Heath RUFC Halifax

Selections;

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

Scorers;

Alex McFadden 2 tries Elliott Spiers 1 try Callum Harriott-Brown 1 try Chris Moore 1 try Josh Crickmay 1 try

Chris Johnson 3 cons Ezra Hinchliffe 1 con

Report;

Heath welcomed promoted Middlesbrough to North Dean for their first home game of the season, following the completion of renovation works on their pitch. Jack Bruce had a start at full back with Callum Harriott-Brown moving to centre for the unavailable Joe Morrison. Josh Crickmay began at prop with Jack Pilcher taking a turn on the bench, alongside Ezra Hinchliffe who returned to the squad after missing the opening two games.

Rain had been falling for most of the day as Middlesbrough kicked off playing towards the Stainland Road end. The visitors started strongly and put the home defence under early pressure but they could not find a score, with both sets of players finding the ball very slippery resulting in some dropped passes. On eight minutes a super kick from the reliable boot of Chris Johnson saw Heath mount their first inroad into the visitors half. Following a penalty kick to touch Alex Patrick secured line out ball and Alex McFadden rolled around the line to crash over for the opening try of the game 5-0 with ten minutes played.

The score seemed to ignite Heath and following the first scrum they demolished the visitor's pack to set up another opportunity for a score and when Josh Crickmay and Harvey Keighley-Payne stormed through the 'Boro defence Elliott Spiers was on hand to pick up the ball to cross the try-line for a converted try, 12-0 with fifteen minutes played.

Despite the conditions, Heath were now controlling the game with some astute kicks from Chris Johnson and with the visitors receiving a yellow card it was only a matter of time before Heath added to their score. Tom Clough secured line out ball then Sam Cox kicked for the touch line, five metres out. From the line out Heath secured ball and with Cox linking up well with Jake Haynes, Heath became encamped in the visitors 22. The breakthrough came when Josh Crickmay crashed through several attempted tackles, supported by Ben Stringer who off loaded to Chris Moore who rounded off a super move with a try, converted by Johnson, 19-0 with thirty-five minutes played.

Time for change as those on the bench came on replacing Ben Hall, Saif Boussaada and Chris Moore. They were quickly involved in the action as the visitors continued to struggle and had another player carded just before half time. However, credit to them, when in a rare visit to the Heath half Middlesbrough managed to get on the scoreboard with a penalty 19-3 as the half time whistle sounded.

The rain had increased as the players began the second half and from the re-start Tom Clough charged down an attempted clearance and Heath were back on the attack. Alex Patrick won line out ball and with Alex McFadden keeping the ball close, he snook over for his second try of the game, converted by Johnson and Heath extended their lead 26-3 with forty-three minutes played.

As conditions deteriorated even more, Heath were controlling the game but could not add to their tally.

On sixty-five minutes Chris Johnson and Alex Patrick came off with Ben Hall and Saif Boussada returning. With Middlesbrough still fighting to stay in the game their cause was not helped by another player carded as they struggled to prevent a further score. However, the inevitable happened when, from a scrum, Tom Clough peeled off to be held short of the try-line but Josh Crickmay was on hand to crash over for a try, converted by Ezra Hinchliffe, 33-3 with ten minutes left to play.

Chris Moore returned to the action as Crickmay took his seat on the bench and Heath continued the onslaught. In the final minute of the game Saif Boussaada was on hand to crash over for an unconverted try and a final score of 38-3.

Heath controlled the match for the majority of the game but credit must go to Middlesbrough who battled hard but came up short.

Three victories from three games sees Heath maintain top spot as attentions now turn to the Yorkshire Cup Preliminary round game at home to Driffield next week. Then they return to league action in October with a visit to Penrith who also have an unbeaten start to the season. See you there!!!!

League Results, here.

League Table, here.

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Photography: Battling the conditions were Andy Keighley & Dave Garforth.