HEATH DEFENCE SUPERB AS THEY MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN WITH WIN AGAINST BLAYDON

Selection:

15 Callum Harriott-Brown 14 Elliott Spiers 13 Ben Hall 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Jake Haynes 10 Chris Johnson 9 Sam Cox

1 Jack Pilcher 2 Alex McFadden 3 Josh Crickmay 4 Pete Hampshire 5 Seif Boussaada 6 Ben Stringer 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Tom Clough

16 Elliott Knight 17 Alex Patrick 18 Chris Moore

Scorers:

Tom Clough 2 tries  Jake Haynes 2 tries  Alex McFadden 1 try  Harvey Keighley-Payne 1 try
Chris Johnson 4 cons

Report:

Heath entertained Blaydon, looking to continue their unbeaten run against a side who were capable of causing an upset. Injury to Joe Morrison saw the return of Elliott Spiers while in the forwards there were starts for Jack Pilcher and Pete Hampshire. Conditions were ideal and a large crowd had gathered to watch what they hoped would be a cracker of a game and they were not to be disappointed.

Blaydon kicked off playing towards the Stainland Road end, but it was the home side who started well, putting the visitors defence under pressure.  It came as no surprise to see the Heath forwards charge to the try-line and Alex McFadden come up with ball in hand to score the first try, converted by Chris Johnson, 7-0 with six minutes played.

Blaydon responded putting the Heath defence under pressure but some heroic defending prevented a score, with the home side dominating scums. Blaydon became frustrated, giving away a number of penalties as Heath mounted an attack and a delightful off-load by Tom Clough allowed Harvey Keighley-Payne to cross the try-line for a second converted try, 14-0 with a quarter of the game played.

Back came the visitors and from a quickly taken penalty they crossed the line to open their account with a converted try, 14-7 and it was game on.

Blaydon seemed to be inspired by this and Heath were put under severe pressure, but once again defence was superb. On the half hour mark Jack Pilcher and Seif Boussaada made way for Chris Moore and Alex Patrick as Heath continued to press for another score.  With the Blaydon pack struggling it was only a matter of time before this happened. Two penalties in succession from the visitors saw Heath opt for scrums and in one they surged towards the try-line and up popped Tom Clough to crash over for a try, converted by Chris Johnson, 21-7 as the half time whistle sounded.

The second half saw Heath continue to dominate play with Jake Haynes a problem for the visitors defence.  In one run, support from Ben Stringer saw him release the ball to Tom Clough who could not hold on, with a certain try beckoning. However, soon after, Heath added to their tally.  An attempted clearance kick from Blaydon was charged down by Stringer who went in chase of the ball, collected and off loaded to the supporting Tom Clough who scored his second try of the game, converted by Johnson, 28-7.

Elliott Knight came on for Ben Hall, as Heath continued to mount attacks on the visitors defence who had a player sin-binned as Heath controlled the game, playing some delightful rugby.  In one move, involving the back line, the ball came out to Jake Haynes who crossed in the corner for a try, 33-7, with a quarter of the game left to play.

Ben Hall and Seif Boussadda returned for Chris Johnson and Tom Clough and, as Heath re-organised, Blaydon took advantage scoring two quick tries in a five-minute spell to pull the score back to 33-21. Heath needed to respond.

With Ezra Hinchliffe leading from 10, the home side managed to pull the Blaydon defence apart and it came as no surprise to see Jake Haynes score in the corner, following some superb ball handling, 38-21 with ten minutes left to play.

Jack Pilcher came on for Josh Crickmay as Blaydon tried to respond, looking for a bonus point try but Heath were in no mood to concede and saw the game out to secure maximum points.

This was yet another excellent performance from Heath, against a side who never gave in. The win, along with a big win from Ilkley who hammered Penrith, sees both Clubs remain unbeaten with Ilkley top on points difference. Next week it’s a local derby as Heath make the short trip over to Cleckheaton. As always see you there!!!!!!!

League Results, here.

League Table, here.  Ilkley now Top on Points Difference.

Photography:  Good to see all three regular photographers were with us, today.  Bev Clough, Andy Keighley and Garf '  You can see more of Bev's photos, on Facebook, here.

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