A GAME OF TWO HALVES FOR HEATH  WHO SECURE WIN IN TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH

Selection:

C Moore, A McFadden, O Cook, A Patrick, F Marsden, B Stringer, H K-Payne, T Clough.

S Cox, C Johnson, J Haynes, E Hinchliffe, C H-Brown, J Morrison, D Cole.

E Spiers, S Boussaada, J Pilcher.

Scorers:

Dan Cole, try.  Sam Cox, try.  Tom Clough Tries x 3.

Chris Johnson, Conv x 5; Pen x 2; Drop x1.

Scoring Timeline from RFU:

Here.

Report:

Heath travelled to North Yorkshire to take on third place Harrogate, looking to maintain their unbeaten run while the home side were looking to gain a victory to close the gap - but were up against a side they have never beaten.

After a week of rain, conditions were heavy but at least the game was on and the big crowd was swelled by a huge number of Heath supporters with both sets hoping for the win.

Bright sunshine and blue skies greeted the teams as the home side kicked off, putting Heath under pressure and then 'Gate scored the opening converted try on six minutes to lead 7-0.

Harrogate continued to press, but Heath managed to hold out and then, out of nowhere, Jake Haynes collected a loose ball in the Heath 22 and set off for the long run to the home try-line.  With Dan Cole in support, the full back collected the pass before kicking through and winning the chase for the ball to score a try, converted by Chris Johnson and the scores were level 7-7 with twelve minutes played.

Harrogate responded with some fine attacking rugby and in one raid Chris Johnson received a yellow for not releasing in the tackle. From the resulting penalty Harrogate found touch and collected the line out to crash over for a try and led 12-7 with twenty-three minutes on the clock.   Harrogate were now taking control of the game, with Heath guilty of not keeping hold of the ball and it came as no surprise to see them score a try, again unconverted,19-7 as the half hour mark approached.

Saif Boussadda and Jack Pilcher came on for Fergus Marsden and Olly Cook as Heath continued to struggle to get hold of the ball and when Johnson returned, they were back to full strength. However, Heath were still making mistakes and Harrogate once again capitalised with another unconverted bonus point try on thirty-four minutes, 22-7. These missed conversions would be crucial as the game progressed.

With half time approaching Heath needed to get back into the game and came close when Jack Pilcher and Tom Clough made valuable yardage. The ball came out along the backs to Ezra Hinchliffe who was bundled into the touch with a try beckoning. Harrogate were relieved to clear their line but Heath continued, became encamped in the home 22 and, following a superb run from Joe Morrison, the winger slipped a pass to the supporting Sam Cox who crossed over for a converted try, 22-14. Shortly after, the half time whistle sounded with Harrogate holding a slender lead which could have been so different with those three missed conversions! 

It had been a poor half for the Heath supporters to witness and as both teams entered the field for the second half they were hopeful of seeing some Heath magic and what a start they had.

Chris Johnson kicked off deep and a mistake by Harrogate saw a scrum. The ball was won and two further penalties from Harrogate enabled Heath to get control of the ball.  From another scrum Tom Clough powered over for a try, converted by Johnson, 22-21 with forty-two minutes played. Heath had all guns blazing as Harrogate could not deal with the onslaught and five minutes later Tom Clough added his second try, again converted by Johnson and Heath led 22-28.

The home defence continued to struggle and on fifty minutes they had a player carded which saw Heath take full advantage. Joe Morrison was replaced by Elliott Spiers who was quickly involved in the action. Another Harrogate mistake from a high kick from Chris Johnson resulted in a scrum and Tom Clough drove off the back of the pack to score a hat trick, converted try 22-35 with sixty-five minutes played.

The Harrogate players and supporters could not believe what was happening as they tried to claw their way back into the game and in their first visit to the Heath 22 in the second half, Heath gave away a couple of penalties which also saw Ezra Hinchliffe receive a yellow card. From the resulting penalty, Harrogate manged to score a converted try to reduce the arrears, 29-35, and it was game on with ten minutes left to play.

Olly Cook came on for Chris Moore and from the re-start the home side gave away another penalty which Johnson converted, 29-38. Harrogate battled hard, looking to score, but a superb clearance form Chris Johnson in his own 22 to the Harrogate 22 set up a chance for the visitors. Fergus Marsden replaced Saif Boussaada as Heath pressed and following drives from Alex Patrick and Jack Pilcher the ball came back to Chris Johnson, who calmly drop kicked it between the posts, 29-41 with four minutes left.

Heath were now winding down the clock and when Chris Johnson added a penalty 29-44 it looked like game over. However, Harrogate still had a sting in their tail when, from a Heath mistake from a high kick, they collected the ball to score a converted try in the final minute, 36-44. 

It had been a game of two halves, with the first half seeing Harrogate take their chances when in possession, but failing to add the extras.  The second half was all Heath, who showed why they are still undefeated, with a clinical display and securing the extras to win the game and maintain top spot.

Five games left to play and thirteen points clear at the top of the league. Next up is Driffield at home, before visits to second place Alnwick and then to third place Ilkley. As always see you there!!
   

League results:  

Here.

League Table:

Here

Photography:

Both Bev Clough and Andy Keighley were in attendence.  More of Bev's photos can be viewed on Facebook, here.

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