The wins continue - great way to start 2013!

Heath entertained east coast rivals, Scarborough, looking to build on their excellent finish to 2012. In glorious Indian Summer conditions Heath awaited the return from Scotland of Dave Montgomery. His delay meant replacement Richard Cole had to begin the game at fullback. Veteran Mick Gleeson retained the wing berth after his role in the win at Driffield and Olly Collinge was on the bench. In the first minute, Heath got off to a flying start when Scarborough were penalised for not rolling away in a tackle and Charlie Lomas opened his account for a 3 – 0 lead. Scarborough came back but Heath were quickly in control and Ezra Hinchcliffe, Giles Hetherington and Si Brown combined for Brown to kick through and find touch in the corner. In the next 10 minutes, Heath were guilty of one or two indiscretions and poor play, that gradually allowed Scarborough to come more and more into the game. Montgomery came on to the field after 15 minutes of play, with Cole reverting to the bench. The impact was immediate as Chris Moore and Olly Cook made charges, to set up Dominic Walsh, Hetherington, Mark Puttick and ultimately Brown, who kicked through. Puttick appeared to touch down but the referee ruled that the ball had gone over the dead ball line. When a Scarborough player got offside, at the 22 re-start, Heath won the scrum and a planned move between Hinchcliffe and Montgomery allowed the latter to waltz through a huge gap and score unopposed. Lomas converted to give Heath a 10 – 0 lead after 20 minutes. Heath were well in control but another lack of discipline allowed Scarborough’s first chance to get on the board with a penalty, made 10 yards easier after Heath dissent, and Ratcliffe obliged: 10 – 3. Heath’s reply was positive. Ian Downsborough, in his favoured No 8 spot, picked up and powered through several attempted tackles before eventually releasing Danny Ramsden who went over for a well taken try. The conversion was missed but Heath were leading 15 – 3 after 27 mins. Once again, Heath were guilty of indiscipline but they regrouped and a then great run from Lomas gave good ball and a scoring chance to the supporting Montgomery. Whilst Scarborough saved the try, they gave away a penalty and Lomas took the three points on offer, to move the score on to 18 – 3 after 33 mins. Next a Scarborough forward was sin-binned for an illegal tackle with 5 minutes of the half remaining. Heath were looking to improve the score and a great kick for position by Hinchcliffe gave them a lineout just 5 metres from the visitors’ line. Second Row Jamie Richardson won the ball and it went out to Montgomery who was held up over the line but the referee awarded a penalty try with Scarborough adjudged offside. This was converted by Lomas to give Heath a convincing lead of 25 – 3 at half time. Scarborough raised their game after the break and with both sides throwing the ball about it was the visitors who scored, when wing Graeme Jeffrey went over on 45 mins for a try, which was converted by Ratcliffe - to get Scarborough back in the game at 25 – 10. Heath’s pack had other ideas and had control of the scrums, allowing Hinchcliffe to spray the ball all over the park and put Heath on the attack. On 60 mins, Scarborough replied with several strong runs and, as Heath struggled, Matty Young went over for an unconverted try. At 25 – 15, with 20 mins left, it was anyone’s game! Heath had to dig in and Ramsden led by example with several telling tackles that kept them infront. Downsborough made some awesome runs and Heath edged their way back. Collinge came on for Hunter. Play went from side to side before Wilby made a fine run, which ended when he pushed the ball through with slide-rule precision only to see the Scarborough cover just manage to thwart a try, on 70 mins. Heath kept up the pressure on the visitors’ defence and from a scrum the pack pushed forward and Moore came up with the ball for a try. It was not converted, but the 15-point margin had been restored, much to the relief of the home crowd: 30 – 15. For the final flourish, Cole came on for Walsh. Both sides continued to play open rugby but Heath held out for their first win of 2013. Heath have another tough home game next week: Ilkley. A victory then will see them climb the table.