Their Time Will Come!

Heath welcomed the return of Luke Saltonstall (Wing) and Eddie Cartwright (Fly Half) to first team duty. On the bench were Olly Cook, Alex McFadden and Cameron Ramsden. It is some years since Heath played at Beverley, with some home spectators unaware that Heath was one of several Halifax clubs. The visitors got off to the worst possible start when their attack broke down and Beverley pounced on a loose ball and ran it three quarters of the length of the field to score under the posts: 7 – 0 after 2 mins! Two minutes later, Jordan Bradbrook saved a certain try when Beverley broke again. The signs were ominous but Heath were awarded a penalty and were able to clear their lines. Matt Beasty won lineout ball and good work from the pack enabled Ezra Hinchliffe to kick for position – touch on the Beverley 22 metre line 5 minutes into the game. The Heath pack was in complete control with No.8 Richard Brown close to scoring a try and a Beverley prop getting sin-binned. Chris Moore was next to be held, just short of a try, as the hosts tackled brilliantly under the severe pressure. On 15 mins, Hinchliffe converted a penalty to reduce the deficit: 7 – 3. From the re-start, Brown and scrum half Dom Walsh linked well to set up Heath’s next attack. However, Beverley were showing how to make a break and on 28 mins, after one incisive break the home side scored a second try. The conversion hit the post: 12 – 3. Moore was sin-binned. Then Beverley gave away a penalty and Hinchliffe converted to keep Heath in the game: 12 – 6 on 30 mins. Cook came on for Ben Maxwell as Beverley increased the pressure and Beasty was next to the sin-bin on 35 mins. With Heath down to 13 men, Beverley moved the ball from side to side and eventually scored their 3rd try, underneath the posts: 19 – 6. Moore and Maxwell went back on and Cooke came off. Heath were back to 14 men but finding Beverley’s back line difficult to cope with. After half time, Cook went on for Chris Piper. Beverley went straight on the attack but great work from Maxwell prevented a certain try and Heath cleared their line on 43 mins. Four minutes later, Cartwright limped off. Hinchliffe moved to fly half and Ramsden took the centre position. Heath defended well and cleared positively. On 52 mins, Baxter went off and McFadden came on. A period of even play followed, but Cook suffered an injury in the scrum and Piper had to return to the action. Hinchliffe missed a penalty with Heath pushing and putting Beverly under a lot of pressure. Moore worked hard for Jack Sheldrake, Alf Blackhall and Maxwell to link and create a chance for Heath. The visitors continued to press and look for an opening. Moore took a knock so Baxter came back on. Heath were now beginning to over-power their hosts and they were striving for a try. Piper and Brown both charged the line before Piper was injured on 65 mins and Moore came back on. Heath had a scrum 5 metres out, in front of the posts but it came to nothing and Beverley found touch. This was proving to be a very physical game. Constant drives from Heath did not pay dividends as Beverley continued to tackle. Brown and Baxter charged again. A kick from Ramsden put the ball in touch with Brad brook in pursuit. With only a few minutes remaining, Hinchliffe shot through a gap to score a well-deserved try under the posts. With his conversion the score was 19 – 13, snatching a bonus point for Heath. In the second half, Heath had the vast majority of possession with Beverley rarely in the visitors’ half of the field. It was very frustrating that they were unable to pull off a win. The early defensive lapses and inability to convert forward dominance into points ultimately cost them, in spite of having gained the upper hand in the final quarter. Their time will come!