HEATH DEMOLISH YORK TO SET UP TWICKENHAM FINAL

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

Scorers
Josh Crickmay 1 try Jack Pilcher 1 try    Olly Cook 1 try     Joe Morrison 1 try     Ezra Hinchliffe 1 try  
Chris Johnson 4 cons 1 pen

Report
Heath entertained York in the Papa Johns Cup semi-final looking to secure a place in the final at Twickenham. Joe Morrison returned on the wing while on the bench Alex McFadden came back after recovering from a knee injury. North Dean looked splendid as a huge crowd gathered to hopefully witness yet another home victory but York arrived in confident mood.

Before the game there was a minutes applause for Heath member John Denwood who sadly lost his battle with MND during the week.

The visitors kicked off playing towards the river end and Heath were quickly on the attack and were rewarded with a penalty in the first minute, but, unfortunately, Chris Johnson's kick hit the post and bounced clear. Undeterred, Heath continued to press for a score and from a scrum Tom Clough peeled off to make valuable yardage before Johnson put in a clever kick to find touch. From the line out York missed their target and Jack Pilcher collected but was unable to keep hold of the ball with a try beckoning.

Heath continued to look for an opening score and another kick to touch set up an opportunity for the home side. Ben Stringer soared high to collect and the drive was on with Josh Crickmay at the bottom of the pile for an opening try, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath led 7-0 with ten minutes on the clock.

York responded  immediately and they reduced the arrears with a penalty two minutes later, 7-3. The game had started at a frantic pace but the Heath pack were completely dominating the scrums as both teams looked for an opening; but it was the home side who extended their lead on twenty-five minutes with a Johnson penalty conversion 10-3.

Olly Cook and Alex Patrick entered the arena replacing Chris Moore and Peter Hampshire, on the half hour mark, as York began to string together some useful moves, but Heaths defence was magnificent and their only reward was a penalty conversion to reduce the arrears 10-6. From the re-start Joe Morrison soared high to collect and Heath were back on the attack. Tom Clough once again led the charge linking up with Ezra Hinchliffe and Callum Harriott-Brown and with York struggling they had a player carded with five minutes left to play. Heath had a chance and seized the opportunity with a penalty kick which found touch five metres from the visitors' try-line. Ben Stringer won ball and the drive was on and up popped Jack Pilcher with a try, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath led 17-6 as the half time whistle sounded.

It had been an enthralling first half but some stern words from the York coaches saw an immediate reaction  at the start of the second half as they scored a converted try with only two minutes played, 17-13, and it was game on. Heath continued to dominate the scrums as both teams continued to battle for a score as the game ebbed and flowed and with the visitors back to full strength it was anyone's game.

Heath continued to put the visitors defence under pressure with Seif Boussaada, Tom Clough and Jack Pilcher going close for a score but with Yorks scrum collapsing' once again in desperation' they had a second yellow, for the same player turned to a red, and York were down to fourteen for the rest of the game. From the resulting penalty Heath opted for the scrum and Olly Cook was on hand to score a try, converted by Johnson, 24-13 with fifty-five minutes played.

Time for change as Josh Crickmay, Jack Pilcher and Harvey Keighley-Payne came off with Chris Moore, Alex McFadden and Jonny Cole coming on as Heath continued to batter the York defence. Heath were in total control of the game and from yet another scrum Dom Walsh collected the ball before passing along the line with Joe Morrison crossing for another try, 29-13 with ten minutes left to play.

Changes once more as Heath used all their bench with Tom Stansfield, Jack Malthouse and Max Rowntree coming on and they were quickly involved in the action as York, to their credit, continued to look for a consolation try. However, this was short lived when Chris Moore intercepted the ball before releasing the supporting Ezra Hinchliffe who sped over for the final score of the game, converted by Chris Johnson and a score of 36-13 was fully deserved with York a well beaten side.

At the final whistle there was a huge roar from the home crowd as they realised that they needed to plan another trip to Twickenham. The players were outstanding and euphoria greeted them in the clubhouse after the game. Of all the clubs in all the world little old Heath are back at the home of rugby so get your best togs out and look forward to next week-end when we take on Barnstaple in what should be yet another cracking game. Lucky socks on and see you there!!!!!!   

Photography

This game, as well as Garf', we had the expertise of Bev Clough, John Clough, Vic Heritage and Andy Keighley on the touchline.  A selection of their photos can be seen here.

Good News.

Bev has been 'Accredited' for the final and will be pitch-side for Heath at Twickenham.

Rugby Paper

A write up, for both semifinals, featured in the Rugby Paper.  A scan of it is in with the match-day photos.

Halifax Courier.

Report and photos. Here.  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.

Reults on England RFU Site. 

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