The 'Stay at Homes' put on a good display.

Whilst the boys were away on tour to the Isle of Man, the remaining players turned out for a 2nd xv fixture at home against a 2nd / 3rd Bradford and Bingley xv. The game was played on the second pitch, which was in good condition on a mild, but drizzly afternoon. Heath kicked off playing against the wind. In the first 6-7 minutes, most of the game was played in the Bees half but Heath conceded penalties allowing the opposition to clear their lines. However, at the first Bees scrum, the Heath '8' got an excellent push on and the Bees front row buckled under the pressure, standing up to give away a penalty. This was an excellent start in the tight for the pack. Heath continued to dominate scrum ball but were finding it less clear-cut at the lineouts. The first 25 minutes was a stalemate with neither side able to dominate their opponents. However, the Bees back line began throwing the ball around and were starting to cause the home side some problems. After 34 minutes of fairly quiet play, Bees opened the scoring when Heath were penalised in the Bees half. From a quick tap, the ball was given to the Bees outside half who set of on a weaving run resulting in a try midway between posts and touch line. The conversion was missed. 0-5. From the kick off, play returned to the Heath half where outside half, Tom OWEN, put in a superb 60 metres clearance kick, which found touch 6 metres from the Bees line. However, Heath were unable to capitalise on their territorial advantage and referee, Stuart KNOWLING, blew for half time. 0-5. At half time, Dan INGHAM replaced Steve CROMIE on the right wing and Mark MATTOCK came off the replacements bench after a spell out with a broken hand to replace Neil SMURTHWAITE. The second half commenced with Heath knowing that they had to continue and extend their domination up front. After 44 minutes, Heath progressed into the Bees half and were awarded a penalty for offside. Tom OWEN struck a very good ball from 35 metres to reduce the lead to 3-5. After 53 minutes, Roger HAMMOND and his opposite number decided to have a discussion with their fists and received 10 minutes punishment from the referee. After 57 minutes, Heath had a 5 metre attacking scrum. The ball was initially driven-in by number 8, Joe SHIPMAN. The ball was laid back and Dan INGHAM took it on but was tackled and subsequently penalised for 'holding-on'. The chance to put points on the board had been lost. After 63 minutes, Heath were awarded a penalty some 30 metres out and Tom OWEN duly obliged with a well-executed kick. 6-5. One move apart, the Bees backs were getting no change out of their opposite numbers and the home side just needed to keep playing as they had done for the first 20+ minutes of the second half. Ian CRAIGON entered the fray to replace Barry SYKES in the back row. After 72 minutes, Bees were awarded a penalty for 'going to ground' on the halfway line but the resulting kick at goal by the Bees scrum half was short and Heath cleared the danger. However, within a couple of minutes, Heath transgressed once more when Karl RABY was adjudged to have 'held-on' at the tackle( It wasn't him!!!) and subsequently despatched to the sin bin for his ( or another's) actions. This time, the scrum half made no mistake from 30 metres directly in front of the posts. 6-8. That proved to be the final score in the game. Full time 6-8. After a fairly non-event of a first half, the Heath boys raised their game and gave a good display in the second period. Their efforts were appreciated by the onlookers and there is no disgrace losing to a team in a higher Merit Table. Man of the match awards go to young Tom OWEN who gave an exemplary display of kicking both from hand and on the ground with every single kick to touch finding its target with good distance and prop, Rick CARTER, who continues to prove an unsung hero in the pack. He screwed his opposite number in the tight and fully played his part in the loose.