DERBY DAY DEMOLITION AS HEATH RUN RIOT SCORING ELEVEN TRIES AGAINST LUCKLESS CLECKHEATON

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

Scorers
Sam Cox 2 tries   Alex McFadden 1 try   Callum Harriott-Brown 3 tries   Josh Crickmay 2 tries 
Jake Haynes 2 tries  Elliott Knight 1 try
Chris Johnson 6 cons    Ezra Hinchliffe 3 cons

Report:

A few changes to the team due to injuries and un-availabilities for this eagerly awaited derby game against Cleckheaton. Pete Hampshire had a start while Jonny Cole was drafted in at openside with Harvey Keighley-Payne moving to 8 for for the injured Tom Clough. Jack Bruce returned at full back with Callum Harriott-Brown moving to centre while on the bench sat Olly Cook, fresh from internet stardom, alongside Jake Haynes and Seif Boussaada.

It was a cold but clear afternoon ideal for rugby and with my lucky socks on and a large crowd gathered we were hoping for a humdinger of a derby! And we were not to be disappointed.

Heath kicked off with Cleckheaton playing towards the M62 end and after early exchanges a quickly taken penalty tap saw Sam Cox waltz over the line for the first try of the game, converted by Chris Johnson, 7-0 after two minutes for the perfect start. Heath were prepared to throw the ball around and, with Harvey Keighley-Payne and Ben Stringer powering through some desperate defending, it came as no surprise to see Alex McFadden touchdown - converted by Chris Johnson 14-0 with twelve minutes played.

Cleckheaton went back on the attack and were rewarded with a penalty on fifteen minutes, 14-3, but Heath were in no mood to let them get anymore ball and from a lineout Alex Patrick soared to collect and the drive was on. Cleckheaton held the surge but the ball came out along the line and Callum Harriott-Brown was on hand to finish in the corner, 19-3 with twenty minutes on the clock. Back came Cleckheaton, but the Heath defence was superb and when Harvey Keighley-Payne robbed the ball on the Heath try-line he set off on a charge out of the 22 before exchanging passes with the supporting Ezra Hinchliffe and then releasing the ball on the hallway line to Sam Cox who ran in for a try, converted by Chris Johnson, 26-3 with twenty-five minutes played.

Heath were well in control but when Harvey Keighley-Payne received a yellow Cleckheaton took advantage. Seif Boussaada and Olly Cook came on for Pete Hampshire and Chris Moore but they were powerless to stop a surge by Cleckheaton as they scored two converted tries 26-17. Callum Harriott-Brown received a yellow but, as the half time whistle sounded Keighley-Payne had returned and Heath were still leading.

The start of the second half saw Jake Haynes replace Elliott Knight and it was Heath who once again pressed for a score. After being awarded a penalty a clever move saw Josh Crickmay waltz in for a converted try and, with Heath back to full strength, Jake Haynes and Sam Cox linked well before releasing the supporting Callum Harriott-Brown for another converted try and a score of 40-17 with fifty-two minutes played.

Heath were flying, playing some superb rugby and, in another attack, quality handling along the backs saw Jake Haynes round off a fine move to score in the corner, converted by Chris Johnson 47-17 as the hour mark approached.

A rare inroad into the Heath 22 saw Cleckheaton add to their tally, 47-22 but Heath were in determined mood as Elliott Knight came on for Chris Johnson. They were now in full control of the game as Josh Crickmay threw an outrageous dummy to cross the try-line, converted by Ezra Hinchliffe, 54-22 before being replaced by Chris Moore.

Pete Hampshire also returned for Alex Patrick as Heath went in search of adding to their tally. Jake Haynes was on hand to score a try in the corner, 59-22 as the clocked ticked down. Cleckheaton were dead and buried, having two players carded in the final minutes and resorting to some overly robust tactics.  They were powerless to prevent two further tries from Callum Harriott-Brown and Elliott Knight, both converted by Ezra Hinchliffe, for a final score of 73-22. 

Six from six sees Heath top the league and after Ilkley were soundly beaten by Blaydon, they remain the only club with an unbeaten start.

Next up, third place Harrogate visit North Dean for what should be a cracker of a game. As always see you there!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Photos:  All Bev Clough's unless labelled otherwise.  There's more of her photos on Facebook, here.

League Results, here.  Note Ilkley lost away v Blaydon.

League Table, here.