HEATH WIN PLATE FINAL TROPHY TO ROUND OFF A SUPERB SEASON

Selection (7 Subs all'd).  15 Jack Bruce 14 Elliott Knight 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 Max Rowntree 17 Phil Cadogan 18 Jonny Garrity 19 Olly Cook 20 Joe Gallagher 21 Sam Sharp 22 Carter Haigh

Scorers

Seif Boussadda 1 try Chris Moore 1 try Harvey Keighley-Payne 1 try Callum Harriott-Brown 2 tries Chris Johnson 4 cons

Report

Heath travelled down the M5 to Sixways, the home of Worcester Warriors, to take on London based Bracknell in the final of the Papa Johns Plate.

It was a glorious afternoon weather wise and a large crowd, made up of both sets of supporters, had gathered - creating a fantastic atmosphere as both teams entered the arena.

Bracknell kicked off and Heath went immediately on the attack with Tom Clough and Callum Harriott-Brown setting up a charge into the London side's defence, which stunned the rather vocal Bracknell support, but the Team managed to withstand the early onslaught, came back strong and were rewarded with a converted penalty to lead 3-0 with seven minutes played.

Heath responded, keeping ball in hand and, whilst their clearance kicks were not finding touch, they persevered and continued to try and find a gap in the Bracknell defence. This paid off when Jake Haynes was only just bundled into touch short of the try-line. Next up, a charge by Harvey Keighley-Payne, backed up by Seif Boussadda and Pete Hampshire, was defended well - but Bracknell were struggling, giving an easy line out ball to Heath in the corner. From that line, Alex McFadden ran around the corner before releasing Seif Boussadda and there was no stopping the “Tunisian Tank” as he crashed over for a try, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath led 7-3 with a quarter of the game played.

Bracknell responded but the Heath defence was superb and a huge clearance from Chris Johnson saw Callum Harriott-Brown set off in chase. The London side's defence dithered and, as Heath continued to press, it came as no surprise to see club stalwart Chris Moore emerge with the ball for a second try, following line out ball collected by Ben Stringer, 12-3 with thirty minutes played.  Bracknall players and supporters were shell shocked.

Olly Cook replaced Josh Crickmay and Heath continued to batter the Bracknell defence. A head injury to Alex McFadden saw Carter Haigh enter the play, as Heath continued to press and, when Chris Johnson slipped a ball to the marauding Harvey Keighley-Payne, he ran over several Bracknell bodies before scoring a converted try under the posts for a half time score of 19-3.

There were no team changes at the start of the second half, as Heath picked up where they left off and in the first minute Bracknell had a player carded following a high tackle on Tom Clough. McFadden returned to the field, as Heath continued to go in search of adding to their tally and, following some superb ball handling, Callum Harriott-Brown was on hand to touchdown.  Chris Johnson added the extras and Heath led 26-3 with fifty minutes played.

Josh Crickmay came back on for Chris Moore as Bracknell to their credit fought back scoring a try in the corner 26-8.

An injury to Elliott Knight saw Phil Cadogan enter the field as the game ebbed and flowed before Dom Walsh kicked a superb 50/20 to set up a chance for Heath. Bracknell managed to hold out as Heath continued to make changes with Ben Stringer and Dom Walsh replaced by Sam Sharp and Max Rowntree on sixty-five minutes.

Shortly after, a rare inroad into the Heath half saw Bracknell score a converted try, 26-15.  But Heath were quick to respond with, perhaps, the try of the game. Bracknell were pressing to add to their tally in the Heath 22 but Callum Harriott-Brown read the play well - intercepting a pass one handed and setting off on an eighty metre run outpacing the defence to touchdown under the posts. An easy conversion from Chris Johnson saw a score of 33-15.

Jonny Garrity, Joe Gallagher and Carter Haigh came on for Olly Cook, Tom Clough and Chris Johnson as Heath looked to maintain their lead, but once again Bracknell would not lie down and they scored a converted try, to narrow the gap to 33-22 and, when Jack Bruce received a yellow card, Heath were up against it.

However, the reliable boot of Ezra Hinchliffe saw him punt the ball into the Bracknell half. Harriott-Brown gave chase, urged on by the Heath supporters, but the ball was fumbled and a chance had gone.

With a couple of minutes left to play an injury to Sam Sharp saw Chris Johnson return and deep into injury time it was his reliable boot that found touch and the referee blew for full time.

A fantastic game from both sides and there were jubilant scenes from the Heath players and supporters as the trophy and mementoes were presented to the winning side.

Yet another great season had been crowned off with a trophy in the cabinet - third place in the league and another season to remember.

Many thanks to the coaching staff and players for creating so many memories throughout the season, you should be proud of your achievements as you take a well deserve rest.  

Lucky socks in the wash, ready for a summer break before we return in September to do it all again.

See you there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Photography

Bev Clough was our RFU accredited Photographer for the game and, again, captured some excellent moments.  Some accompany this Report, whilst others can be found on her FaceBook Page, here.

You are about to navigate away from the Heath RUFC website. Heath RUFC is not responsible for the content of this external site and does not monitor other web sites for accuracy.