Heath back to winning ways

Autumn was in the air when Heath took to the field at Acklam, who started the match one place above Heath at the foot of the table. The visitors had a much-changed back division with wingmen Callum Harriet-Brown and Si Brown returning and positional changes for Ezra Hinchliffe (Centre to Flyhalf), Cameron Ramsden (Fullback to Centre) and Jordan Bradbrook (Flyhalf to Fullback). Louis Barrett took his turn to start on the bench. In the forwards, Ryan Hunter stepped up to replace Matt Beasty (injured) and flankers Dom Horn and Howard Hanks took over from Ian Downsborough and Josh White (both recovering from broken bones). Paddy Kerr and Ben Maxwell were forward replacements. As well as coping with enforced changes the Heath coach was actively seeking to find winning combinations from his injury-plagued squad. For much of the first half, Acklam dominated the proceedings. Heath were spared at least four try-scoring opportunities when the hosts lost possession at the last hurdle. In the first five minutes, the home wingman Chris Mallan made a brilliant 60 metres run before finally being tackled 3 metres short of the try line. Next, Acklam put a penalty into the corner but then knocked on. From the scrum, Ramsden made a break and Hinchliffe and Bradbrook took the movement forward but a penalty was awarded against them for not releasing the ball at the tackle. At least Heath’s backs were showing signs of being able to combine in attack. Not so in defence, when poor tackling allowed Acklam through – only for the final pass to be knocked on. Walsh made a break but was penalized for holding on and Heath were driven back to within 10 metres of their own line. Acklam centre Ricky Scott was next to make a clean break but again the final pass was knocked on and Harriet-Brown managed a 30 metres sprint out of trouble, on 20 mins. A great tackle by Jack Sheldrake halted Acklam’s next attack but Harriet-Brown was left very exposed when he tried to run the ball out of defence. Acklam got the ball on the visitors’ 22m line, rumbling forward. When the pass went out, Sheldrake intercepted but was adjudged offside. The penalty was missed. The home team had enjoyed about 75% of the possession so far but when they were offside after 30 mins, Hinchliffe found touch near the Acklam 22m. Fergus Marsden made a clean catch in the lineout and eventually Acklam conceded a penalty. A scrum followed and Heath brought Harriet-Brown into the line with a set move but Acklam intercepted, only to knock on. Hinchliffe then kicked a penalty from in front of the posts to put Heath ahead: 0 – 3 on 33 mins. Acklam came straight back with another interception by centre Ricky Scott but he lost the ball with only one man to beat. Acklam were penalized and marched back a further 10 metres for dissent. Hinchliffe’s kick put Heath back into their opponents’ half. Another Acklam interception spoilt Heath’s efforts but Sheldrake then returned the compliment and he combined with Ramsden to make ground. Howard Hanks broke from a scrum and made progress before losing the ball, leaving Bradbrook a clearance job. Again this week, Heath’s fragile defence was being exposed and Acklam found many gaps but their final moves always failed. However, Heath were making more effort, controlling the scrum and winning lineout ball. When half time came, they were glad to turn round and have the wind behind them. After the re-start, Heath’s Dominic Horn was penalized for a tackle on Sudron but 5 minutes later Heath were awarded a penalty at a scrum on the Acklam 22 and Hinchliffe made no mistake to put Heath 0 – 6 ahead. Acklam’s fullback left the field, injured. 0n 52 mins, Hinchliffe succeeded with another pot at goal when Acklam prevented Heath from playing the ball: 0 – 9. Heath were beginning to look more confident. Fresh legs were sent on, in the form of Maxwell for Hunter and Barrett for Ramsden. The pack were getting the better of Acklam now and winning more possession. When the Acklam prop dropped the scrum, from the penalty Heath found touch. They then worked the ball across through Brown, Horn and Piper drives before releasing the ball to their backs. The ball went loose but then Acklam knocked on and from the scrum the Heath back line functioned perfectly. The ball passed swiftly out to their strike-weapon, Harriet-Brown. He showed a clean pair of heels, touching down near the corner-flag. After a superb conversion from Hinchliffe, Heath led 0 – 16 on 61 mins and they began to believe in themselves. Confidence flowed through the backs with splendid running and passing from Sheldrake, Hinchliffe, Barrett and Bradbrook to create another chance for Harriet-Brown, but the final pass eluded him. Acklam fought back but they were caught killing the ball and Heath returned to the home sides’ 22. Heath were now playing with purpose and tactical nous. It was easy to distinguish backs from forwards. Si Brown was unlucky not to score from a well-directed cross-kick. On 71 mins, Dom Walsh was injured from a late tackle and was perhaps unwise to stay on the field as Acklam took advantage of his weakness with Sudron rounding him for Acklam’s first try: 5 – 16 on 74 mins. It produced an immediate response with Marsden and Sheldrake bursting through to set up a try for Barrett. He showed his experience by grounding the ball behind the posts to make Hinchliffe’s conversion easy: 5 – 23 on 77 mins. Walsh left the field and Hinchliffe moved to scrum half, Bradbrook to fly-half and Ramsden to fullback. Kerr also came on for Piper. This game was still not done. When Acklam went offside, Chris Moore took a quick tap penalty to himself and crabbed across the field. Acklam were penalized again and Heath found touch 20 metres out. Then, Hinchliffe was sin-binned for making a tackle before retreating the full 10 metres at an Acklam tap- penalty. A Heath attempt to tackle high failed and the Acklam fly-half, Daniel Ashton, waltzed through to score a try under the posts. He converted it for the final score: 12 – 23 after a 46- minute second half. No doubt Acklam would feel this was a game they should have won, just as Heath had against Bridlington and Yarnbury. However, in spite of an addition to the injury list, there were some very positive signs on display today for Heath. They can now look forward to tackling Bradford Salem, one point above them in the table, at West Vale next week.