HEATH DENIED AS SANDAL HOLD ON TO WIN YORKSHIRE CUP

Selection
15 Jack Bruce 14 Elliott Spiers 13 Callum Harriot-Brown 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Elliot Knight 10 Chris Johnson 9 Sam Cox 1 Olly Cook 2 Alex McFadden 3 Chris Moore 4 Alex Patrick 5 Pete Hampshire 6 Ben Stringer 7 Jonny Cole 8 Harvey Keighely-Payne 16 Max Rowntree 17 Ben Hall 18 Saif Boussaada 19 Josh Beck 20 Fergus Marsden 21 Carter Haigh 22 Jack Pilcher

 Scorers
Jack Pilcher 1 try   Chris Johnson 2 pens

Report
After clinching the League title, attention now turned to a mid-week encounter against Sandal in the final of the Yorkshire Cup, played at Huddersfield Laund Hill. Jack Bruce and Elliot Knight came in for the injured Dan Cole and Jake Haynes while in the forwards Olly Cook returned for a start at prop and Jonny Cole came in with Harvey Keighley-Payne moving to 8 for the injured Tom Clough. 

A large crowd had assembled with starting conditions ideal and the atmosphere under lights was electric as the teams entered the arena to loud applause. Heath kicked off and Sandal managed to control the ball in the early exchanges but slipped up when Elliott Spiers nearly intercepted a long pass but could not keep hold of the ball. Next up a penalty from Chris Johnson found touch in the Sandal 22 and when Alex Patrick claimed line out ball it was another chance for Heath but Sandal remained solid in defence.  Further penalties given away by Sandal saw Heath squeezing their defence but they could not find a way through.

On fifteen minutes, with Heath encamped in the Sandal half, Harvey Keighley-Payne broke from a scrum to charge for the line and with support at hand it looked to be a score but Sandal once again clung on. Sandal could not get out of their own half and a break came after twenty-five minutes when Chris Johnson converted a penalty and Heath led 3-0.

On the half hour mark Heath made four changes bringing on Jack Pilcher, Carter Haigh, Saif Boussaada and Fergus Marsden as Heath continued to be encamped in the Sandal half and it wasn’t until five minutes to half time that Sandal eventually entered the Heath half. An injury to Jonny Cole saw Josh Beck come on as the tackling continued to be ferocious but with a couple of minutes left to half time Chris Johnson received a yellow card and Heath were up against it. 

The start of the second half Heath came out strong and when a penalty from Ezra Hinchliffe found touch it was yet another opportunity for Heath to add to their tally. The line out was won by Heath and the drive was on but once again Sandal held out bundling the ball into touch. However, from the second line out Heath once again won ball and from this drive Jack Pilcher emerged with the ball to score an unconverted try and Heath led 8-0 with forty-three minutes played.

From the re-start Sandal responded with a charge into the Heath defence and a quickly taken tap penalty created havoc. With Heath struggling, Sandal scored a converted try to reduce the arrears, 8-7 with fifty minutes played. Chris Johnson returned to bring Heath back up to full strength but the Sandal try rejuvenated them and Heath continued to be put under pressure. Ben Hall replaced Jack Bruce but as Heath re-organised Sandal were awarded a penalty which was converted and they led 8-10 with fifty-five minutes on the clock.

The game became a real battle as Heath tried to eek out a score. Alex Patrick returned and he was instrumental in getting the Heath forwards driving into the Sandal defence who remained solid and ,despite Elliot Knight and Jack Pilcher going close, Heath could not find a way through. With time ticking, a huge clearance from Chris Johnson bobbled badly and Sandal knocked on. From the scrum Sandal once again struggled and drives from Harvey Keighley-Payne and Alex Patrick resulted in a penalty for Heath. Up stepped Chris Johnson who converted in off the post and Heath led 11-10 with five minutes left to play.

The Heath supporters were looking for the final whistle but Sandal had other ideas and after being awarded a penalty re-took the lead 13-11 with minutes left to play. Heath went back on the attack and after the referee awarded a penalty to Sandal the linesman intervened and the decision was reversed. Although a long way out, up stepped Johnson and as the Heath crowd waited with baited breath his kick soared into the night sky but the ball went wide of the mark and the Sandal fans cheered with delight.

There was still time for Heath to get a score but, despite Sandal having a player carded, full time was approaching and after yet more heroic defending the final whistle sounded and it was Sandal who had held out for the win.

Disappointing for the Heath faithful but credit must go to Sandal who defended superbly and took their chances when they arose.

A missed opportunity for Heath who must now re-group and, after the Easter break, start preparations for their final league game of the season - at home to Kendal. As always see you there!!

Photography:

Bev Clough and Andy Keighley there, battling the light and elements !!