Heath lose grip on game in final quarter.

Heath travelled to Selby seeking a victory after three narrow defeats in four matches. Selby were newly promoted from Division Two and had made a very promising start to the season with wins against Keighley & North Ribblesdale and single point defeats by title-chasers Doncaster & Wath. A close encounter was anticipated. Heath’s team was as selected, except for the withdrawal of Rondene Johnson (ill) who was replaced on the bench by Peter Birkett. The sides looked evenly matched for the first few minutes but a defensive lapse allowed Selby an unconverted try on 6 minutes. Matt Hallett attacked in response with forwards Ian Downsborough, Hamish Pratt and Chris Moore making charges. Backs Ewan Miller, Ezra Hinchliffe and Matt Baxendale were then prominent before Selby were caught offside on 9 minutes and Hinchliffe obliged with a penalty to make the score 5 – 3. Heath continued to press for more points with Stephen Hare and Moore surging forward before swinging the ball out to Hinchliffe, Miller then Hallett, whose superb offload released Mick Gleeson to go over for a try on 16 minutes. Hinchliffe added the conversion and Heath were in control: 5 - 10. In defence, Selby were making too many mistakes and Heath tried to capitalize on them. On 20 mins, Baxendale raced through from deep, only to be stopped 15 metres short. The next three phases of play were dominated by Heath forwards, Darren Neilly, Downsborough, Puttick & Pratt. Selby were penalised and Hinchliffe increased the visitors’ lead to 5 – 13 on 22 minutes. Selby mounted only their second attack, kicking through, but centre Jack Sheldrake cleared the lines and a 5 metre scrum followed. Heath’s pack stood firm but Selby were awarded a penalty which Cruise converted: 8 – 13. Heath’s play was becoming scrappy and while Pratt lay injured they gave away two penalties and a kickable one on 33 minutes, which was missed. Pratt had to come off and his replacement, Olly Cook went into the second row, with Downsborough dropping back to No. 8. As Heath adjusted, Selby swooped for a second try, scored in the corner by Sam Weller on 36 mins to set up a half time score of 13 – 13. The game was wide open and there for the taking, for either side. The second half started fast and furious but Heath looked suspect. Three errors saw Selby break through for an unconverted try in the corner, despite the efforts of Sheldrake and Gleeson: 18 – 13 on 45 mins. Heath needed to concentrate on retaining possession and from the re-start did just that but when James Watson fumbled with an overlap created, Selby pounced. Fullback Dan Porter waltzed over for a try. With Cruise converting on 48 minutes and the score now 25 – 13, Heath were shell-shocked! Dom Walsh and Hinchliffe led a speedy response and a long pass enabled Hallett to storm through, but desperate defence by Selby halted his progress. Next, it was Moore who battered through, but Selby just managed to cling on. After a series of scrums which they dominated, Heath were awarded a penalty try on 56 mins and with Hinchliffe’s conversion they were back in the game at 25 – 20. Peter Birkett replaced Walsh at scrum half and made an immediate impact. A series of quick passes moved the ball across the field both ways before Baxendale just failed to score a try on 59 mins. Then Selby started to throw the ball about but came up against stiff defence from Puttick, Watson, Hallett, Baxendale and Olly Wilby. The end-to-end play delighted everyone watching. On 63 mins, a dancing run from Hallett turned defence into attack and great play from Hare and Birkett moved Heath further forward, only to drop the ball, on 66 mins. A Selby penalty attempt fell just short, leaving Heath to drop out. Alex Cust came on for Wilby. A good break by Selby’s wing was stopped by Hallett’s superb tackle, preventing a certain try. However, play continued, to the surprise of onlookers, and Weller scored his second try, converted by Cruise: 32 – 20 on 70 mins. Play continued at a pace with both sides pressing for more points. Although Selby missed a penalty shot on 75 mins, time was running out for Heath. Hallett had to come off with a shoulder injury and Walsh went back on. As time expired, Cruise dummied then dropped a goal for Selby to come out winners at 38 – 20. This was a disappointing result for Heath with the scoreline not reflecting the closeness of the game but serving to emphasize the strength in Division One.