From the jaws of Victory .............

Heath travelled to lowly Pontefract looking to kick start their season with a second victory after several near misses in recent weeks. The only changes to the squad were on the bench with Domonic Walsh and Kofi Brobbey failing late fitness tests and so Oliver Wilby and Josh Lister came in from the development squad. It was vital Heath made a good start to the match and when Ezra Hinchliffe found touch in the home sides 22 in the first minute, several phases of attacking play resulted in Pontefract giving away a penalty, when they were caught offside - but, unfortunately Hinchliffe missed the opportunity to open Heath's account. However, from the re-start, the ball fell to Cameron Ramsden and he tore through the Ponty defence but was just held up short of the try line. A promising start for Heath, though, despite continued pressure, the visitors could not open their account. On 14 minutes Pontefract had there first real attack and from a scum 5 metres out, the home pack pushed over the try line to open their account with a converted try 7- 0. Heath needed to respond and from the re-start some hesitancy from several Ponty players saw Matt Baxendale steal in to pick up the ball and go under the posts. Hinchliffe conversion and the scores were level 7-7 after 15 minutes. This spurred Heath into action and, with the Ponty defence making basic mistakes and giving away penalties, from one of them Peter Birkett took a quick tap and linked up with the supporting Alex Cust and Ewan Miller and then finished off the move to score Heaths second try on 18 minutes 14-7 and worthy leaders. Heath were in control now and gaining in confidence.Si Brown, Ewan Miller and Matt Baxendale linked well and as the Heath winger kicked through the Ponty full back came across to kick the ball into touch as a try looked on the cards. With Ryan Hunter and Ian Downsborough dictating line out ball Heath were in control of the game but on 27minutes Ponty nearly added to their total only for Stephan Hare to do a superb tackle to prevent a certain score. Unfortunately Hare was injured and replaced by Oliver Wilby, 27mins. Back came Heath and, from a line out on the half way, the ball came to Ewan Miller, who was having his best game of the season, as he broke through the defence but his pass to Simon Brown fell short and a certain try was missed as Brown knocked on. From the re-start Heath continued to press and Peter Birkett, Ezra Hinchliffe and Darren Neily linked up for what looked like another certain try but once again the ball was dropped as a try looked imminent. As half time approached Hinchliffe converted another penalty to increase Heaths lead to 17-7 but the lead should have been a lot more. Prop Chris Moore was injured and so Olly Cook entered the fray at the start of the second half. The first ten minutes saw both packs take on each other with captain Mark Puttick leading his charges by example and from a scum Ian Downsborough, Peter Birkett and Cameron Ramsden linked well to release Ezra Hinchliffe who in turn slipped a pass to Ewan Miller for the best try of the game, converted by Hinchliffe and Heath 24 - 7 up after 52 minutes and seemingly in contol of their own destiny. However, the travelling band of Heath supporters did not see what was coming after Olly Wilby was sin binned for an intentional foul on 54 minutes. On 60 minutes, after intense pressure on the visitors try line, Ponty went over for a try in the corner and a great conversion from the touchline saw the home side claw their way back to 24-14, still no worries! Then on 64 minutes Ponty scored a converted try under the posts 24-21 and now Heath were clinging on. Constant pressure saw Ponty on 72 minutes draw level with a penalty after Heath were caught offside. Heath were now desperate to cling on to the game and in the last minute, with their last foray into the Ponty 22, had the chance to snatch victory when Ezra Hinchliffe had the opportunity with a penalty for Heath but his kick was well wide of the mark and the referee blew for full time. For Heath this was a game of two halves and one they should have been comfortably in front by half time. However, nerves got the better of them in the second half and in the end they were lucky to cling on for a draw. With high flying York the visitors next week to North Dean some serious hard work is going to have to be put in on the training paddock next week if we are to compete.