TOO MANY MISTAKES CONDEMN HEATH TO DEFEAT AT HOME AGAINST A STRONG HULL IONIANS TEAM

Selection

Chris Moore,  Alex McFadden,  Josh Buller, Pete Hampshire, Jonny Cole,  Harvey K Payne, Tom Stansfield

Tom Egan,  Chris Johnson, Jake Haynes, Ezra Hinchliffe,  Harry Harrison,  Cliff Howard, Callum H Brown.

Tom Clough,  Dan Smith,  Seif Boussaada, Zac Baker, Elliott Spiers.

Scorers

Jake Haynes, try x 1.  Harry Harrison, try x 1.

Chris Johnson, con'vs x 2.

Scoring Timeline:  Link, here.

Video

Link to tries, here.

Match Report

Heath played their first ever National League game at North Dean when they entertained Hull Ionians, on Saturday. As expected, a large crowd had gathered to witness the occasion and the ground looked splendid after work had been carried out over the summer. Jonny Cole started with Tom Stansfield moving to 8 and Tom Clough on the bench in the only changes.

Ionians kicked off, playing towards the river end and, as Heath collected the ball, they booted it straight back into the visitors' half. A mistake then saw a  Chris Johnson penalty find touch in the corner and from line out ball Heath drove into the visitors' defence who were resilient and cleared their lines.

Ionians got to grips with the pace of the game, began to put pressure on the home defence and, following a line out, they drove to the try-line to secure an opening converted try to lead 7-0 after nine minutes play. Ionians then became encamped in the Heath half and it came as no surprise to see them add to their tally with another converted try to lead 14-0 with twenty-four minutes on the clock.

A clever re-start kick from Chris Johnson should have paid dividends but Heath made a mistake with a knock on and the chance was gone. Ionians gradually began to dictate play and, with Heath struggling, they survived, as the visitors dropped too much ball. On the half hour mark Seif Boussaada and Dan Smith replaced Pete Hampshire and Josh Buller but they were powerless to stop the attacking prowess of Hull and a superb 40-20 kick saw them have another opportunity to score - but Heath defended well and the chance was gone. Heath replied when yet another penalty from Johnson found touch.  When Harvey Keighley-Payne collected ball the drive was on, but once again, a mistake from Heath saw the visitors clear their lines. With half time approaching, Tom Clough came on for Tom Stansfield but there was little time left for him to have any possession as the whistle sounded.

The second half began with Chris Johnson kicking deep into the visitors' half.  From the return kick by Ionians, Johnson collected the ball and linked up with Cliff Howard. The Heath wingman set off on a jinking run before being stopped by the visitors' defence. However, Heath retained ball and when it came out to Jake Hynes, although still having a mountain of work to do, he managed to evade several tackles and, roared on by the home crowd, crossed for a try, converted by Johnson and Heath were back in the game 14-7 with forty five minutes on the clock.

Tom Egan was replaced by Zac Baker and, with Heath now on top, Ionians were struggling to stop the onslaught. However, they defended well and when they managed to get into Heath's 22, they struck with a third converted try, 21-7 taking advantage of some poor defensive work from Heath.

Chris Moore and Harvey K Payne were replaced by Elliott Spiers and Josh Buller as Heath tried to keep hold of the ball and probe the visitors defence. A penalty from Johnson found touch in the corner but once again Heath failed to capitalise, losing line out ball. Heath continued to press and a break came on seventy minutes when Harrison received the ball out on the wing and with work still to be done, he managed to touchdown in the corner. A difficult conversion from Johnson saw Heath back in the game at 21-14 with ten minutes left to play.

Jonny Cole left the field as Harvey Keighley-Payne returned, but he was powerless to prevent the visitors from scoring a fourth bonus point try to lead 28-14 with minutes left to play.

The final whistle sounded and Heath had lost a second game against a very good and well drilled Ionians side. We know it was not going to be easy in this league and so it is back to the training paddock to work on mistakes before we travel to Sheffield Tigers next Saturday. As always see you there!

Player awards from Saturday

1st XV Man of the Match selected by matchday sponsors Hargreaves Foundry: Harvey Keighley-Payne
Captain fantastic Harvey takes the award for the 2nd week running after another battling display.  

1st XV Coaches' Award: Jake Haynes.  Last year's top try scorer has started the season in blistering form with 3 tries in 2 games.

Harvey is sponsored by Marcus Reynolds Hairdressing.  Jake is still available to sponsor - contact us if you would like to sponsor him.

League Results:  Link, here.

League Table:  Link, here.

Photographers

Bev Clough.  More of her photos on Facebook, here.

John Baker.

Garf '

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