DERBY DAY WIN FOR HEATH AS THEY CRUISE PAST CLECKHEATON

Selection:

1. O. COOK, 2. A. MCFADDEN, 3. C. MOORE, 4. F. MARSDEN, 5. P. HAMPSHIRE, 6. B. STRINGER, 7. J. COLE, 8. H. K-PAYNE 
9. S.COX, 10. C.JOHNSON, 11. J.HAYNES, 12. E.HINCHLIFFE, 13. C.HARRIOTT-BROWN, 14. J.MORRISON, 15. D.COLE
16. E.SPIERS, 17. A.PATRICK, 18. C.HAIGH 

Scorers:

Johnny Cole, try.  Dan Cole, try.  Jake Haynes, try x 2.  Harvey K-Payne, try x 2.  Chris Moore, try.  Ben Stringer, try.  Alex McFadden, try.

Chris Johnson, conv x 6.  Ezra Hinchliffe, Conv.

Scoring Timeline, here.

Report:

It was derby day at North Dean, as Heath welcomed Cleckheaton for this top versus bottom clash. Heath made several changes with Sam Cox returning at scrum half and Olly Cook and Johnny Cole starting, following injuries to Jack Pilcher and Tom Clough. However, the biggest name on the team sheet saw the return of Fergus Marsden, after eight hundred and fifty days on the sidelines, through injury.  He started in the second row, with Alex Patrick having a stint on the bench alongside Elliott Spiers and Carter Haigh.

Conditions were ideal and a large crowd had assembled as both teams entered the pitch. The visitors kicked off playing towards the Stainland Road end and in early exchanges made it clear that they were up for the challenge, but giving away early penalties and having a player yellow carded in the opening minutes. 

A penalty from Heath found touch in the corner and when Ben Stringer soared high to collect the ball the drive was on. Jonny Cole smothered the ball over the line for the opening converted try, 7-0 with eight minutes played. Heath were beginning to take control of the game and a scrum five metres out saw the forwards drive to the line and, when the ball came out, Chris Johnson threw a short pass to Dan Cole who crashed over for a try, 12-0 with fifteen minutes played. 

Cleckheaton tried hard to get on the scoreboard, but Heath were resilient in defence and, after a period of sustained pressure, Chris Johnson intercepted a pass in the Heath 22 to race clear, before releasing Jake Haynes on the half way line and the flying wingman crossed over for a try, converted by Johnson. 19-0 with twenty three minutes on the clock. 

The half hour mark saw Alex Patrick and Carter Haigh come on, replacing Pete Hampshire and Olly Cook and Patrick was quickly involved in the action, charging down an attempted clearance.  The ball bounced favourably but Jake Haynes just missed an opportunity to add to his tally. Heath continued to press and with the visitors struggling at the scums, Heath pounced when Harvey Keighley-Payne drove to the tryline, with Sam Cox in support, to release Chris Moore who crashed over for a try.  Converted by Johnson, 26-0, and the try bonus point was secured with five minutes left to half time.

From the restart, a clearance from Chris Johnson was charged down but the ball again bounced favourably for Jake Haynes, who collected and set off on a run, before releasing the supporting Harvey Keighley-Payne, who crossed the whitewash for another try; 31-0. With half-time approaching Chris Moore was carded but the half ended with Heath in a comfortable position.

Elliott Spiers came on for Joe Morrison at the start of the second half and it was the perfect start for the home side when Ben Stringer drove over for a converted try in the opening minutes 38-0. Cleckheaton could not get into the game.  With some solid defending from Heath and after soaking up pressure, the break was on. Fergus Marsden was on hand to drive forwards and up popped Alex McFadden to cross the line for a converted try, 45-0 with fifty-three minutes played. 

Heath were playing some super rugby with ball in hand and the visitors could only chase shadows.  On the hour mark, Harvey Keighley-Payne scored another converted try to extend the lead to 52-0 with twenty minutes left to play. Cleckheaton continued to try and get on the scoreboard and, despite Heath losing Chris Johnson to a yellow card, their defence continued to be excellent.

From yet another break, some superb attacking play from the home side saw Ezra Hinchliffe and Callum Harriott-Brown inter-pass before the ball came out to Jake Haynes who finished off the move with a try, converted by Hinchliffe, 59-0 with ten minutes left to play. 

With the clock winding down Heath continued to pull the visitors defence apart, but time passed and there was no further score.

This was yet another fine performance by Heath who continued their unbeaten run. It was a superb team effort with every player committed to the cause and the win sees Heath remain top of the league with six games remaining.

There is a break next week before the trip to third place Harrogate.  Cannot wait and as always see you there!!

League Results, here,

League Table, here.

Phography:

Bev Clough and Andy Keighley with us this week.  There's more of Bev's photos on her Facebook page, here.  Enjoy.

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