LOCAL DERBY SEES HEATH LOSE OUT TO A STRONG HUDDERSFIELD SIDE

Selection 
15 Chris Johnson 14 Elliott Knight 13 Joe Morrison 12 Dominic Horn 11 Callum Harriott-Brown 10 Ezra Hinchliffe 9 Dom Walsh 1 Olly Cook 2 Alex McFadden 3 Chris Moore 4 Alex Patrick 5 Pete Hampshire 6 Ben Stringer 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Jonny Garrity 16 Jake Haynes 17 Seif Boussadda 18 Josh Crickmay

Scorers
Callum Harriott-Brown 1 try Alex McFadden 1 try Ezra Hinchliffe 1 try 
Chris Johnson 3 cons 1 pen

Report
Heath made the short journey to Lockwood Park to take on Huddersfield in a first ever league meeting between the clubs. Dom Walsh returned following injury, Dominic Horn had a start  and Jonny Garrity came in, as coach Harry shuffled his team. On the bench, Jake Haynes returned from injury alongside Seif Boussadda and Josh Crickmay.

A large crowd had gathered for this local derby and conditions were perfect as the home side kicked off playing towards the viaduct end. Chris Johnson cleared the lines but Huddersfield came back, exchanging passes to cut open the visitors defence with ease, scoring an opening converted try, 7-0 with only two minutes played.  Chris Johnson received a yellow in the build up to the try and Heath were up against it.

Credit to the players as they responded with some clever rugby but, once again, some inept tackling saw the home side add to their tally with a second try, 12-0 with twelve minutes played.

Heath needed to come to terms with the pace of the game and when Johnson returned they went looking for a score. Huddersfield were now giving away penalties as the visitors remained patient and they were rewarded with a try from Callum Harriott-Brown, converted by Johnson and Heath were back in the game12-7 with eighteen minutes played.

It was developing into an open game as both sides looked for an gap but, despite the intimidating tactics from the home side, Heath remained calm as they went in search of adding to their score. Huddersfield had a player carded, not before time, and, when they lost a second shortly afterwards, Heath had a chance.

The home side were holding on to their lead but from a line-out Alex Patrick collected the ball and then from the drive Alex McFadden emerged with it to touchdown, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath led 14-12 with thirty minutes played.

Heath began to take advantage of the numerical advantage as Huddersfield continued to give away penalties and, following a super kick from Ezra Hinchliffe, Joe Morrison and Callum Harriott-Brown gave chase but the home defence covered. Yet another penalty for Heath saw Johnson increase Heath's lead 17-12 with five minutes left in the half to play. On came Seif Boussadda and Josh Crickmay replacing Pete Hampshire and Olly Cook as Heath continued to look to add to their score - becoming encamped in the Huddersfield 22, but a dropped pass was scooped up by the Huddersfield wingman and he sped off, running seventy metres, to touchdown under the posts,19-17 as the half time whistle sounded in what had been a thoroughly absorbing half.

The start of the second half saw Jake Haynes come on for Dominic Horn but before Heath could adjust Huddersfield once again came out all guns blazing scoring a try in the opening minutes to extend their lead 24-17. Huddersfield continued to keep possession of the ball as the Heath defence struggled to contain the onslaught but despite the home side missing an easy penalty chance they continued to press for a try and following some woeful tackles from Heath they went over for a converted try, 31-17, on fifty-five minutes.

Credit to Heath, they worked their way back dominating line out ball and Huddersfield were now having to hold on. Drives from Seif Boussadda and Josh Crickmay saw them held up short of the home side's try-line but Huddersfield managed to put in a huge clearance to ease the pressure. Harriott-Brown collected the ball and released Ezra Hinchliffe who once again made inroads into the home defence but Huddersfield remained solid in defence and from yet another clearance they scored a converted try to extend their lead 38-17 and the game looked dead and buried for Heath with fifteen minutes left to play.

However, Heath had other ideas as Harvey Keighley-Payne collected the ball and released Joe Morrison who made inroads into the Huddersfield defence. Yet again Huddersfield had a player carded and Heath took advantage. Heath were working hard to prise open the home defence and, following some slick inter-passing, Ezra Hinchliffe was on hand to cross the whitewash for a try, converted by Johnson, 38-24, and it was game on as Heath went in search to add to their score.

Unfortunately, time was not on their side and Huddersfield wound the clock down to hold on to the win.

The result saw Huddersfield secure maximum points to move up to fourth place and the loss for Heath saw them drop to fifth. A free week next week before Heath prepare for the visit of Driffield at the end of the month. See you there!! 

League Results, here.

League Table, here.

More Bev Clough and Andy Keighley photos here.

Bev Clough's Facebook page, for even more shots, here.

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