CONDITIONS DICTATE BUT HEATH MAINTAIN THEIR UNBEATEN START WITH VICTORY OVER PENRITH

Selection;
15 Callum Harriott-Brown 14 Elliott Knight 13 Joe Morrison 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 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 Ben Hall 17 Pete Hampshire 18 Jack Pilcher

Scorers;
Tom Clough 3 tries   Jack Pilcher 1 try  Ben Stringer 2 tries  Alex McFadden 1 try  Jake Haynes 1 try  
Chris Johnson 3 pens 5 cons

Report;
Heath made the long trek up the M6 to take on Penrith in a top of the table clash. Both teams had 100% records as Heath made one enforced change with Elliott Knight coming in for the injured Jack Bruce. Joe Morrison also started.  Ben Hall was on the bench, alongside Pete Hampshire and Jack Pilcher. It was also the 250th appearance for Club stalwart Alex McFadden.

Storm Amy was still raging as both teams entered the field and this would play a significant part in the contest throughout. Penrith kicked off playing with a strong wind to their backs and they used this to their advantage - scoring a try in the opening minute, followed by a second converted try after six minutes, to take the lead 12- 0 as Heath struggled to get to grips with the conditions.

However, Heath remained calm and managed to keep hold of the ball to claw their way back into the game and, following a number of penalties awarded against the home side, Chris Johnson converted one, 12-3 after twenty minutes.

Heath were playing possession rugby, with the forwards making big inroads into the home defence, but a break from Penrith saw the Heath defence breeched and the hosts scored a converted try, 19-3 with twenty-eight minutes played.

Jack Pilcher came on for Chris Moore and, when the home side made a mistake from the re-start, Heath had a scrum. The ball was won, Heath were on the charge and Tom Clough was on hand to score a try, converted by Chris Johnson, 19-10 on the half-hour mark. Heath were now getting used to the conditions and mounted yet another attack with Callum Harriott-Brown and Ben Stringer going close for a score but it was Jack Pilcher who stormed over the try-line for an unconverted try with five minutes left to half time, 19-15.

Heath were now playing some super rugby, off-loading in the tackle as Penrith struggled to stem the charge and it came as no surprise when Tom Clough finished off a flowing move to touchdown in the corner and a half time score of 20-19 was just reward for the visitors.

A mistake from Penrith from kick off at the start of the second half enabled Heath to take the initiative and, following a mazy run from Ezra Hinchliffe, Chris Johnson was in support before releasing Ben Stringer who stormed over for a converted try to extend their lead, 27-19, with only two minutes played.

Penrith were struggling with the conditions and, following two penalties, from the line out Ben Stringer collected the ball and the drive to the try-line was on.  Alex McFadden was on hand to touchdown for another converted try, 34-19. Pete Hampshire replaced Alex Patrick as Heath continued to blitz the home defence.  The rare attacks from Penrith were let down by poor passing and dropped ball. Heath continued to look to add to their tally and a superb kick from Sam Cox found touch. From the line out Penrith infringed and Chris Johnson slotted a great conversion, 37-19 on the hour mark.

Another mistake from Penrith at the re-start saw another penalty.  This time on the half way line.  Up stepped Johnson again, using the conditions for a superb conversion. 40-19.

Credit to the home side as conditions deteriorated and rain came down they scored a try 40-24 but Heath were not to be denied and when Harvey Keighley-Payne and Seif Boussaada charged through the home defence, with Penrith players unable to stop them, Ben Stringer was on hand to score his second try, converted by Johnson, 47-24.

Heath continued to batter the home defence as Jake Haynes went on a mazy run, evading several tackles.  The supporting Jack Pilcher scooped the ball up to make a charge but just failed to cross the try-line. Penrith players looked battered and bruised with a couple having to leave the field and when Tom Clough powered his way over the try-line, Chris Johnson added the extras for a score of 54-24.

A mistake from the re-start enabled Penrith to score a try but Heath still had something left in the tank and, following some great handling, Jake Haynes was on hand to score a try in the corner, 59-29.

With full time approaching Penrith managed to score a converted try, 59-36, but the game was lost and Heath had maintained their unbeaten start to the season to remain top of the league.

Both teams should be congratulated on putting in a huge effort to entertain a large crowd in atrocious conditions. Heath continued their winning run and now turn their attentions to entertaining another unbeaten side, Blaydon, at North Dean next Saturday. As always see you there!!!!!!!!!!!

League Results here.

League Table here.

Photography.  No Bev Clough or Andy Keighley, this week.  All photos by Garf '.  Bev was on duty at Twickenham.  Here a link to her Album of shots from the Argentina South Africa game, here. 

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