Outstanding Victory against one of toughest Teams in League

Robinson, T.Hinchliffe, Greenwood, Hallett, Bruce, Malik, Reynolds, Heron, Puttick, Dance, Milner, James, Ward, Wilkinson, Shipman.
Subs: Whitworth, Downsborough, & R.Cole.

Heath entered the game ready for a battle against one of only two teams to beat them so far this season. They couldn't have made a better start, controlling possession with a combination of forwards and backs, eventually Joe Shipman called for the ball on the blindside and dived over in the corner. Scrum half Michael Reynolds converted superbly from the touchline. Heath failed to catch the kick off and had to defend for a long period of time.  Wharfedale threw everything at the home team, Junaid Malik and Matthew Hallett putting in some monstrous hits. Just as it looked like the defence would be breached Jack Bruce intercepted the pass and raced 80 metres to score, Reynolds converted. Wharfedale came straight back and pressurised the defence, Mark Puttick and Matthew Wilkinson tackled and turned over ball, with the latter relieving pressure with long breaks. The away team were finding space out wide stretching the defence, Danny Greenwood and captain Tobias Hinchliffe scrambling to stop the impressive left winger. However, he eventually found enough space to score an unconverted try. Heath replied with some strong carries by Adam Milner and George Heron, with the returning Chris Robinson and Bruce cutting through, only stopped by some last ditch defending. Greenwood was put clear by Hallett before the ball found Reynolds who held off the winger and squeezed in at the corner for an unconverted try. James Whitworth replaced Richard Dance, with the pack on top, Emlyn James carried strongly and a couple of penalties later, Reynolds kicked the simple penalty for a well deserved 22-5 half time lead.

Ian Downsborough replaced the hard working Brook Ward. Wharfedale came out strongly, using their powerful forwards and direct centres to punch holes in the heath defence. Both Puttick and Heron picked up injuries and it was game on when the away side scored two quickfire tries to get within 3 points, with 20 minutes remaining. Heath had other ideas and continued to defend superbly lead by Hallett and man of the match Wilkinson. From a Heath penalty, Reynolds kicked into the corner and from the catch and drive Puttick grounded the ball to restore the two score advantage, with Reynolds landing the difficult conversion. From the restart Hallett broke free and the ball was recycled for Malik to find Greenwood on a superb line to crash through and over two defenders. The conversion was missed as Milner and Puttick left the field with James and Richard Cole entering the field for the final ten minutes. Heath saw out the game with Cole and Reynolds clearing long and relieving pressure.

This was another outstanding victory against one of the strongest teams we face. Well done to all the lads involved and thanks to the lads who played for the victorious third team.

Tries: Shipman, Bruce, Reynolds, Puttick, & Greenwood.
Conversions: Reynolds (3)
Penalty: Reynolds