EIGHT TRY CUP BONANZA SEES HEATH THROUGH TO NEXT ROUND

Selection
15 Jack Bruce 14 Elliott Knight 13 Callum Harriott-Brown 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Jake Haynes 10 Chris Johnson 9 Dom Walsh 1 Olly Cook 2 Alex McFadden 3 Josh Crickmay 4 Seif Boussaada 5 Pete Hampshire 6 Ben Stringer 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Tom Clough 16 Max Rowntree 17 Jonny Garrity 18 Joe Gallagher 19 Carter Haigh 20 Sam Sharp 21 Alex Patrick 22 George Heron

Scorers
Jake Haynes 4 tries     Ben Stringer 2 tries    Tom Clough 1 try    Harvey Keighley-Payne 1 try  
Chris Johnson 6 cons    Joe Gallagher 1 con

Report
Heath made the trip over the Pennines to take on Stockport in the first round of the Papa Johns Plate competition and made several changes to the team as well as taking advantage of the replacement bench. Returning to the starting lineup were Elliott Knight, Dom Walsh, Josh Crickmay and Harvey Keighley-Payne while on the bench Joe Gallagher, Carter Haigh, Sam Sharp and George Heron were drafted in from the Hawks.

A large crowd had gathered for the game with the usual hard core supporters from Heath mingled in amongst. Stockport kicked off and had an immediate impact scoring a converted try in the opening minutes following several missed tackles from Heath, 7-0.

The visitors managed to regroup and, after Jake Haynes and Jack Bruce went close, several missed passes from both sides saw Ezra Hinchliffe scoop a loose ball up releasing the supporting Tom Clough who evaded several tackles before scoring in the corner. Chris Johnson converted a difficult chance and the scores were level, 7-7 with seven minutes played.

The game was end to end as both teams tested each other out but when Callum Harriott-Brown scooped a loose ball up he ran fifty metres before being tackled.  Heath players were in support and Ben Stringer was on hand to get the try, again converted by Johnson and Heath led 14-7 with fifteen minutes played.

A mistake from the restart saw the first scum of the game and a barnstorming run from Harvey Keighley-Payne saw him held up - but the ball was spun across the Heath back line and, with some fabulous handling and off loads, Jake Haynes collected the final pass to score a converted try, 21-7. Heath were now playing with confidence and were prepared to throw the ball around.  Following a good run from Elliott Knight he was tackled short of the line but Seif Boussadda was on hand to collect the ball before releasing the supporting Ben Stringer who went over for his second try of the game, converted by Chris Johnson, 28-7, with twenty-five minutes on the clock.

Stockport were struggling with the pace of the game, making mistakes at crucial times and with Jake Haynes' speed causing massive problems for the home defence, Keighley-Payne went on another barnstorming run. Chris Johnson in support cross kicked and found Haynes, who scored a try in the corner, once again converted by the reliable boot of Johnson; 35-7 with thirty minutes played and Heath looked out of sight. Josh Crickmay and Pete Hampshire made way for George Heron and Sam Sharp as Stockport tried to respond and after several near misses they scored a try in the corner for a half-time score of 35-12.

Jonny Garrity replaced Jack Bruce with Callum Harriott-Brown moving to full back as Heath picked up where they left off but once again credit to the home side they came out all guns blazing but could not break down the visitors defence. On forty-five minutes Heath made their first real attack of the half as Seif Boussaada went on a strong run and once again the support was superb before Harvey Keighley-Payne rounded off a drive with a try, converted by Johnson, 42-12.

Coach Harry made several changes with Max Rowntree, Carter Haigh and Josh Crickmay replacing Dom Walsh, Olly Cook and George Heron but they were powerless to prevent the home side from scoring a converted try, 42-19. Heath responded with some strong runs from their forwards as Stockport struggled to control the onslaught and when the ball came across the line Jake Haynes was on hand to round off the move diving over in the corner; 47-19, with sixty minutes on the clock. Pete Hampshire replaced Ben Stringer as Stockport went in search of adding to their tally and as Chris Johnson was replaced by Joe Gallagher Heath were put under pressure but survived as they cleared their lines.

With the game in their pocket, Heath once again made a change - with Tom Clough going off, replaced by Jack Bruce. The game was winding down before the visitors put in one final challenge; moving the ball from one side of the field to the other and back again with superb handling pulling the home defence apart. Jake Haynes was on hand to score his fourth try of the game, converted by Joe Gallagher; 54-19 with ten minutes left to play. However, from the restart, Stockport gained control of the ball and kept possession before crossing for a converted try, 54-26. Both teams continued to try and add to their score but time ran out and it was Heath who secured the win.

It had been a thoroughly entertaining cup game with both teams prepared to play open rugby. On my arrival at the ground many of the Stockport players and supporters were asking “HEATH WHO” but the way the visitors played and won the game the answer was “NOW YOU KNOW!!! We now move on to the next round with a HOME encounter v Newport (Salop).

As always see you there!!!!!

Results for all games in the 1st Round of the Plate here.  See the background for the draw here.  Seems we're HOME v Newport on the 26th.  Comp't fixtures for the next Round here.

There are more of Bev Clough's photographs on her Facebook page, here.

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