HEATH EASE PASS DRIFFIELD IN YORKSHIRE CUP VICTORY

Selection;
15 Sam Fletcher 14 Elliott Knight 13 Joe Morrison 12 Ben Hall 11 Jack Bruce 10 Ezra Hinchliffe 9 Max Rowntree 1 Carter Haigh 2 Henry Hirst 3 Josh Crickmay 4 Josh Beck 5 Seif Boussaada 6 Will Baxter 7 Sam Sharp 8 Ben Stringer 16 Olly Cook 17 George Heron 18 Brook Ward 19 Joe Gallagher 20 Sam Cox

Scorers;
Sam Fletcher 2 tries   Henry Hirst 1 try    Sam Sharp 2 tries    Jack Bruce 1 try   Will Baxter 1 try
Joe Morrison 1 try                    Ezra Hinchliffe 5 cons   Olly Cook 1 con

Report
Heath turned their attentions to the Yorkshire Cup as they entertained Driffield in the only preliminary round match of the competition. The game gave an opportunity for the coaching team to have a look at some of the Hawks squad with starts for Sam Fletcher, Elliott Knight and Max Rowntree in the backs and the forwards seeing Carter Haigh, Henry Hirst, Josh Beck, Will Baxter and Sam Sharp while on the bench sat Olly Cook, Brook Ward, George Heron and Joe Gallagher. Conditions were ideal as a large crowd greeted both teams and it was game on.

Heath kicked off playing towards the Stainland Road end and had the perfect start when Driffield conceded a penalty. Heath opted for the scrum and as Ezra Hinchliffe got hold of the ball he spun it out to Jack Bruce who released Sam Fletcher to score in the corner, converted by Hinchliffe, and 7-0 in the first minute! Heath continued to look for another score and were prepared to throw the ball around but in Driffield's first inroad into the Heath 22 they scored a converted try to level the scores, 7-7, after twelve minutes.  Heath's response was immediate and from a line out Saif Boussaada soared high to collect, the drive was on and Henry Hirst drove over the try-line for a converted try, 14-7 with fifteen minutes played.

Heath were playing some good rugby with some astute kicking from Ezra Hinchliffe pulling the visitors defence apart and it came as no surprise when Sam Sharp crossed for a third converted try, 21-7, with twenty minutes played. Next up, Elliot Knight made a break before giving the ball to Hinchliffe who ran through the visitors defence and released Sam Fletcher to go over for his second try of the game, converted by Hinchliffe and 28-7 was just reward for Heath's dominance.

A break from Joe Morrison saw him held short of the try line but Hinchliffe scooped the ball up before kicking it cross-field and a favourable bounce enabled Jack Bruce to cross the line for another converted try, 35-7.

Credit must go to Driffield who continued to battle to try and get back on the scoreboard.  They were prepared to throw the ball around and were rewarded with two converted tries for a half time score 35-21.

With a few changes, Heath started the second half giving away a converted penalty in the opening minute and Driffield were clawing their way back into the match 35-24. The game was very even but Heath had a break when a dropped ball was scooped up by Will Baxter and with the visitors chasing him down he managed to cross the try-line for a score, 40-24.

The game ebbed and flowed as both teams looked to add to their tally then next Joe Morrison pounced with a mazy run, to increase the lead, 45-24.

Once again, several changes saw Heath still looking to add to their tally but it was the visitors who managed to score a converted try, 45-31 with fifteen minutes left to play. Heath responded and when Joe Gallagher and Sam Sharp exchanged passes, Sharp was on hand to score in the corner and a superb conversion out on the touchline from Olly Cook, saw a final score of 52-31.

This was a very entertaining match with two sides fully committed and prepared to throw the ball around to entertain the crowd. The win sees Heath into the first round of the competition where they travel up to Guisborough in November. Attention now turns to next week, when they resume their league programme and are on their travels again - visiting unbeaten Penrith. As always see you there!!!!!! 

The rest of the Yorkshire Cup Results can be found here.

All Pics - Bev Clough, unless stated.  More of her photos can be found at her Facebook page, here.  Hudds, Brods & Salem through with 'walk-overs'.

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