Lack-lustre Heath performance.

In superb conditions Heath welcomed North Ribblesdale to North Dean. Heath were looking to gain a much-needed victory. Coach Kevin Plant had gone for another youthful side with a back line averaging early 20’s. In the pack, Watson and Moore returned. From the kick off both sides tested each other, trying to find a gap. The first opportunity fell to N Ribb after 9 minutes with a penalty but the attempt was well wide of the mark. Birkett, Walsh and Sheldrake were combining well in the backs for Heath and Watson was leading from the front in the pack - with several strong runs early on. On 12 mins a needless obstruction by Cook on the half way line saw play eventually re-start 20 metres out from the Heath tryline. For the next 5 minutes, Heath were under constant pressure and on 15 minutes Ribb were rewarded with a penalty to lead 0 - 3. It was all Ribb at this stage and on 21 minutes they were awarded another penalty when Brown was sin-binned: 0 – 6. Heath needed to respond and Collinge took the ball from the restart. Good play from Wilby, supported by Hunter and Moore, led to Ribb giving away a penalty in front of the posts. Hinchliffe obliged and it was 3 – 6 after 25 minutes. For the next 15 minutes, both sides were looking for a try. Hunter was winning excellent lineout ball to set up Heath and from one Puttick charged through, backed up by Baxendale and Birkett but Ribb held out and half time came. McKenzie then came on for Brobbey. From the restart, Ribb immediately went on the attack. Heath survived several close shaves but on 47 minutes, following a dropped pass on the half way line, quick hands by Ribb moved the ball across the field for a try. This went unconverted but the visitors were ahead: 3 – 11. An immediate reply was required and from the restart Heath were awarded a penalty which Hinchliffe converted on 48 minutes to close the gap to 11 – 6. Eight minutes later as Heath were gaining the upper hand Ribb were penalised for offside. Unfortunately, Hinchliffe pulled his kick wide and Ribb were off the hook. Ribb retaliated and put pressure on the home defence with some good handling and strong runs. On 63 minutes, Heath were fortunate not to concede a try when Ribb went clear over the line but the referee ruled ‘knock on’ at the touchdown. Heath were under constant pressure and on 69 mins Ribb were awarded a penalty but made nothing of it. They continued to attack but Heath held firm. Hinchliffe then had a good run but was stopped by a tackle which was adjudged illegal and resulted in the sin-binning of a Ribb player. Heath needed to take advantage of their numerical advantage in the last 10 minutes. On 75 minutes a quick kick by Ribb saw Walsh exposed and a penalty was given in front of Heath’s posts. The easy conversion took the score beyond Heath’s grasp at 6 -14. As Heath tried to get back in the game they were panicking and making too many mistakes as Ribb held out for a fairly unconvincing win – and so ended a typical end-of-season game with both sides having little to play for but Ribb perhaps wanting a win more than Heath.