Game of two halves, as they say.

Heath set off to Pontefract still smarting from their performance last week against bottom of the league Knottingley and looking to make amends. Giles Hetherington moved up to centre for the injured Karl Craven with Cameron Ramsden drafted into the fullback position. Ollie Collinge started at No. 6, as Coach Kevin Plant rotated his players, leaving Oliver Wilby to take a turn on the bench. Ezra Hinchcliffe missed a great kicking opportunity to open Heath’s account in the 2nd minute, when Pontefract were caught offside. In the first 10 minutes both sides made mistakes with missed passes and knock-ons. Heath’s front row was beginning to have an effect with Cook and Puttick making strong runs. From a scrum on the half way line Pontefract’s Chris Sant made a great break only to be caught by Ian Downsborough. As Heath tried to re-group, wing Andrew Tillett went over for a try which fullback Andy Dean converted to put Pontefract in the lead: 7 – 0. Using the slope downhill, the home side continued to attack in waves and Heath struggled with the pace of the game, giving away a penalty on their line on 22 minutes. Pontefract elected to scrimmage and the referee quickly awarded a penalty try when a Heath player parted from the scrum. It was converted to make the score 14 – 0. Heath needed a response and with their attack from the restart tried to find gaps but once again a missed pass allowed Pontefract to kick through and turn defence into attack. Downsborough was doing his best to stem the tide but many others were missing tackles and on 25 mins Pontefract went over again, with Sant the tryscorer and Dean the converter to make them comfortable leaders at 21 – 0. Ryan Hunter and Jamie Richardson were beginning to win good lineout ball and from one, on 35 mins, it looked as though Heath might open their account, but Pontefract held firm. However, Heath kept plugging away, waiting for an opening. When Hetherington intercepted a pass on the home 22 he juggled with the ball before being tackled. Downsborough was there in support and stormed over for a try, converted by Hinchcliffe, to make it 21 – 7 on 38 minutes. Two minutes later, the whistle brought an end to a disappointing half Heath brought on replacements at the start of the second half: Wilby for Collinge; Pidgeon to scrum half, for Walsh; Jack Sheldrake to centre, with Hetherington taking over the flyhalf berth from Hinchcliffe. The reshuffle had immediate effect with Puttick, Gleeson and Hetherington all going close. Ramsden looked to have scored but the referee blew for an infringement in the scrum. It was all Heath now as they increased the pace and played between the home 22 and the tryline. On 48 mins, Pontefract’s wing was sin-binned for handling in the ruck. Heath were looking for an opening and continued to throw the ball about. When Pontefract looked to play the ball behind the try-line, Sheldrake pounced for a try which Gleeson converted on 54 mins. The score was 21 – 14 on 54 minutes. The home side and their supporters did not know what was happening as Heath were a totally different side in the second half, benefitting from the changes and enjoying playing downhill. Following skilful passing from all the Heath back row, a grubber kick through was collected by Brown but he was held up just short, when a try looked certain. From the scrum, Hetherington put in a towering kick across the field for Gleeson. The wing nearly scored but Pontefract managed to clear the ball into touch. It was all Heath as the game moved into the final quarter. Chris Moore was injured on 62 mins so Collinge returned. As Heath ran rampant, Pontefract lost the ball at a scrum and Downsborough scooped it up to charge over for his second super try. The conversion was missed but the gap was narrowed to 21 – 19. Moore came back on with 12 minutes left. The game was there for the taking if Heath could remain focused. In a rare foray into the Heath 22, Pontefract kicked the ball to the dead ball line. All were moving for the restart but the Heath fullback was adjudged not to have touched down properly. Heath struggled at the resulting scrum and the referee immediately awarded a second penalty try which was converted to make the score 28 – 19, much against the run of play. Heath bounced back and were awarded a penalty which Gleeson converted on 78 mins to close the gap to 28 – 22 and secure a losing bonus point. The Pontefract hooker was sin-binned for a high tackle on Montgomery who had to be replaced by Hinchcliffe. As the clock ran down to the final whistle one final attacking phase of play took place, as Heath sought one final score. Unfortunately, a misjudged kick forward saw the ball collected by Pontefract and the game brought to an end. This was a classic game of two halves from Heath. Completely outplayed in the first half but absolutely dominant in the second. The bonus point was well-deserved for the second half performance and left them 10th in the league.