Fine away win brings top of league slot.

HEATH U17s. The result mattered more than the performance was probably how Heath under 17s felt after this match. Heath travelled the short trip to Ilkley with whom they were sitting level on points at the top of the league, and with the two best teams taking to the park in awful blustery conditions a show piece game was eagerly anticipated by the vocal support of both sides. The game kicked off with Heath playing into the strong winds and after a fierce first 5 minutes, with the Ilkley pack showing the worst side to their game, the referee awarded a quick succession of penalties which Sam Pollard stroked over to give the Heath a well deserved 6 nil lead. This spurred on the dynamic Heath pack who, against a much bigger home pack, were taking the game to them at every opportunity, Stephen Hare again leading by example with a man of the match performance. Ilkley’s number 10 used the conditions well to clear his lines and force Heath back into their own 22. After they defended a wave of attacks, Heath gave away a cheap penalty in front of the posts - a gift to the Ilkley boys , the first penalty was missed but the referee awarded a retake and at the second attempt the score was 6 - 3 to Heath. The game then became fraught and numerous incidents were taking place at most breakdowns and it looked like the first team to settle into playing rugby could win the game. Late in the first half, with probably Ilkley’s first flowing move, they scored a try out wide. Jake Duxberry converted from the touchline to give them a 10 - 6 lead. Heath were now guilty of trying to force the play and, with their free scoring backs finding the going very tough, the forwards took control and started to make good ground all over the field - allowing Pollard to take another 3 points from a penalty, to go in at half time 10 - 9 down. The second half was similar to the first with Heath playing the rugby but unable to find the final pass to release their speedy players. So, again, it was the forwards that took control - pushing the much bigger opposition pack backwards to eventually allow the strong running George Smith crash over to give Heath a lead early in the second half, Pollard converting. Ilkley again came back at Heath and it was there number 10 Jake Duxberry who charged down a Pollard kick and followed this on by chipping it past the despairing Heath players and touching down himself to bring the hosts back into contention at 15 – 16. Again Heath were up against it and defended their line tackling ferociously and eventually settling into a period of phased play taking the ball up field eventually giving to the backs for Pollard to make the break and feed Sheldrake to score out wide. Pollard was unable to take the extra points but Heath had a winning score of 21 to 15. Heath are now clear at the top of Division 1 and travel away to Guisborough next weekend for what is a massive game.