Double! Great performance. Good win, in a game full of drama.

In a game full of drama Heath managed to complete the double over local rivals Old Brodleians in a game which had the supporters on tenterhooks for the full game.

Heath arrived at Woodhead looking to rectify a below par performance the previous week when they lost at home to relegation threatened North Ribblesdale but coach Dave Harrison kept faith with the squad with the only change being enforced due to Tom Baxter being on duty with the North of England so Alex McFadden reverted to hooker with Olly Cook at seven whilst the bench saw Michael Reynolds and Mark Puttick alongside Jordan Moana.

In glorious conditions Heath kicked off playing down the slope and quickly got into their stride with some slick handling as they tested the home defence. However, with Brods first attack they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and they led 3-0 after 10 minutes against the run of play. Heath needed an immediate response and when Luke Saltonstall received the ball he set off on a run before being bundled into touch tem metres from the Brods try line. Next, James Robson and Eddie Cartwright linked well before being brought down just short but in the resulting play up popped Chris Moore to score a well deserved try, converted by Ezra Hinchliffe, and Heath led 7-3 after 15 minutes. Back came the home side with a sustained onslaught on the Heath defence and when Richard Brown was sin binned on 26 minutes Heath had no reply to Brods crashing over for a converted try to take the lead again 10-7. Heath were struggling to contain the Brods backs and with Brown still off the field Brods ran in a further two tries and a conversion to lead 22-7 as half time approached.

Undeterred, Heath continued to fight back and Saltonstall went close again and Jordan Moana, on for Ryan Hunter, also gained good yardage. Brown controlled the scrums and Brods had no answer and the referee had no option but to award a penalty try to Heath to reduce the arrears to 22-14 as half time came. Heath had managed to keep in the game but were now faced with playing up the slope in the second half.

Brods began the half as usual with a kicking game but it was Heath who began to take control. Dom Walsh linked well with Olly Cook, Matt Beasty, Jordan Bradbrook and Eddie Cartwrighht set up the next phase of play and with the home defence all over the place Ezra Hinchliffe slotted over a penalty chance on 44 minutes to pull the score back to 22-17. Heath continued to take the game to Brods and the home side did not like what was happening and had a player sin binned on 55 minutes.  It was Heath who now took control.

Jack Sheldrake was held up short of the try line, strong runs from Chris Moore and Ben Maxwell set up chances for Robson and Cartwright but the home defence stood firm, although rattled and tempers flared as Heath took control. On a rare attack from Brods a mistake from the backs saw Eddie Cartwright intercept a pass and head for the Brods try line 70 metres away. His run was halted 15metres short of the line but Ezra Hinchliffe was in support and waltzed over for a converted try and Heath led 24-22. 

Unfortunately in the build up to the interception try James Robson was left prone on the ground and the game was halted for the next fifty minutes as an Ambulance call was sent out. This was a similar situation to the Brods injury to Dom Georgiou in November and both physios lay with Robson keeping his head still to prevent any further damage to Robsons back. Much to the credit of all concerned the ambulance staff arrived treated and left with James stretched off to a round of applause from all and the game resumed on the hour mark.

The game was there for anyone to take and as Brods kicked downfield two hefty boots from Sheldrake and Bradbrook set up another Heath attack. Moore thought he had scored but the referee pulled play back for a double movement.  Heath continued to press and another superb run from Jack Sheldrake saw him held up short of the try line, before Dom Walsh in support released Mark Puttick and the old war horse pounced for a try, much to the delight of the Heath travelling supporters and utter dismay of the home sides supporters. The attempted conversion was just wide but Heath had pulled out a superb all round performance which the Brods could not come to terms with and had to settle for second best again.

Ian Rushworth, from the Hx Courier, came to the game.  Read his Report at http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/more-sport/robson-injury-mars-heath-win-1-8434468