HEATH WIN AT A CANTER

Heath returned to league action, after an enforced break due to weather and the festive period, and put in a clinical display to gain an easy victory over lowly Hullensians and in so doing kept the pressure on the top two places currently occupied by York and Scarborough.

Richard Brown was the only player still to recover from injury as coach Dave Harrison selected a strong squad and they quickly got into their stride with a try in the first minute when, from the kick off, Hulllensians failed to clear and Ian Downsborough robbed the ball. His pass to Eddie Cartwright saw the full back release a slick pass to the on-rushing Jordan Bradbrook who went in under the posts and with Ezra  Hinchliffe adding the extras, Heath led 7-0.

The visitors were struggling to adjust to the speed of the game and Callum Harriett-Browns scintillating pace caused havoc amongst their defence as clever kicks from Peter Birkett and Hinchliffe opened up the visitors defensive gaps. After another onslaught, Heaths pack were in control at a scum 20 metres from the visitors try-line and Birkett was quick to use the  blind side and release Harriett-Brown for a second try on 8 minutes and Heath led 14-0. There was no stopping Heath now as they battered the Hullensians defence and when Bradbrook ran fully 50 metres to score Heath's third try on 16 minutes the missed conversion seemed to go unnoticed as a score of 19-0 with less than a quarter of the game played pleased the home crowd who wanted more of  the same.

To Hullensians credit they kept going forwards and were rewarded with a try but Heath's response was immediate. Matt Beasty won line out ball and fed Ian Downsborough who drove forwards. The ball came out to Jack Crabtree whose quick pass to Jordan Bradbrook saw the centre link up with the supporting Ezra Hinchliffe and Heath's super try clinched a bonus point with 25 minutes on the clock. Hichliffe added the extras and Heath were cruising 26-5. The game was fast and open as Olly Cook entered the field with Chris Piper taking a stint on the bench. Half time came with Heath well in control.

Sam Pollard came on for Eddie Cartwright at the start of the second half and he  was quickly into the action as Heath went looking for further scores. The home crowd were rewarded on 45 minutes when a superb break from centre Ezra Hinchliffe saw him release the ball to the supporting Jordan Bradbrook and he scored his hat trick try bt was injured as he touched down and was replaced by Cartwright. A score of 33-5 to Heath with 45 minutes gone. Heath continued to work hard with Dave Skinner, Alex Mc Fadden, Chris Moore and Seiffe Boussaada putting in spud shifting stints as Heath continued to drive forwards but it was Hullensians who broke the deadlock with a breakaway try and, despite the efforts of Sam Pollard, they managed a try in the corner for a score of 33-10 with 55 minutes on the clock.

Pollard was injured in his efforts to prevent a score and Bradbrook returned to the fray. This score spurred Heath back into action and a drive for the line saw Chris Moore pop up with the ball for a try on the hour mark, 38-10. Heath were now in full control and Callum Harriett-Brown rounded off a superb move as he ran fully 60 metres evading several tackles before passing the ball to the supporting Peter Birkett who scored Heaths seventh try in the corner and a score of 43-10 with 15 minutes remaining.

However, Hullensians kept fighting back and a third unconverted try on 73 minutes set up a tense finish as they went looking for a bonus point fourth try. There were a number of enforced inter-changes to the Heath team in the remaining minutes and the sin-binning of Jack Crabtree did not help, but the home side managed to see out the game and secure five points to keep the pressure on the top two.

This was a clinical performance from the Heath boys but they have several injuries which will need attention before they travel to Leeds to take on Moortown next week.