HEATH HOLD ON AGAINST A VALIANT YORK SIDE TO SECURE TOP SPOT

Selection
15 Dan Cole 14 Elliott Knight 13 Callum Harriott-Brown 12 Ben Hall 11 Jake Haynes 10 Ezra Hinchliffe 9 Sam Cox

1Jack Pilcher 2 Alex McFadden 3 Chris Moore 4 Alex Patrick 5 Pete Hampshire 6 Ben Stringer 7 Jonny Cole 8 Tom Clough

16 Chris Johnson 17 Josh Beck 18 Olly Cook

Scorers
Alex McFadden 1 try Jonny Cole 1 try      Chris Johnson 1 con

Report
Heath travelled to bottom club York looking to secure the win at the halfway point of the season to maintain their unbeaten run but were made to fight hard to secure the points against a side looking to kick start their season. Dan Cole returned to full back while Elliott Spiers failed a late fitness test so Elliott Knight took his place on the wing. Ben Hall also started at centre with Ezra Hinchliffe moving to 10 with Chris Johnson taking a berth on the bench alongside Josh Beck and Olly Cook. Conditions were good at the start of the game which had a 3pm kick off so under lights.

Heath started playing towards the clubhouse end and put the home defence under early pressure, but York's first inroad into the Heath half resulted in a converted penalty, 3-0  with ten minutes on the clock.

Heath responded and, after a clever pass from Chris Moore, released Alex Patrick who went on a barnstorming run but he was held short of the try-line and York cleared the danger. Heath continued to try and prise open the home defence and when they collected from the line-out they drove towards the York try-line and Alex McFadden emerged with the ball for a try, the conversion glanced off the post 5-3 with eighteen minutes on the clock.

Heath continued to batter the home defence but could not add to their tally and when York finally mounted an attack they often looked likely to score.

Jack Pilcher made way for Olly Cook but he was powerless to prevent Heath being penalised at the scrum and the home side converted a penalty to lead 6-5 as the half time whistle sounded.

It had been an error strewn first half from Heath and their loyal  supporters were hoping for improvements.

Josh Beck came on for Pete Hampshire at the start of the second half but a couple of minutes in, York missed an opportunity to increase their lead with penalty.  On came Chris Johnson, replacing Ben Hall, to try and steady the ship. He began to stretch the home defence with some astute kicking and from one Ben Stringer won the line-out and, from the drive, Jonny Cole emerged with the ball to cross the try-line. Johnson added the extras and Heath led 12-6 with fifty-four minutes on the clock.

As the rain came down, Heath continued to press for another score but York were in no mood to concede. Jack Pilcher came back on for Chris Moore as Heath continued to go on the attack but it was York who responded with their own onslaught on the Heath try-line. The Heath boys dug deep to defend their line and when Ezra Hinchliffe intercepted a pass he set off on a run before kicking down the field as the York defence covered across. Ill-discipline from Tom Clough saw him receive a yellow card, putting Heath back on defence, but they managed to wind the clock down to secure the win.

This was probably Heath's worst performance so far this season but credit must go to York, who are fighting hard to stay in the league, kept coming back at Heath and could have snatched a win.

At the half-way point of the season its eleven wins from eleven games and Heath maintain top spot with Harrogate hot on their heels. Next week it’s a home game against Sandal and as always see you there!!!!!!

Photography.

Bev Clough braved the bad weather and still came up with some good shots.  Full album on her facebook page, here.

League Results, here.

League Table, here.

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