2nds keep trying.

Heath 2nd xv went on their travels to the lovely Yorkshire Dales to take on Wharfedale 3rd xv—well, it would have been lovely apart from it absolutely persisting down for the whole 80 minutes. Heath travelled with 15 only . It could have been worse but for young Gerrard RAWLINGS, from Rishworthians, and Richard DIXON making one in at the last minute!!!!! Anyway, Heath kicked off with the elements and slope in their favour and within 2 minutes, Heath had been given a penalty just outside the home ‘22’ and Oliver COOK made no mistake with the resulting kick. 3-0. Heath were pressing in the early stages but Wharfedale came back into the game in the 9th minute when the number 8 made a good break and passed to the supporting full back who scored near to the posts. The try was converted. 3-7. The game continued to be fairly even but then Wharfedale started to turn the screw. In the 22nd minute they were able to score a further converted try near the posts. 3-14. After 27 minutes, Wharfedale increased their advantage when Heath were penalised for offside in their own ‘22’. A quick tap was taken and the Heath defence had not retreated the full 10 metres and the Wharfedale player was able to score under the posts without a finger being placed upon him. Conversion successful. 3-21. Heath battled away against good, young opposition but were unable to prevent them increasing their lead after 36 minutes with a converted try. 3-28. Shortly afterwards, prop, Tim COOK, had to leave the field with a back injury and we had uncontested scrums until half time when Wharfedale gracefully allowed one of their replacements to play at prop for ourselves,. The second half started better for Heath. They had a couple of decent moves involving Andy WHITE, Craig AMBLER, who was skipper for the day, Martin BARNES and Tom COLINGE and the effort level shown in the first half was continuing. After 54 minutes, Wharfedale increased their lead. They had been awarded an attacking 5 metres scrum and Heath managed to disrupt the scrum gaining the put in when it moved beyond 90 degrees. However, from the resulting scrum, Heath outside half, Richard DIXON, making a welcome return to the club, was able only to step into the dead ball area and from the set piece, the number 8 passed the ball to the full back who went over for an unconverted try. 3-33. Wharfedale then quickly added a further 12 points through a converted and unconverted try. 3-45 after 61 minutes and Heath needed to dig in. Heath then did themselves proud. They fought their way into the home ‘22’ where they were literally camped for a good 7-9 minutes. During this time, a Wharfedale player was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul. However, although Wharfedale continued to be penalised, there was argument for a penalty try to be awarded for persistent offending but Wharfedale defence held solid and the ball was lost in the home ‘22’ and Wharfedale went the length of the field to score a converted try under the posts. 3-52 after 72 minutes. Wharfedale scored a further unconverted try albeit poor old Tom COLLINGE managed to delay the score with some excellent defence when he was faced by the ball carrier and 5 of his colleagues!! Well done, Tom, well stuck at it. The whistle then brought the game to an end. Final score 3-57. Heath travelled with 15 players. As stated earlier, this could have been worse but for a couple of lads making themselves available. However, I would like to say a big thank you to all of the lads who made the trip to play against a strong side in awful conditions when it would have been so easy to have made their excuses and not travelled. The effort cannot be faulted and we just need a victory to allow confidence to grow. Stick at it, lads. Remember, we are all in this together and the easy path is to make yourself unavailable for whatever reason. As I say, that is easy. Keep plugging away, fellas, and it will come good. Man of the match awards went to number 8, Richard DANCE, who had an excellent game in the set scrum where he cleaned up a lot of ball under pressure and also, took his fair share of lineout ball; and, wing forward, Martin PARKER, who is learning all of the time and who is becoming a destructive player in the loose, causing constant problems to the opposition. Well done, boys.