Poor conditions but still a fine win.

T.Hinchliffe, Saltonstall, Greenwood, Malik, Bruce, Brook, Reynolds, Morley, Puttick, Whitworth, Heron, Ward, Dawes, Wilkinson, Barnes.
Burbidge, Thornton, Cockroft, Syme, & R.Cole.

On a damp and gloomy afternoon Heath 2's arrived in Copley with a strong side looking to beat their local rivals.

The visiting team started the stronger, with the impressive Michael Reynolds controlling the forwards and releasing the backs. Heath played the first quarter of the game in the home team's half but couldn't a find a way through. The ever improving George Heron, Mark Puttick, and Matthew Wilkinson all made half breaks from a number of strong drives. Winger Jack Bruce unlucky not to score on a number of occasions as he was caught by last ditch tackles. Rishies dangerous full back fielded a loose kick and surged through into the Heath half, this inspired the home team who kept possession well and put pressure on Heath. This resulted in two quick fire tries from their powerful centres, with one converted - suddenly Heath were 12-0 down.

Puttick shot across to smash their winger into touch and stop another certain try. Debutant Aaron Brook kicked well and linked well with Junaid Malik and Danny Greenwood, the latter excellent all game with some superb lines of running causing all sorts of problems. The Heath scrum was now dominant and the referee struggled to officiate the fastly retreating set piece much to the puzzled away pack. Oli Burbidge replaced James Whitworth with 10 minutes left before half time. After another strong scrum, Greenwood broke 30 metres and was caught just short of the line with skipper Tobias Hinchliffe on hand to pick and score next to the posts, Brook converted. Heath finished the half on top and pushed to add to their tally with the referees whistle for half time - 12-7.

Debutant Jordan Syme replaced Malik and Tom Cockroft came on for Hinchliffe. Heath continued to search for more points and dominated the opening exchanges of the half. Camped in the more pressure lead to a penalty, confidently kicked by Brook to reduce the arrears. Strong defence by Brook Ward, Martin Barnes, Max Dawes and Craig Morley kept Heath on the front foot. Reynolds kicked sensibly and the forward dominance was creating space. Jack Thornton and Richard Cole replaced Bruce and Brook with half an hour to go. Rishies number 8 was sin binned and from a 5 metre scrum Barnes controlled and scored the try, converted by Cole. Syme and Greenwood ran hard and both half backs kicked into dangerous positions.

Another indiscretion lead to a penalty which was kicked by Cole for an 8 point lead. Luke Saltonstall chased kicks well and pressured their back three, keeping the pressure on till the end. Morley justified his man of the match performance when he grabbed their free flowing full back in full flight. Heath saw out the game as a frustrated home side were penalised on a number of occasions.

This was a superb display from the entire squad and a fully deserved win.