HEATH SECURE MAXIMUM POINTS IN ANOTHER EPIC BATTLE AGAINST ALNWICK

Selection

15 Jack Bruce 14 Sam Fletcher 13 Callum Harriott-Brown 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Jake Haynes 10 Chris Johnson 9 Dom Walsh 1 Chris Moore 2 Alex McFadden 3 Josh Crickmay 4 Seif Boussaada 5 Pete Hampshire 6 Ben Stringer 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Tom Clough 16 Elliot Knight 17 Jonny Cole 18 Jack Pilcher

Scorers

Seif Boussaada 2 tries   Jack Bruce 1 try    Ezra Hinchliffe 1 try    Sam Fletcher 1 try Callum Harriott-Brown 1 try    Alex McFadden 1 try       Chris Johnson 5 cons

Heath entertained Alnwick looking to avenge a heavy defeat when they travelled up to Northumberland back in January and for the first time they selected the same starting fifteen with the only change on the bench seeing Elliott Knight come in for Max Rowntree. As usual a good crowd had gathered hoping to be entertained and they were not to be disappointed.

Alnwick kicked off playing towards the Stainland Road end and from the off Heath showed they were up for the challenge. A strong run from Ben Stringer set up the first inroad into the visitors defence and when Josh Crickmay and Chris Moore showed some slick interplay Heath were on the front foot. Chris Johnson, with a clever kick set up a chance for Sam Fletcher as Heath continued to look for an opening but Alnwick held firm and in their first attack were rewarded with a penalty conversion to lead 3-0 after ten minutes and following further interchanges they extended their lead with a second penalty, 6-0 with fifteen minutes played much against the run of play. Heath needed to respond and when Ezra Hinchliffe made a scything run through the Alnwick defence the ball was played along the line and Seif Boussaada was on hand to cross the whitewash for a try, converted by Chris Johnson, and Heath led 7-6 with eighteen minutes played.

From the re-start Tom Clough collected ball and set off on a run before releasing the supporting Callum Harriott-Brown and when he slipped a pass to Jack Bruce the young full back showed class as he evaded several tackles to touch down and although the conversion hit the post 12-6 was just reward for the home side with a quarter of the game played. It was a very entertaining game as both sides battled to add to their tally but following big hits from Crickmay and Moore Heath had an opportunity to add to their total. A super kick from Johnson found touch five metres from the Alnwick try-line and when the ball was won the press was on. Alnwick had no option but to give away another penalty and from this a slick move saw Ezra Hinchliffe collect the ball to score a converted try, 19-6 with thirty minutes on the clock.

Credit to Alnwick they kept looking for an opening and from a break it looked a certain try was on the cards but Jack Bruce had other ideas putting in a superb tackle to prevent a certain score. Jonny Cole and Jack Pilcher replaced Josh Crickmay and Pete Hampshire and both were quickly involved in the action as the game ebbed and flowed. With Heath on the attack again a set move from line out saw Alex McFadden peel around the line before releasing Sam Fletcher who set off on a mazy run to score under the posts. Chris Johnson added the extras and a score of 26-6 was a comfortable lead as the half time whistle sounded.

The start of the second half saw Heath pick up where they left off and following good work from Jack Pilcher and Ben Stringer, Seif Boussaada was on hand to score his second try of the game, once again converted by Johnson, 33-6, with forty-five minutes played. Heath continued to play some sublime rugby and with the forwards demolishing the visitors in the scums it was only a matter of time before they added to their score and when Callum Harriott-Brown got hold of the ball he waltzed through a static visitors defence to score another try 38-6 with fifty minutes played.

Credit must go to Alnwick for continuing to battle scoring a converted try from the re-start, 38-13, but when Elliott Knight and Pete Hampshire replaced Sam Fletcher and Tom Clough Heath went looking to add to their tally. Captain Harvey Keighley-Payne led by example with some big hits as the visitors were once again put under pressure and with Heath prepared to throw the ball around, when in possession, it came as no surprise to see Alex McFadden crash over for a converted try, 45-13 with a quarter of the game left to play.

Josh Crickmay came back on for Chris Moore as Alnwick continued to look to add to their tally and they were rewarded with a converted try, 45-20. This seemed to inspire the visitors and when they added a third try deep into injury time they went looking for the bonus point try. With the rain pouring down Heath were put under more pressure but they had no response to Alnwick scoring their fourth try with the last play of the game and a final score of 45-34.

Yet again another very entertaining game at North Dean as Heath secured maximum points. With Scunthorpe and Huddersfield also winning the battle is on for who finishes third and with the visit of Ilkley in two weeks time Heath need a point to secure this. See you there!!!!!!!!!!!!!