Another game of two halves.

Heath travelled to league leaders Ilkley looking to avenge a home defeat by the narrowest of margins in September. A much-changed side took the field with Thackray, Pratt and Hare all failing late fitness tests resulting in Olly Wilby and Jeff Jones coming into the pack and Zac Dewhirst in on the wing. Olly Collinge came on to the bench. Against the backdrop of Ilkley Moor with the pitch in good condition and the sun shining a good afternoon was anticipated. Heath kicked off and Jones and Ewan Miller were immediately prominent as Heath went straight on the attack. They continued forward and, from Ezra Hinchliffe’s clever kick through, Matthew Hallett celebrated his return from a long lay-off with a smart pick up to skip over for a try after 5 mins – the first time Ilkley’s ‘whitewash’ had been crossed in four outings! The difficult conversion was missed but Heath were deservedly 0 – 5 up. Ilkley came back strongly but resolute tackling from the Heath pack, with Wilby, Ryan Hunter and Darren Neilly conspicuous, keeping them at bay. However, Ilkley kept pressing and from a lineout 5 metres from the Heath tryline Iain McKenzie popped up to score a try and level the scores 5 – 5 on 14 mins. Heath stormed back and when Hinchliffe linked with Josh Lister and Cameron Ramsden, Ilkley gave away a penalty. Hinchliffe kicked a brilliant conversion to put Heath 8 – 5 ahead after 17 mins. The referee warned Ilkley for constant penalties and put fly-half Josh Kimber in the sin-bin on 19 mins. Could Heath make their extra man count? On 27 mins, Heath attacked with Hinchliffe, Hallett and Dewhirst involved before Ilkley gave away a penalty. Heath put the ball in touch in the corner and from the catch drove forward to the line. Alex Cust looked to have scored a try but the referee brought them back. The home side defended well and cleared their lines. A period of even play followed but on 36 mins Ilkley’s battering forwards had Heath concede a penalty but Kimber's kick hit the post and Heath cleared. The visitors certainly looked up for the game and when Hallett took a quick free kick he went 50m unchallenged. Heath were on the attack to no avail as half time came. This had been a great half for Heath who were playing with much heart. From the start of the second half, the home team clicked into gear and on 43 mins Steve Burns strode over for a converted try to put his team in the lead 12 – 8. Heath made a substitution with Olly Collinge going on for Jeff Jones. On 47 mins, Heath were caught offside and Kimber increased the lead to 15 – 8. Heath needed to respond and they attacked the Ilkley line looking for a break-through. With 20 mins remaining, Dom Walsh came off and Peter Birkett went on. At this stage the game was very even, either side could win. Against the run of play on 65 mins Ilkley had the luck of the bounce and No. 8 Stewart Brewer evaded 2 tackles and found Burns on hand to score his 2nd try at the posts. Kimber’s conversion made it 22 – 8. Jones went back on for Cust; then Walsh returned when Neilly was injured. With these enforced changes, Heath were under the cosh and Brewer charged over from a rolling maul for a bonus-point try. With Kimber’s conversion, this took the score to 29 – 8 on 73 mins. Olly Cook was injured on 76 mins and Roger Hammond entered the fray. The game looked lost to Heath as the clock wound down. This had been a bruising encounter and Heath had battled the league-leaders well. All the players should take credit for their performance which produced a keenly contested match. Heath fully deserved to take something from this game but unfortunately ran out of steam in the last 10 minutes.