Nearly did it ........

Heath travelled to the East Cost low in numbers, both players and supporters. With the late withdrawal of Lewis McKenzie, Dom Walsh was brought back into the fold, at fullback, with Si Brown moving on to the wing. No substitutes were available to travel. Heath began solidly and for the first 10 minutes performed well against an enthusiastic home side. Unfortunately, Moore was caught off-side and the hosts went 3 - 0 up after 12 minutes. 3 minutes later Hetherington put a kick into the corner but this was collected by winger Stirk who combined with full-back Zindo to run the ball back through a lacking Heath defence, to score an unconverted try. 8 – 0. Heath were not having the run of the ball when, from a line-out, Dance powered through and took a Brid’ dropped ball but the home defence held out before conceding a penalty. From the resulting scrum Richard Cole released Dave Montgomery, who made a charge for the line. Moore backed up and powered over to open heath’s account, the try being converted by Ezra Hinchliffe, and the visitors were back in the game, 8 – 7 after 22 minutes. The next 10 minutes saw Bridlington’s prop Shepherdson sin-binned and his colleague, prop, Luxton off injured, which could have helped Heath’s cause. There were some good tackling stints from Montgomery, Watson, Puttick, Moore and Wilby, but a mistake allowed Brid’ to score a converted try and extend their lead to 15 – 7 on 35 minutes. The hosts were taking control and only a great tackle from Watson prevented another score. That said, Heath began to move the ball around and Hetherington set off on a jinking run; Watson was in support but held up before any more points came, and the half-time whistle blew. Heath re-started and immediately were awarded a penalty for a high tackle. Hinchliffe obliged to reduce the arrears to 15 – 10 on 41 minutes. However, the home side hit straight back with a try, following a set move and some Heath missed tackles. Despite an easy conversion chance the ball bounced back off the posts though the hosts were now 20 points to 10 after 43 minutes. The scrappy game came to life with Heath attacking in the final quarter. Hetherington picked up a loose ball and set off on another mazy run to go over; Hinchliffe converting and bringing the score on to 20 points to 17. But Brid’ bounced back with a surging attack, initially stopped by a great tackle from Walsh, but scrum-half Robinson went over for a converted try and a score of 27 – 17. More good work came from Watson and Moore, who linked well and then released Cole, but Bridlington won the ball back, moved into the attack, and scored an unconverted try on the hour. 32 – 17 Heath needed to regroup, but they were beginning to feel the effects a the game with no substitutes available and Brid ran in another try, this time from Mellanby, which he converted for a score of 39 – 17 on 64 minutes. Heath had to get back into contention and man of the match Watson linked with Captain Montgomery for him to go over for a well-taken, converted, try. 39 – 24 on 68 minutes. In these final stages Heath fought their way on top and the hosts began to look ragged. Thackray stopped a promising Bridlington move and Heath fought back with good runs from Hinchliffe, Walsh and Brown. A penalty against Brid was quickly taken by Hetherington, and Thackray, in support, went over for a try followed by a great touchline conversion by Hinchliffe and a score of 39 – 31 with minutes left. Heath fought to the end and one final penalty just went wide which prevented them acquiring a second bonus point.