HEATH BULLDOZE PERCY PARK INTO SUBMISSION AS THEY SECURE MAXIMUM POINTS

Selections
15 Eddie Cartwright 14 Sam Fletcher 13 Callum Harriott-Brown 12 Tom Owen 11 Jake Haynes 10 Chris Johnson 9 Dom Walsh 1 Olly Cook 2 Alex McFadden 3 Chris Moore 4 Peter Hampshire 5 Alex Patrick 6 Jonny Cole 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Jonny Garrity 16 Elliott Knight 17 Jack Pilcher 18 Seif Boussaada

Scorers
Alex McFadden 1 try   Jonny Garity 1 try  Tom Owen 1 try  Chris Johnson 1 try
Chris Johnson 4 cons 3 pens

Report
Heath entertained Percy Park, who were paying their first visit to North Dean, looking to bounce back after suffering defeat away to Ilkley last time out.  But they had to make several changes to the squad following injuries. Eddie Cartwright and Tom Owen made a welcome return, replacing Dan Cole and Ezra Hinchliffe, while Sam Fletcher was preferred on the wing as Elliott Knight took a stint on the bench. The forwards saw starts for Jonny Cole and Jonny Garrity replacing Ben Stringer and Tom Clough.

As the teams emerged there was confusion for the crowd as Percy Park entered the field wearing Heath shirts after their kit man had forgotten to pack the Percy Park kit, but the visitors kicked off playing towards the Stainland Road end and the opening minutes saw both teams go in search of an opening try. Sam Fletcher went close for the home side as Heath began to take control in the forwards and from one scrum and drive Alex McFadden emerged with the ball for the opening try, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath led 7-0  with six minutes on the clock.

This seemed to inspire the home side and from the re-start Jonny Garrity went on a superb run before being held short of the line. The visitors, to their credit, tried hard to get into the game but Heath were in determined mood and when Johnson collected the ball on the half way line he went on a surging run before releasing Garrity to score his debut try. Johnson added the extras, 14-0 with fifteen minutes played.

Percy Park once again responded and were rewarded with a penalty conversion, 14-3, but they were powerless to prevent Heath adding to their tally with the home pack in total control. Yet another surge from a scrum saw Peter Hampshire and Alex Patrick make valuable yardage before the ball was spun out along the backs for Tom Owen to finish with a try, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath extended their lead to 24-3 as the half hour mark approached.

Chris Moore made way for Jack Pilcher but he was powerless to prevent Percy Park from scoring a try as Heath dropped the ball on the half way line which allowed the visitors to reduce the arrears with an unconverted try 24-8. Seif Boussaada replaced Alex Patrick and he had an immediate impact linking up with Jack Pilcher putting in some massive hits before the visitors conceded a penalty and the reliable boot of Chris Johnson added the points 27-8. Elliott Knight came on for Sam Fletcher as half time approached but following mistakes again from Heath, the visitors were rewarded with a try, 27-13. Shortly after the referee blew for half time.

Heath were out early at the start of the second half but had to wait for the visitors to emerge and this seemed to assist Percy Park who should have added to their score but missed a try opportunity with fifty minutes played. Alex Patrick and Chris Moore came on for Peter Hampshire and Jack Pilcher as the game developed into a frenzy but the boot of Johnson found touch deep into the visitors half to set up an opportunity for the home side. From the resulting line out Harvey Keighley-Payne collected ball and the charge was on.  With Moore and Boussaada prominent the ball squirmed out to Chris Johnson who went over for a converted try, 34-13 with a quarter of the game left to play.

Heath were now in full control of the game as the visitors struggled to contain the home side. They received two yellow cards in their desperate attempts to keep Heath at bay but the only reward for Heath was a penalty from Johnson on seventy minutes. The game became scrappy as the clock wound down but Percy Park had one last effort as they broke free but a superb cover tackle from Eddie Cartwright prevented a certain try. Shortly after, the referee sounded the final whistle and Heath had secured the win.

Heath fully deserved maximum points from the game and the win sees them sitting in fifth spot with Scunthorpe the only team to have maximum points from two games at the top. This shows  already that the league is going to be a long slog with teams capable of beating anyone on the day.

Next up is a trip to Sandal before Scunthorpe visit North Dean at the end of the month. See you there!!!!!!!!!!
 

Heath had more Photographers at the game than they had subs !  In addition to Garf ', Bev Clough, Andy Keighley and newcomer Nick Meir were there.  Check out their gallery of shots - here.  Additionally, Bev Clough's Facebook page has more - 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