Through to the Semis!

Heath Under 16s kicked off in their first game for 2 months at a very wet West Vale, against a very strong and previously unbeaten Bridlington side. They showed their intention from the start, putting in some great tackles, pegging the vistors back and forcing handling errors in the very difficult conditions. Heath managed to turn the ball over on Bridlington’s 22 and Sam Pollard managed to get is back line going forward, catching the vistors offside. First blood to Heath with Pollard taking 3 points. With the rain bouncing down Heath were playing the conditions better than the vistors. The host’s Brad Davis and Johnny Porritt really standing out and doing some great work. That said, Heath’s scrum was under pressure from the big Bridlington pack but livewire hooker James Wilkinson managed to strike 3 against the head. Heath’s no 8 and captain Stephen Hare, leading from the front with some strong running, set the platform for the backs and Pollard made the break, released a great ball to Hinchcliffe who drew his man to send Cofe Brobbey over for a great try and his first for the Club. Converted by Pollard the score moved on to 10 – 0 in Heath’s favour. From the restart Heath lost there strong running prop Lewis Foxton to a nasty mouth injury. Luke Czerpaniak replacing him with the heath pack shuffling round. The hosts were winning good ball all over the park now with Pollard kicking well out of hand, to peg the vistors back. Leading up to half time, great work from Peter Birkett and Richard Brambles led to another Heath penalty. This allowed Hinchcliffe to burst over for a crucial score before the whistle and Heath went into the break 15 – 0 up. In the second half, the rain kept bouncing down making handling conditions difficult for both sides. Heath picked up a quick penalty for offside and Pollard moved their score on to 18 – 0. Bridlington started to throw everything they had at the hosts but the Heath defence stood strong, with some great tackling from Tom Kilner and Sam Gardiner keeping the vistors at bay. After several scrums on the heath line the visitors’ pack looked to have forced their way over, only to knock on with the line begging. Heath managed to clear, with a great break up field from man of the match Jonny Porritt and camped in the vistors’ 22. Putting pressure on the Bridlington line and switching play both ways Captain Hare crashed over for a well deserved try. Pollard converted to make it 25 - 0 to the home side. This was a great team effort as Heath booked their place in another Yorkshire Cup semi final.