Heath RUFC Halifax

Selection:

C Moore, A McFadden, C Haigh, P Hampshire, A Patrick, B Stringer, H K-Payne, T Clough.

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

O Cook, J Beck, J Cole.

Scorers

Alex McFadden, try x 2. Jake Haynes, try. Pete Hampshire, try. Harvey K-Payne. Dan Cole, try.

Chris Johnson, conv x 5; Pen x 1.

Scoring Timeline, here.

Report.

Heath travelled to Ilkley looking to get back to winning ways following their defeat to Alnwick last time out. Elliott Spiers had a start on the wing for Joe Morrison while in the pack Carter Haigh and Pete Hampshire were drafted in while Tom Clough returned from injury. On the bench Josh Beck came in alongside Jonny Cole and Olly Cook.

Conditions were ideal, with bright sunshine, as both teams entered the field and a large crowd had gathered with many Heath supporters travelling over to swell it. Ilkley kicked off with Heath playing towards the cricket ground end and they quickly made inroads into the home defence looking for an early score. A huge kick from Chris Johnson found touch in the corner and this was a first opportunity. Line out ball was secured and with the home side struggling, giving away two quick penalties which resulted in a player yellow carded, Heath took advantage as Alex McFadden powered over for the opening try, 0-5 with eight minutes on the clock.

Ilkley responded with some excellent ball handling and, with Heath struggling, McFadden received a yellow card in his efforts to prevent a score. The resulting line-out was won by the home side and they crashed over the try-line for a converted score, 7-5 with fifteen minutes played.

It was a frantic restart from both teams as Heath went back on the attack and a super run from Harvey Keighley-Payne set up an opportunity for a score. Ball was retained and, when Johnson kicked through, it bounced kindly for Jake Haynes to cross under the posts, with Johnson adding the extras Heath led 7-12 with eighteen minutes played.

Ilkley reacted quickly with a penalty conversion two minutes later, 10-12, as the game ebbed and flowed. Pete Hampshire was replaced by Jonny Cole at the next scrum to take over the hooker's role as Ilkley continued to look for an opening, but Heath were a lot more solid in defence and when they were back to full strength they went looking to add to their tally.

Some superb passing along the backs created an opportunity and from a scrum Tom Clough picked up the ball and broke for the line but was held short. Heath continued to press and with Ilkley's defence in disarray, Harvey Keighley-Payne peeled off a scrum to crash over for a third try, again converted by Johnson, 10-19, with five minutes left to half time.

Chris Moore was replaced by Olly Cook, Pete Hampshire came back on for Jonny Cole and he had an immediate impact. Quick thinking from Chris Johnson saw the ball bobble kindly for Hampshire who crossed over the line for a try, converted by Johnson, 10-26 as the half-time whistle sounded.

It had been a thoroughly entertaining forty minutes with hopefully more of the same in the second half.

Ilkley came out for the second half all guns blazing and, after putting the Heath defence under severe pressure, they were rewarded with a converted try to narrow the gap, 17-26 with forty-six minutes played. Heath needed to respond and managed to keep hold of the ball as they went back into the home side's 22. From a line out, ball was secured and McFadden went over for his second try of the game, converted by Johnson 17-33.

The crowd were captivated by the quality of the game as both sides put on a superb display of rugby and credit must go to the home side who kept battling and scored a try in the corner on the hour mark to reduce the arrears 22-33. Josh Beck came on for McFadden and Chris Moore returned for Carter Haigh as Heath went back in search of adding to their tally and, after winning line out ball, Dan Cole was on hand to score a converted try 22-40 with fifteen minutes left to play.

Back came the home side, looking for a score and they were rewarded with a try in the corner, 27-40, after the conversion hit the post and bounced clear. Ilkley continued to mount attacks and Callum Harriott-Brown saved a certain try with a last-ditch tackle. When Chris Moore received a yellow and with Tom Clough and Josh Beck coming off, Heath were hanging on.

As the minutes ticked by and with two remaining, Heath were awarded a penalty. Up stepped the maestro Chris Johnson, who settled the nerves with a conversion from the half-way line for a final score of 27-43.

It was a superb game to watch with both sides fully committed to the cause to entertain the crowd from start to finish. Heath returned to winning ways and are three points away from claiming the title with home games against York and Kendal to finish the season. Ilkley retain fourth spot and might still feature in the end of season play offs. As always see you there!!

League Results, here.

League Table, here.

Photography.

Present today were, two Andies - Groves and Keighley. Plus Garf '.

There's a full page of Andy Groves' photos here, on this website. Enjoy.