Report
Heath entertained Rossendale in the quarter finals of the Papa Johns Cup, looking to progress against a side who had finished runners up in the North-West league. Selection saw the return of captain Harvey Keighley-Payne and Tom Clough while Jack Pilcher had a start, following injury to Alex McFadden and Sam Fletcher came in for the unavailable Joe Morrison. A large crowd had gathered with the stand packed to the rafters to watch this Battle of the Roses and they were not to be disappointed following an epic encounter.

The visitors kicked off playing towards the Stainland Road end and from the start both sides were ready to battle, putting in some big hits. A superb 50-20 clearance from Dan Cole set up the first chance for Heath and when Ben Stringer soared high to collect line out ball the drive was on and up popped Jack Pilcher for the opening try, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath led 7-0 with only three minutes played.

The game continued apace as Rossendale responded and a long looping pass to wing Bradshaw saw him speed sixty metres, unopposed, to score in the corner 7-5 with only seven minutes played.

The crowd were enthralled by the battle with some massive hits from both sides.  An opportunity for the visitors to take the lead came when they were awarded a penalty but it hit the post and the ball bounced clear, a let off for Heath with fifteen minutes played. However, Rossendale continued to batter the Heath defence and they were rewarded with a try in the corner from Lothian, converted by Allen and the visitors led 12-7 with a quarter of the game played.

The match continued at pace and a clever kick from Dom Walsh set up a chance but the visitors' defence was solid and from a penalty conversion from Allen on the half hour mark the visitors extended their lead to 15-7.

Alex Patrick and Olly Cook replaced Peter Hampshire and Chris Moore and both were quickly involved as the battle continued. A serious injury to Tuia, the Rossendale 8, saw a long delay to the game and gave the teams a well deserved breather.  After the match re-started Chris Johnson converted a penalty with the final kick of the half, 15-10 to end an enthralling half.

The second half began with no let up from both sides but an early break came for Heath, after forty five minutes, when Johnson converted another penalty 15-13. Tempers began to rise as both teams continued to batter each other.  The Rossendale hooker was sin binned and, following further penalties for Heath, Johnson was on hand to convert again and Heath took the lead 16-15 just before the hour mark.

Heath were clawing their way back into the game and yet another penalty conversion from Johnson saw Heath increase their lead 19-15 with twenty minutes left to play.

Harvey Keighley-Payne had to leave the field replaced by Tom Stansfield as the game continued to ebb and flow and the visitors reduced the arears with a penalty conversion At 19-18 it was anyones game. Chris Moore returned to the action, replacing Olly Cook, with fifteen minutes remaining as the game continued to be a battle but when Heath were awarded a penalty Chris Johnson found touch in the corner for a Heath line-out. Alex Patrick collected, the drive was on and once again Jack Pilcher emerged with the ball for his second try and Heath led 24-18.

Cook returned for Josh Crickmay as the tension mounted and from the re-start Chris Johnson's clearance kick was charged down into touch. Seif Boussadda rose to collect the ball and Heath cleared their lines. Rossendale continued to go in search of a score - throwing the ball around to extend the home defence, but they could not find a way through. However, a break from the visitors saw a one on one with Dan Cole  who put in a try saving tackle to  prevent a certain score as the pressure mounted.

Jonny Cole and Harvey Keighley-Payne came on as Heath tried to shore up their defence and, following injury to Chris Moore, Josh Crickmay returned but he could not prevent the visitors scoring a try in the corner. Tension mounted as the crowd fell silent for the conversion but luck was on Heath's side and it was missed, 24-23  with five minutes left to play.

Peter Hampshire returned for Ben Stringer, with the crowd on tenterhooks willing for the final whistle to sound.  With several players out on their feet Rossendale mounted yet another attack but, from an attempted kick and chase from the visitors, Ezra Hinchliffe somehow managed to charge the kick down, collect the ball and sprint fifty metres - urged on by the home supporters, for a try which he also converted and Heath had won the game 31-23.

Credit must go to both sides for putting on one of the best games seen at North Dean. It had been a real battle with the crowd fully engrossed in the game and with the players, who had given their all, out on their feet at the end.

The win sees Heath progress to the semi final where they will take on York at home next week. Surely yet another game not to be missed so see you there!!!!!!