Game nearly slips away, but final flourish brings Victory.

Heath travelled to Keighley with Ryan Hunter coming in for the suspended Olly Cook in an otherwise unchanged side from the previous week’s bonus-point loss against Wath. On the bench, Josh Lister and Chris Moore accompanied Hamish Pratt. Keighley, relegated from North East Two, were confident of a home win but Heath had other ideas as they looked for a first league win of the season. Hinchliffe kicked off for Heath and there was 5 minutes of even play before Heath’s captain, Mark Puttick, was injured. Heath’s pack looked convincing in the scrum and with the ball they probed the Keighley defence. Keighley’s first foray into the Heath 22 saw Gleeson, Hunter, Sheldrake and Downsborough putting in some telling tackles. The pressure on Heath’s defence was to no avail and with their pack dominant it cleared. On 18 minutes, Wilby won lineout ball and Puttick, Hunter, Watson and Hare charged forward interpassing before Keighley were caught offside 10 metres from the tryline. Heath opted for a scrum. Downsborough controlled the ball as Heath drove forward and as Walsh grabbed hold of the ball Keighley were once again found offside. This time, Hinchliffe put points on the board to make it 0 – 3 after 20 mins. Keighley stormed back but a series of mistakes prevented them from opening their account until Heath were caught offside on 24 mins and Keighley drew level, 3 – 3. After the restart, a kick through was fielded by Gleeson and he was ‘taken out’ after returning the kick - resulting in a penalty for Heath on the Keighley 22. Hinchliffe converted to put his side ahead: 3 – 6 on 26 minutes. An excellent run and kick from centre Sheldrake set Heath up again. A scrum resulted from a knock-on as Heath overturned Keighley’s defence. Walsh released Hinchliffe who nipped in for a well-taken try on 31 mins. Hinchliffe also had a simple conversion to put Heath deservedly ahead at 3 – 13. Heath were playing good, controlled rugby. Brown, Miller and McKenzie linked well before the move broke down. Then sustained pressure from the home side eventually paid off as Heath were caught offside, allowing Keighley to pull the score back to 6 – 13 on half time. This had been a sound first-half performance from Heath which they now looked to build on. Moore replaced Watson at prop at the start of the second half. Keighley began the second half determined to increase their score. Heath were penalised for slow play at the lineout then Hare was sin-binned for intentional obstruction. The penalty attempt hit the post and as Heath watched, Keighley’s hooker Armitage scooped up the ball and passed to the supporting Lowther who went over for a converted try: 13 – 13 on 44 mins. Heath were shell-shocked. Pratt came on for Wilby (injured) and tried to steady the ship. Within two minutes, Keighley were offside again and Hinchliffe edged Heath in front: 13 – 16. From the re-start, Heath conceded a penalty but the shot went wide. On 52 mins, Keighley’s No.6, Lowther was sin-binned for foul play against Puttick For the next few minutes it was all Keighley striving to score, but Neilly, Hunter and Downsborough had other ideas and Heath stood firm. Johnson, Moore and Puttick were superb in the scrum as the Heath front row dominated. A break from Keighley’s centre, Ferrazanno, threatened but Hare held him up short. Heath then struggled and were caught offside in front of the posts. The conversion levelled the scores again and at 16 – 16 on 64 mins it was anybody’s game. Watson returned to the field, for Moore. A mistake from Sheldrake on 66 mins saw the Keighley winger kick through and chase to the tryline but he failed to touch the ball down which was a let-off for Heath! The game got more tense. An attempted drop goal by Keighley was charged down by Downsborough in a spell of frenetic play. Heath maintained their composure whereas ill-discipline from Keighley probably cost them the game. Simultaneous incidents saw their fly-half Brown sin-binned and wingman Walker censured. Hinchliffe struck the penalty from almost half way and Heath were in front with 5 mins remaining at 16 – 19. A superb long kick from Heath’s fly-half rolled into touch 10 metres from the Keighley line to settle Heath’s nerves. This was territory which they would not give up! From the throw-in they stole the ball and Walsh and Pratt combined well to set up the next phase of play. Another scrum and several pick-and-drives later, Downsborough went over for a try which Hinchliffe converted: 26 – 16 with minutes remaining. Keighley tried to get back but the winning points went to Heath, who thoroughly deserved them and they now move up the table.