Heath claw back victory after poor start.

FINAL SCORE: Heath RUFC U17s 31 vs Hull Ionians RUFC U17s 19. Heath under 17’s had to pull out all the stops to come back from a first half two try deficit against seemingly weaker division 3 opposition. Having travelled all the way from Hull for the friendly, Heath appeared somewhat shell-shocked after the away side flew out of the traps; turnover ball for Hull in their own 22 led to a quick break on the blind side, culminating in the ball being hacked forward 20 metres up field allowing the opposition scrum half to dive over for the first score of the game. Conversion missed, Heath were 0-7 down. Despite the best attempts of centre Lewis McKenzie and Fullback Luke Matthews to break from the backline, the Ionians defence held firm. Not only were the West Vale side struggling to penetrate out wide, but also up front, where Hull initially showed much more aggression and desire to retain possession. Heath did, however, hit back after Hull’s ill discipline proved costly. Several infringements from the away team allowed half backs Luke Denton and Sam Talbot to set up strong field position. After a prolonged period of possession in Hull’s 22, Heath won a lineout on the opposition’s 5 metre line, and a precise throw from hooker James Wilkinson was well caught by number 8 and temporary captain George Smith, allowing the forwards to set up the maul and power forward. Having controlled the ball well at the back of the maul, flanker Jonny Porritt was able to break and make a short dash to the try line. Lewis McKenzie converted with a fine kick, leaving heath 7-5 to the good. Despite Heath hitting back, Hull showed strong spirit and were evidently determined to shock the higher league opposition. A mixture of extremely sloppy defending and a lack of communication from the home side proved unforgivable, as Hull twice broke away down the blindside, to cross the whitewash. With both the tries converted, Heath were left trailing 7-19 at half time. After a stern team talk from coach Hetherington in the break and the introduction of substitutes Jack Crabtree, Jack Sheldrake, and Ezra Hinchliffe, Heath played their way into the second half looking like a transformed team. Not only were the substitutes having a strong impact on the performance, but the rest of the Heath side also began to play to their usual capabilities. Heath scored almost immediately; now managing to put phases together, the away team could not keep up with the pace of the Heath side, and strong running from the forwards resulted in substitute flanker Jack Sheldrake powering over from close range. This was followed by once again, good lineout ball allowing the forwards to set up a maul which proved too technically strong for Hull to stop, Sheldrake scoring from the base. McKenzie was unlucky with the two resulting conversions, leaving the game poised at 17-19 to the opposition. Nevertheless, Heath continued their strong second half performance, and another Sheldrake try from a quick tap, this time converted by Hinchliffe, meant that Heath now led the game 24-19. With the Heath attack continuing to flow, quick ball from Denton and Hinchliffe allowed Jack Crabtree to receive a perfect pass and step his way over the line, Hinchliffe accurately converting. Tireless work also in the forwards, particularly from Brad Davies, Stephen Hare and Kofi Brobbey, ensured Hull’s tactic of attacking the short side was eliminated. With the game finishing 31-19 to Heath, it is undoubted that a performance similar to that of the second and not first half will be required against huge rivals Doncaster next weekend.