A good win for the 2nds, but it's goodbye to Rob Owen

Heath 2nd xv went on their travels to play Pontefract in their penultimate Merit League game. The match was played on a lovely, sunny afternoon on a firm, wide pitch making conditions ideal for running rugby. Captain Rick PAINTER won the toss and elected to play up the slope with the slight wind assistance. Heath were put under pressure immediately by Pontefract and play was taking place solely in the Heath half. After 6 minutes, Pontefract opened the scoring. From a defensive lineout on the Heath ‘22’, the ball was taken cleanly by Oliver COOK but it was then stolen from him and the scrum half made a dart for the line. Although he was stopped short, the ball was quickly recycles and the outside centre went in midway between the posts and the touchline. The conversion was successful. 0-7. Heath hit back straight from the kick off when Pontefract knocked the ball forward; Heath picked it up and passed it out to centre, John DENWOOD, who was the subject of a head-high tackle from his opposite number. The referee awarded a penalty, which was duly converted from 30 metres out, directly in front of the posts, by outside half, Tom OWEN. 3-7. Pontefract came straight back on the offensive and the right winger was tackled just short. The ball travelled forward in the tackle and left winger, Rob OWEN, retrieved the ball over the try line, passed it to full back, Mick GLEESON, who put-in a long, wind-assisted kick to the halfway line. The chase from Mick GLEESON and hooker, Ian CRAIGON, was excellent and the pressure was relieved. Although under pressure, the Heath tackling was good, typified by one effort by Rob OWEN who hammered his opponent into touch just short of the try line. However, the lead was increased after 19 minutes when Pontefract ran the ball to the Heath 10 metres line. Young wing forward, Martin PARKER, did some excellent work in turning-over possession and the ball was taken forward. Unfortunately, it was lost at the next breakdown and the rotund prop ran some 20 metres, including an outrageous dummy which caught out scrum half, Tom COLLINGE, before passing the ball out to the supporting backs who continued the attack. Although the centre was stopped just short of the try line, he was able to pass to the right winger who scored in the corner. The conversion dropped short. 3-12. Heath were immediately put under the cosh from the kick off when the outside half collected the ball in his ‘22’ and made a good break which took play into the Heath half. Pontefract continued to apply pressure and they were rewarded with a third try when the ball was taken forward by the forwards on a couple of drives before it was passed out for the Pontefract centre to score a try at the side of the posts. The conversion sailed over. 3-19 and Heath needed to dig deep and duly did. Pontefract continued to hold the upperhand but were unable to breach the Heath line. The first half was brought to a slightly premature end when hooker, Ian CRAIGON, was tackled and had to leave the field after lengthy treatment with a dislocated shoulder. The second half started with Tim COOK replacing Ian CRAIGON in the front row; captain Rick PAINTER moving to hooker from prop to accommodate him. Tom OWEN got the second half underway and immediately the ball was run back with interest by the Pontefract wing forward. However, the ball was turned-over and was passed down the Heath backline for the first time in the game. Mick GLEESON entered the line, drew the right winger and passed outside to Rob OWEN some 45 metres out from the try line. The Pontefract fullback showed Rob the outside and Rob put his head down and galloped towards the corner. When he was 5 metres short of the line, the full back grabbed him around his collar and threw him into touch. Referee, Graeme HALL, adjudged this to be a high and dangerous tackle and awarded a penalty try to Heath, which was duly converted by Tom OWEN. This was a perfect start to the second half for the Heath boys. 10-19. The Heath boys continued to repel any threats from Pontefract and reduced the lead after 50 minutes with some excellent, enterprising play. Heath gained possession in their own ‘22’ and the ball was thrown down the backline. Mick GLEESON came into the line once again to create the extra man and his pass found Rob OWEN who made some 40 metres before passing the ball back inside to the supporting Mick GLEESON who had a clear run to the line, placing the ball between the posts. Tom OWEN converted. 17-19. After 54 minutes, Heath took the lead. Martin PARKER carried the ball forward and, when tackled, Pontefract were penalised for not allowing him to play the ball. A quick tap penalty was taken by wing forward, Mark MATTOCK, and he was tackled by a defender who had failed to retreat the necessary 10 metres. Therefore, a further penalty was awarded some 30 metres out, just to the side of the posts and Tom OWEN kicked the 3 - pointer. 20-19 and what a change around!! After 59 minutes, the lead was extended further. From a defensive line out on their own ‘22’, the Pontefract outside half received the ball and tried chipping it over the advancing Heath defence. The ball travelled further than he wished and was picked up by Mick GLEESON who ran it back, before putting-in a deft chip kick over the defence himself. He collected the ball and was stopped just short of the try line. However, he was not held and he managed to regain his feet and dive over the line directly next to the corner flag. Tom OWEN struck a superb touchline conversion. 27-19 and the Heath lads’ tails were well and truly up. Pontefract then upped their game but they were continually being met by a superb defensive wall. After 69 minutes, however, the wall was breached. Pontefract took a foothold in the Heath ‘22’ and were awarded 3 penalties in quick succession. Scrums were elected for the first two penalties but the ball was quickly tapped and the wing forward went over the line. Martin PARKER and a colleague made an excellent attempt to prevent him grounding, but the try was awarded. The conversion was successful. 26-27 and it was all building-up to a tense finish. The remaining 11 minutes was played almost entirely around the halfway line with no team threatening their opponents line. That said, Pontefract had an attacking line out some 35 metres out, the referee indicating that this was the last play. The ball was won and they initially used their forwards in an attempt to gain ground. Heath withstood the pressure and the ball was passed down the line. Again, the backs showed their mettle and repelled the danger. The outside half then attempted a drop goal from 35 metres which hardly got off the ground. The ball went dead and the final whistle blew. Final score: Pontefract 26 v 27 Heath. After the first half, things were looking ominous for the Heath lads. However, they showed tremendous spirit and commitment from 1 - 15 throughout and they reaped the rewards for their efforts with a tremendous comeback victory. After last weeks’ debacle at Leeds Corinthians, this was a completely different team ethos, with 100% effort being put in by all players for the full 80 minutes. Well done, boys. Superb performance. Man of the match awards went to Mick GLEESON who had an excellent game both in attack and defence and was rewarded with 2 well-taken tries and, in the forwards, number 8, Alan SCHOLEFIELD, put in a number of his usual ‘big hits’ and took the ball up with his usual vigour. Finally, winger, Rob OWEN, played his last game for Heath RUFC before his impending move down Surrey due to work commitments. Rob is a quiet, unassuming lad who gives nothing less than 100% every time he puts the Heath shirt on. This season, he has played in 25 out of the 27 2nd xv games. On behalf of Heath RUFC, I would like to thank Rob for his contributions to the club and wish him all the very best in his new career. Remember, Rob, if you return ‘up north’, you will always be made most welcome down the club. Keep in touch, mate and all the very best.