Well worked and deserved win!

Heath travelled to the East coast, buoyed by a hat trick of league wins and looking to keep momentum going as they claw their way up the league table and secure a place in Yorkshire One for next season. Alex McFadden and Hamish Pratt took their turn to stand down and go onto the bench as Olly Cook and Stephen Hare stepped in the start in an unchanged squad. The pitch was in superb condition as Heath kicked off, playing into a coastal wind and Bridlington immediately kicked the ball straight back but full back Cameron Ramsden was in position to deal with the threat and clear the lines. Some robust tackling from Darren Neilly, Stephen Hare and Alex Cust kept the home side at bay, as Heath came to terms with the conditions, but on 5 minutes it looked as if Brid had opened their account with a try but the effort was ruled out for a forward pass. Bridlington continued to press home the advantage but Heath began to win good lineout ball and were more than holding their own in the scrum. In a rare Heath attack Matthew Hallett was injured as he tried to release Ramsden and Rob Thackray entered the fray after 12 minutes. Chris Moore was next in action with a surging run before releasing Ian Downsborough and with Hare and Cust in support the home side were caught offside and Ezra Hinchliffe stepped up to score the points and Heath led 3- 0 after 15 minutes. The visitors were now putting together some good rugby and with Ryan Hunter winning line out ball, scrum half Dominic Walsh was able to bring centres Sam Pollard and Ewan Miller into the game to put more pressure on the Brid defence. Unable to cope with this, Brid gave away another penalty and Hinchliffe obliged 6- 0 after 28 minutes. With the home side struggling ill discipline was creeping in to Brid's game and after several warnings from the referee wing Regan Stirk was sin binned, leaving Heath playing against 14 men at the start of the second half. However, Brid had other ideas and were unlucky not to open their account after 46 minutes, when the referee disallowed a try after a charged down clearance. Heath fought back and on 49 minutes they were awarded a third penalty for Hinchliffe to increase the visitors lead to 9- 0. The hard working Hare was injured on 57 minutes and Hamish Pratt came on to try and steady the ship and to ensure Heath stayed on course for a fourth win, but Bridlington also sent on long serving player, coach James Muru, who had an immediate impact with his short passing game. Bridlington began to grow in confidence and on 68 minutes had a break. Matt Baxendale's pass to Ian Downsborough was intercepted by Regan Stirk and he set off for the line. A kick through saw Stirk and Hinchliffe chasing the ball but Stirk was first to it and scored a try, which was unconverted - but Bridlington were back in it 9- 5 with 10 minutes left on the clock. Pratt and Downsborough began to have some influence in steadying the game in favour of Heath and when the dangerous Stirk was bundled into touch on 76 minutes, as he went for the tryline, the Heath contingent of players and supporters sensed victory. The game finished in some what contentious fashion for the hosts, when the Brid' fullback tried to keep the ball in play when it was dead. The referee blew, and they vocally queried the decision. And so it was Heath who were celebrating, as they secured a well earned away victory, the fourth win on the trot, which meant they also overtook their hosts in the league. A well earned rest now before the visit of league leaders Dinnington on the 22nd March.