HEATH SECURE VITAL WIN AGAINST YORK TO CLAIM LEAGUE TITLE AND PROMOTION TO NATIONAL LEAGUE .

Selection:

1. C.HAIGH,  2. A.MCFADDEN,  3. C.MOORE (350th Appearance),  4. A.PATRICK,  5. P.HAMPSHIRE,  6. B.STRINGER,  

7. H.KEIGHLEY-PAYNE,  8. T.CLOUGH

9. S.COX,  10. C.JOHNSON,  11. J.BRUCE,  12. E.HINCHLIFFE,  13. C.HARRIOTT-BROWN,  14. E.SPIERS,  15. D.COLE

16. J.PILCHER,  17.J.COLE,  18.S.BOUSSADDA

Scorers:

T Clough, try.  S Boussaada, try.  H K-Payne, try 1.

C Johnson, Convs x 3;  Pens x 2;  Drop x 1., 

Note, RFU web Time Line, here.

Match Report
Heath entertained York, looking for a win which would secure the Region 1 North East Championship.

It was a glorious afternoon for rugby and a larger than usual crowd had assembled for what was hopefully going to be epic for the club. However, York had other ideas as they were looking to gain points, to keep clear of the relegation places. Jake Haynes was a late withdrawal so Jack Bruce came in on the wing and there were returns for Jack Pilcher and Seif Boussaada on the bench. The match also marked Chris Moore's 350th game for the Club, while running the line Sarah Crickmay made her debut for the unfit Rick Painter!

York kicked off, playing towards the river end and early exchanges saw them come out all guns blazing - putting the home defence under pressure. But a break from Dan Cole eased this and he linked up with the supporting Elliott Spiers who made inroads into the York half as the visitors gave away a penalty to stop play. Chris Johnson found touch and, after yet another penalty,  Heath secured line out ball, drove to the try-line and Tom Clough emerged with the ball for a first try, converted by Johnson, 7-0 to Heath after six minutes.

However, the lead was short lived as York responded immediately; breaking a rather static Heath defence to score under the posts, 7-7 with nine minutes on the clock. This seemed to phase the home side and a couple of minutes later, York took the lead with a penalty, 7 - 10, to silence the home crowd.

An injury to Tom Clough did not help and Jonny Cole came on, but Heath continued to be penalised by the referee and luckily York missed an opportunity to extend their lead. The visitors continued to press a rather lethargic home defence and, on the half hour mark, Carter Haigh and Pete Hampshire made way for Seif Boussaada and Jack Pilcher and both had an immediate impact as Heath went looking for a score.

Some patient play, with Heath retaining ball, was rounded off by Boussaada powering over the try-line for a score and with Chris Johnson adding the extras Heath took the lead 14-10 as the half time whistle sounded.

The second half began with York coming at Heath, again with all guns blazing and when Chris Moore received a yellow card, much to the amazement of the Heath bench and supporters, Heath were up against it. From the resulting penalty, York failed to convert, a let off.

However, York continued to press and, when a huge clearance from Dan Cole bounced kindly and stayed in play, the visitors went back on the attack, opening up the home defence to score a try. An easy conversion was missed, 14-15, with fifty minutes on the clock and it was game on.

Chris Moore and Carter Haigh came on for Jonny Cole and Jack Pilcher as Heath went looking for a score and, in their first real inroad into the York half, Chris Johnson converted a penalty for Heath to regain the lead 17-15 on the hour mark. This seemed to inspire Heath and, with the visitors struggling, Johnson added another penalty, 20-15 with fifteen minutes left to play.

A York mistake from the re-start saw a Heath scrum on the half-way line and the home side were gradually getting back in control of the game as Johnson added a drop goal conversion and the lead was extended 23-15 with ten minutes left to play.

These quick additions to the score seemed to deflate the visitors and as Hampshire returned for Boussaada Heath began to turn the screw. A clever kick from Ezra Hinchliffe found touch in the visitors 22 and York were struggling to contain the home side, giving away yet another penalty resulting in a line out. Alex Patrick soared high to collect ball, the drive was on and Harvey Keighley-Payne powered over for a converted try, 30-15.

Let the celebrations begin - but not before York, much to their credit, went back on the attack and scored a try in the last play of the game, 30-22, as the final whistle sounded.

The players and crowd erupted with euphoria as they realised they had secured the Champions title and would be playing National League rugby next season. What a season and no doubt the celebrations went on deep into the night.

Next up, it is a chance to clinch a League and Cup double when Heath take on Sandal in the Yorkshire Cup final in a mid-week game. Hopefully, the hangovers will have cleared and as always see you there!!

League Results, here.

League Table, here.

Photography.

Bev Cloughed returned from her travels and was at the game.  More of her photos on the Heath Facebook page and her own Facebook page, here.  Andy Keighley was there and also has photos with this Report and on our Facebook page.  Enjoy.