HEATH COMPLETE DOUBLE OVER CLECKHEATON IN PULSATING DERBY ENCOUNTER

Selection
15 Jack Bruce 14 Jake Haynes 13 Callum Harriott-Brown 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Joe Morrison 10 Chris Johnson 9 Max Rowntree 1 Chris Moore 2 Alex McFadden  3 Olly Cook 4 Alex Patrick 5 Pete Hampshire 6 Ben Stringer 7 Sam Sharp 8 Tom Clough 16 Elliott Knight 17 Jonny Garrity 18 Josh Crickmay
Scorers
Jake Haynes 2 tries Chris Johnson 1 con 5 pens

Report
Heath made the short trip down the M62 to take on in-form Cleckheaton in a local derby which meant so much to both teams. Heath were forced into a team change due to Dom Walsh’s unavailability, so in came Max Rowntree. As expected, a large crowd had gathered for this derby hoping to witness a thrilling match and they were not to be disappointed.

Conditions were ideal as both teams entered the field and it was a case of deja-vu for the visitors when, following a mistake from a Heath kick off, Cleckheaton dropped the ball and Ezra Hinchliffe pounced, scooping it up and sending it along the line for Jake Haynes to touchdown in the corner, 5-0 in the first minute, (Scunthorpe last week!!). 

Stunned into action the home side responded immediately but Heath were in determined mood and after a huge punt from the home side, Jack Bruce called mark. From the re-start the ball came across to Callum Harriott-Brown who made a stunning fifty metre run before releasing the supporting Hinchliffe whose pass to Jake Haynes saw the winger cross the whitewash for his second try, this time converted by Chris Johnson, 12-0, with fifteen minutes played. 

Heath were playing some slick rugby but when Tom Clough retaliated, following a late tackle, Heath were down to fourteen for the next ten minutes. Despite the loss, Heath continued to control the game with Alex Patrick prominent and from a penalty Johnson added the extras, 15-0 with a quarter of the game played. 

It wasn’t until the thirtieth minute that Cleckheaton made their first real inroad into the Heath defence scoring a converted try, 15-7, and it was game on. Josh Crickmay replaced Olly Cook and with Heath back to full numbers it was the home side who mounted yet another attack and, with the visitors missing several tackles, Cleckheaton scored an unconverted try, 15-12. 

The re-start saw the ball collected by Tom Clough who set off on a charge and with several Cleckheaton players being bounced off Heath went back on the attack. A clever kick through from Ezra Hinchliffe saw Callum Harriott-Brown chase the ball down which resulted in the home side giving away another penalty and Johnson converted, 18-12, as the half time whistle sounded. 

The start of the second half saw Elliott Knight replace Joe Morrison as it opened with a bang following another barnstorming run from Tom Clough the home side had a player carded. The penalty found touch but Heath could not win line out ball and a chance had gone. Jonny Garrity came on for Sam Sharp as Cleckheaton went in search of a score and when Jack Bruce received a card, some solid defending was required from Heath. A superb steal by Ben Stringer saw the pressure eased as the ball came out to Chris Johnson who cleared the lines. With the home side back to full strength they converted a penalty to reduce the arrears, 18-15, with fifty-two minutes on the clock. 

The game was now up for grabs and a superb fifty-twenty kick from Johnson set up a chance for Heath. Pete Hampshire won line out ball and as Heath charged for the line Cleckheaton gave away another penalty, converted by Johnson, 21-15, with twenty minutes remaining. 
From the re-start, Cleckheaton looked for a score and were rewarded with yet another penalty, 21-18, as the tension mounted. 

From a line out Ben Stringer collected and drove to the line before the ball was passed along the back line. The home side struggled to cover, giving away yet another penalty, 24-18, as Heath continued to keep ahead with ten minutes remaining.

The game was tense as both sides looked to add to their score but when a Cleckheaton player was carded following a cheap shot off the ball. Chris Johnson converted the penalty, 27-18, with eight minutes left to play. 

The home side responded with yet another attack and Chris Johnson was carded for an illegal tackle, 27-21, with five minutes left to play. 
Cleckheaton went in search of that elusive converted try to snatch the win but Heath were determined not to concede and, despite losing Josh Crickmay to a card, the magnificent thirteen were up against it with minutes left to play. With the clock ticking and the visiting supporters praying for the referee to blow the whistle to end the game the home side went in search of scoring a try and when it looked as if the fragile Heath defence was about to be opened, the ball was dropped by Cleck and the game was gone - much to the relief of the huge number of away supporters.

It had been a typical derby battle with both sides fully committed but it was Heath who secured a vital win to extend their winning run and maintain fourth spot. With leaders Scunthorpe losing at Alnwick nine points separates the top four. Next week is catch up week as the season reaches a pulsating climax. Selby at home see you there!!!!!!!!! 

All today's photos courtesy Bev Clough.  More on her facebook page, here.

League results, here.

League Table, here.

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