EPIC BATTLE AS HEATH TAKE THE SPOILS 

Selection
15 Chris Johnson 14 Jake Haynes 13 Callum Harriott-Brown 12 Tom Clough 11 Joe Morrison 10 Joe Gallagher 9 Dom Walsh 1 Oliver Cook 2 Alex McFadden 3 Chris Moore 4 Seif Boussaada 5 Alex Patrick 6 Jonny Cole 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Jonny Garrity 16 Elliot Knight 17 Ben Stringer 18 Josh Crickmay

Scorers
Jonny Garrity 1 try  Jake Haynes 1 try   Chris Johnson 2 cons 2 pens

Report
Heath entertained York looking to build momentum against a side who are always difficult to play against. The unexpected withdrawal of Ezra Hinchliffe during the morning saw the side shuffled about as Tom Clough moved to centre and Jonny Garrity had a start at 8 with Ben Stringer called up for a spot on the bench alongside Elliot Knight and Josh Crickmay who had recovered from a long term injury.

Glorious sunshine greeted both teams as they entered the field in front of a large crowd who were expecting another battle and they were not to be disappointed.

York kicked off playing towards the Stainland Road end and when Seif Boussaada collected the ball he set off on a barnstorming run, bouncing off several York players, to set the tone of the game. A superb kick from Dom Walsh saw Joe Morrison set off in chase of the ball tackling the visitors cover behind their tryline and Heath had a chance to open their account but York held firm. With eight minutes on the clock York were awarded a penalty to take the lead 3-0 but this seemed to inspire Heath into yet another period of possession and, from a clever cross-field kick from Joe Gallagher, Jake Haynes scooped up the ball before being held up on the visitors 22. Seif Boussaada drove into the heap of players and released Chris Johnson who slipped a pass to the supporting Jonny Garrity who waltzed over the line for the opening try of the game. Johnson added the extras and Heath led 7-3 with ten minutes played.

From the re-start Heath went back on the attack and from a scum they demolished the visitors pack resulting in the referee having no option but to award a penalty and up stepped Johnson again to slot the ball between the post to extend their lead to 10-3.

It had been a fantastic opening quarter with both teams locked in a bruising battle and when York pressurised the Heath defence they took advantage of a glaring hole to run in a converted try and the scores were level 10-10.

The crowd were enthralled in the game but the tension was eased as a rabbit entered the field of play running the full length of the pitch, evading attempted tackles before scampering for cover, much to the amusement of all.

Back to the game; as it developed into a mid-field slog Olly Cook was replaced by Josh Crickmay who quickly made his presence felt with several bruising confrontations as the battle continued and shortly after an injury to Tom Clough saw Elliot Knight enter the fray but there was no further score as the half time whistle sounded.

A superb half from two fully committed sides and the crowd were hoping for more of the same in the second half.

Ben Stringer replaced Jonny Garrity for the start of the half as York came out all guns blazing. Heath were put under stern pressure and Chris Moore received a yellow but Heath stood firm with some superb defence and, from a penalty, Chris Johnson was on hand to clear the danger. The next scum saw Olly Cook return, at the expense of Elliot Knight, and as York struggled, they conceded a penalty which Johnson converted and Heath led 13-10 on the hour mark.

Moore returned to the action as York pummelled the home defence yet again but next Josh Crickmay received a card and Heath were down to fourteen again. Despite this, the fire was in the Heath bellies and when Joe Morrison's cover tackle saved a certain try, York could not find a way through. From the resulting York line out Ben Stringer stole the ball and Chris Johnson cleared the lines.

With ten minutes left to play York were encamped in the Heath 22 but a loose pass was swooped upon by Jake Haynes who set off on a run the full length of the field to the try-line, outpacing the chasing visitors defence for a touchdown, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath extended their lead 20-10 with minutes left to play.

From the restart, a huge clearance from Johnson saw Elliot Knight set off in chase and with the visitors defence struggling to collect the ball they kicked for touch. The line out was won by Stringer and the drive was on. York gave away a penalty. Heath opted for the scrum controlling the ball and following several further penalties Heath wound the clock down.  When the referee blew for full time Heath had secured a superb win.

This had been an enthralling battle with both teams fully committed, for the entire game, to put on a great spectacle for the crowd. The win sees Heath move up to sixth spot in the league as they prepare for the trip to Newcastle to take on Blaydon next week. As usual see you there!! 

All photos with this Report are courtesy Bev Clough, unless otherwise stated.  Her Facebook page is here, with a selection of 72 shots !

Vic Heritage was also at the game and there's a selection of his photos, here.

Other League Results, here.

League Table, here.

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