HEATH REMAIN TOP OF THE PILE WITH BIG WIN AGAINST SECOND PLACE ILKLEY

Selection
15 Jack Bruce 14 Joe Morrison 13 Callum Harriott-Brown 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Jake Haynes 10 Chris Johnson 9 Sam Cox 1 Jack Pilcher 2 Alex McFadden 3 Chris Moore 4 Seif Boussaada 5 Alex Patrick 6 Ben Stringer 7 Jonny Cole 8 Tom Clough 16 Dan Cole 17 Pete Hampshire 18 Olly Cook

Scorers
Jake Haynes 2 tries Joe Morrison 1 try Alex McFadden 1 try Tom Clough 1 try Olly Cook 1 try Ezra Hinchliffe 1 try   Chris Johnson 5 cons

Report

It was a top of the table clash as first versus second in the league saw Heath entertain Ilkley at North Dean. Heath were forced into making several changes due to injuries and un-availabilities with Joe Morrison stepping in for Elliott Spiers and Jack Bruce starting at full back with Dan Cole having a stint on the bench.  Sam Cox returned at scrum half.  The pack saw Jack Pilcher make a start for the unlucky Josh Crickmay, who may be out for the rest of the season, while Alex Patrick started with Pete Hampshire having a stint on the bench. Finally, Tom Clough returned from injury at 8 for injured captain Harvey Keighley-Payne.

Conditions were overcast with rain imminent but a hardy bunch of supporters had gathered, with the stand once again packed to capacity, as both teams entered the field of play.

The visitors kicked off playing towards the river end and quickly put the Heath defence under pressure as they looked for an early score and were rewarded with a penalty conversion to lead 3-0 after eight minutes. Heath responded quickly when from a scrum Tom Clough picked up the ball before releasing Callum Harriott-Brown.  A great show and go saw him open up the visitor's defence and then release Joe Morrison, who crashed over for the opening try, converted by Chris Johnson and Heath led 7-3 with ten minutes on the clock.

Heath were prepared to throw the ball around, pulling the visitors defence apart and it came as no surprise when, from a line out, the ball was collected by Ben Stringer and the drive was on.  Alex McFadden emerged to score a second converted try, 14-3 with fifteen minutes played.

Heath continued to run with the ball, overcoming the visitors' defence and, following a great run from Morrison, he released Ezra Hinchliffe. However, this time, the Ilkley cover scrambled across to deny a certain try but, in doing so, they had a player yellow carded. Heath took advantage and, from a poor clearance from the visitors, Heath collected and Jonny Cole set off on a superb run before releasing Jake Haynes who went over for a third try in the corner, 19-3 with a quarter of the game played.

The visitors continued to be put under pressure but, from an interception on the half-way line, they scored a converted try, despite the efforts of Joe Morrison who received an injury and had to leave the field replaced by Dan Cole, 19-10 with fifteen minutes of the half to play.

The game became a battle as half time approached with Heath looking to add to their tally. Seif Boussaada made way for Pete Hampshire but there was no further score as the whistle sounded.

There was a downpour of rain as both teams came out for the second half and, following yet another excursion into the visitors', half Tom Clough added to the tally with a bonus point try, converted by Johnson, 26-10, with five minutes of the second half played. Credit to Ilkley - they went in search of a score as Seif Boussaada and Chris Moore returned, replacing Alex Patrick and Jack Pilcher and the battle was on.

Once again the visitors' defence was exposed with the home forwards dominating and they were rewarded with a converted try from Olly Cook, 33-10 with sixty minutes played. It was all Heath as the weather got worse, but they kept possession of the ball still opening up the visitors' defence and, from a clever kick from Sam Cox, Jake Haynes collected to score his second, in the corner; 38-10 as the game entered the final ten minutes.

Conditions were now playing a big part on the game as players from both sides were replaced.  From yet another Ilkley mistake, Ezra Hinchliffe pounced to score a try, converted by Chris Johnson, 45-10.

As the clock wound down Ilkley tried to add to their tally but when Sam Cox found touch the referee blew for full time and it was game over. 

Great credit must go to both sides for giving the crowd an entertaining game in atrocious conditions. Ten out of ten for Heath as they maintain top spot and attention now turns to next week's visit to bottom of the pile York. As always see you there!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Photography.

Bev Clough and Vic Heritage were in attendance and managed some fine shots, despite the rain and gloom.

More photos can be found here for Bev and here for Vic.

Today's League Results, here.

League Table, here.

You are about to navigate away from the Heath RUFC website. Heath RUFC is not responsible for the content of this external site and does not monitor other web sites for accuracy.