HEATH HOLD OUT TO SECURE MAXIMUM POINTS AT SELBY 

Selection
15 Chris Johnson 14 Jake Haynes 13 Callum Harriott-Brown 12 Charlie Metcalf 11 Joe Morrison 10 Joe Gallagher 9 Dom Walsh 1 Olly Cook 2 Jack Pilcher 3 Chris Moore 4 Alex Patrick 5 Pete Hampshire 6 Ben Stringer 7 Jonny Cole 8 Jonny Garrity 16 Elliot Knight 17 Seif Boussaada 18 Carter Haigh

Scorers 
Jack Pilcher 1 try  Jake Haynes 1 try  Jonny Garrity 1 try  Jonny Cole 1 try
Chris Johnson 3 cons 1 pen

Report
Heath travelled over to Selby looking to get back to winning ways against a side who, following promotion, were adjusting to life in R1NE. Once again Heath had to make changes to the side with new signing Charlie Metcalf making his debut at centre for the unavailable Ezra Hinchliffe and Jake Haynes returning from injury to take his place on the wing. Jack Pilcher had a start at hooker, following a head injury assessment to Alex McFadden and Jonny Garrity came in to replace captain Harvey Keighley-Payne, out with a shoulder injury. On the bench Elliot Knight sat alongside Seif Boussaada and Carter Haigh.

Selby kicked off with Heath playing against the wind and bright sunshine and it was a first touch for Jonny Garrity who collected a deep kick before clearing the lines. The home side were full of enthusiasm in the opening minutes but Heath held their nerve and, when in possession, began to find holes in the home defence. Garrity was prominent again in the lineout as Selby struggled to contain Heath, giving away a number of penalties and it came as no surprise to see the visitors open their account. Ben Stringer collected line out ball and from the drive Jack Pilcher was on hand to touchdown for the opening try, converted by Chris Johnson, and Heath led 7-0 with fourteen minutes played.

However, the lead was short lived as from the re-start Selby scored a similar try with a catch and drive to level the scores 7-7 with sixteen minutes played.  This seemed to give some inspiration to the home side and they added to their tally with a converted try, 14-7, following some woeful defence from the visitors.

Heath needed to respond and on the half hour mark a clever chip kick from Johnson was collected by Jake Haynes and the wingman touched down in the corner to reduce the arrears 12-14.

The game was a real battle and following an altercation on the half way line Metcalf received a yellow and Heath were down to fourteen players. Selby began to turn the screw but could not break down the visitors defence.

On came Carter Haigh and Seidf Boussaada, replacing Olly Cook and Pete Hampshire, as the clock wound down to half time there was no further score. 

Conditions changed as the sunny conditions were replaced by rain as the teams entered the field and, following early pressure from Heath, Chris Johnson converted a penalty, 15-14. Heath had upped a gear and were running the home side ragged and once back to full strength began to stretch the home defence.

A superb break from Dom Walsh saw him slip a pass to the supporting Johnson who released Ben Stringer but he was held short of the try-line. However, momentum was there and as Heath re-grouped they played the ball along the line for Jonny Garrity to score a converted try, 22-14 with fifty-five minutes played.

The home side responded, but Heath were solid in defence and looked to add to their score as Jake Haynes made way for Elliot Knight on the hour mark. It was a real battle with tempers high and, following an altercation, Selby had a man carded but the home side responded with a converted try, 21-22, and with ten minutes left to play it was anyone's game.

From the re-start, Callum Harriott-Brown jumped high to collect the ball and a clever kick saw Joe Morrison chase it.  Collected by a Selby defender who then was dumped into touch. Ben Stringer won line out ball and the Heath forwards drove to the try-line with Jonny Cole emerging with the ball for a converted try, 21-29 with eight minutes left to play.

Conditions deteriorated as Selby went in search of a bonus point but Heath were in no mood to concede and wound the clock down to secure maximum points.

A hard earned win for Heath saw them move up the table as they prepare for the visit of York next week. See you there!

League reults, here.

League Table, here.

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