HEATH DEFENCE SECURES WIN AND GAINS REVENGE AGAINST SANDAL

Scorers
Chris Johnson 1 try  Joe Morrison 1 try  Jack Bruce 1 try  Chris Johnson 2 cons

Report
Heath entertained third place Sandal looking to avenge a heavy defeat back in September and coach Harry made changes. Pete Hampshire started, replacing the unavailable Seif Boussaada, while Jonny Cole had recovered from injury and came in at blind side. The backs saw the return of Joe Morrison, following head injury protocol, while on the bench Tom Clough sat alongside Jonny Garrity and Olly Cook. Despite the weather conditions a large crowd had gathered with the stand packed to the rafters with all hoping for a Christmas cracker of a game and they were not to be disappointed.

Heath kicked off playing towards the river end and the battle commenced. Early exchanges saw penalties for both teams but it was Heath who had an opportunity early on. Dom Walsh managed to keep a Sandal kick to touch in play and his pass to Chris Johnson saw a huge 50-20 clearance. The home side kept the pressure on and following a good run from Jack Bruce his clever kick through was chased down by Johnson who just failed to touchdown. Sandal were very relieved and from the re-start they went on the attack and from their first real attack were rewarded with a penalty conversion, 3-0 with six minutes played.

Heath were quick to respond and when Harvey Keighley-Payne soared high to collect line out ball the drive was on. Chris Moore, Alex McFadden and Jack Pilcher made valuable yardage before Chris Johnson secured ball to drive over for the opening converted try, 7-3, with fifteen minutes on the clock. The visitors hit back but Heath were in no mood to concede and following a period of sterling defensive work Heath went looking to add to their tally.

It was Sandal who were now under pressure  with Heath prepared to throw the ball around pulling the visitors defence apart and when Chris Johnson saw a gap he kicked cross field to the speedy Joe Morrison who collected the ball and crossed for a try, converted by Johnson, 14-3 with thirty minutes played. Heath continued to win the collisions and were re-enforced when Tom Clough and Olly Cook entered the field, replacing Pete Hampshire and Jack Pilcher, but there was no further score as the half time whistle sounded.

The visitors were out early at the start of the second half and from their first attack were rewarded with an unconverted try, 14-8, and it was game on. In the build up to the try Ben Stringer was injured and so Pete Hampshire returned as the game continued at a frantic pace and following  a superb 50-20 kick from Chris Johnson a chance arose for the home side. Line out ball was secured by Keighley-Payne and the ball was fed to Ezra Hinchliffe who drove into the visitors defence. Next up, Jonny Cole was on hand to make further yardage and, with Sandal struggling, the ball was fed along the line to Jack Bruce who finished in style, 19-8, with fifty minutes on the clock.

With conditions deteriorating mistakes were made from both sides but it was the visitors who were now piling on the pressure though some superb defensive work from the home side with some huge hits prevented any score. In the continued onslaught Jonny Cole received a yellow but undeterred Heath were adamant not to allow a score and when back to full strength they went back on the attack.

In the final minute a superb break from Joe Morrison saw him streak to the try-line. A bonus point try looked on the cards but Sandal managed to cover, knocking the ball out of the centre's hands and the opportunity was denied. The final whistle sounded and Heath had managed to secure the win which saw them climb up to fourth spot.

Despite atrocious conditions both sides played some exhilarating rugby but it was the Heath faithful who were given an early Christmas present with the win. Next up is a visit to leaders Scunthorpe and this will be one not to be missed.

To my reader, Merry Christmas, and see you at Scunny.

League Resuits, Here.

League Table, Here.

More photos are available on Bev Clough's Facebook page, Here.

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