Talent carried through to an easy victory despite ..........

Having lost to Rochdale in January, Heath hoped to redress the balance. On paper, Heath’s misfortune during the last encounter allied to their recent form, offered them an odds on chance of doing so. A strong start from Heath saw them pushing into Rochdale’s half from the off. Good defence from Rochdale made them work though. Strong attacking drives from Man of the Match Matthew Wilkinson, Harry Hollingsworth, Jack Raby, Max Netherwood and Dom Ellam all helped keep the pressure on before Arron Kelly crossed. Trademark runs from Captain Jake Holmes’ placed them within striking distance of the line twice, only subsequent ball handling errors prevented the home side adding two further tries. Rochdale’s only points of the first half came mid-way through it with a converted try. Heath’s team work was called into question on a couple of occasions (more a series of individual efforts rather than flowing ball play), they still managed to keep the pressure on. Further tries followed. First Callum Harriott-Brown - can anyone catch him once he’s broken free? Ryley Cowgill, who carried the ball and several opponents across the line, and Dom Ellam, who, uncharacteristically, missed all his first half kicks. Still, the first half ended with 20-7 lead for his side. Rochdale picked their game up in the second half, marking their opponents much more effectively. Ten minutes in, they also scored first with another converted try. Something of a stalemate appeared to follow as the ball yo-yo’d into either half before Harriott-Brown did his thing once more. Ellam found his form again with the kick and effectively sealing the victor with it. It’s a backhanded compliment to Heath, but their talent actually carried through to an easy victory despite not playing their best Ruby.