BACK TO WINNING WAYS

15 Eddie Cartwright  14 Si Brown  13 Ezra Huinchliffe  12 Willie Tufui  11 Callum Harriott-Brown  10 Dan Cole  9 Dom Walsh  1 Olly Cook  2 Alex McFadden  3 Paul Turner  4 Matt Beasty  5 Saif Boussaada  6 Dave Skinner  7 Jonny Cole  8 Alex Patrick  16 Chris Moore  17 Jordan Moana  18 Luke Saltonstall

Heath returned to winning ways with a clinical performance against Keighley scoring six tries in the game to gain maximum points and maintain top spot.

Coach Dave Harrison gave starting berths to Si Brown, Olly Cook and Dave Skinner as Luke Saltonstall, Chris Moore and Jordan Moana took a stint on the bench.

After torrential rain all week, thanks to the efforts of club members who had worked all morning to clear standing water in some areas, the pitch was passed playable but conditions would certainly play a part in the game as Heath kicked off. Keighley were immediately put under pressure and they  gave away a couple of penalties in their efforts to prevent Heath from scoring but following a quick tap penalty from Dom Walsh Alex Patrick and  the evergreen Si Brown linked well for Patrick to go over in the corner and Heath led 5-0 with 8 minutes played.

The visitors response was immediate and they seemed to have scored a try only for the referee to rule a player was offside and Heath were relieved. Heath went back on the attack as they used the back-line with clinical ease and Keighley were constantly penalised and the hosts were rewarded when Williie Tufui slipped a  pass to wing Callum Harriott-Brown for Heath's second try,10-0, with a quarter of the game played.

Heath were now controlling the game and, as Keighley had a player sin-binned, it came as no surprise to see captain Alex McFadden score a try from a scrum drive and then, following good work from Ezra Hinchliffe, Callum Harriott-Brown and the enduring Si Brown, Olly Cook was on hand to score the bonus point try and Heath were out of sight 22-0 with 30 minutes played.

Coach Harrison introduced Chris Moore and Jordan Moana for Cook and Patrick as the home side continued to batter into a struggling Keighley defence but there was no further score as half time arrived.

Heath went straight for the warmth of the changing rooms and emerged with a change of shirts to begin the second half and, as Keighley kicked deep, Jonny Cole took possession and stormed through in a strong run to set up the next attack. Unfortunately, on 50 minutes Paul Turner received a red card as the referee deemed a tackle high, so Heath were down to fourteen players. Olly Cook replaced the hard working Dave Skinner and with rain and sleet teeming down the game developed into a mid-field muddy battle. Luke Saltonstall replaced the perennial Si Brown as Keighley began to build on their player numbers' superiority but they could not find a way through a solid Heath defence. The home sides cause was not helped when Jordan Moana was sin-binned and Heath were down to thirteen with a quarter of the game to play.

The visitors continued to battle to find a way through the home defence and Keighley thought they had eventually scored but the try was ruled out for a forward pass. When Luke Saltonstall gathered the ball on the half way line his pass saw Dan Cole put in a superb kick through as he began a chase. The ball held up in the mud but Heath were now on the attack, after weathering the storm with only thirteen players on the field. Dave Skinner returned for Jonnny Cole and when Matt Beasty won the ball Olly Cook was on hand to score his second try and increase Heaths lead to 27-0 with 70 minutes played. Moana returned on the re-start and after receiving the ball he immediately went on a thirty metre run brushing aside attempted Keighley tackles before he off-loaded to Dan Cole and the supporting Eddie Cartwright, who scored a great try in the corner, converted by Ezra Hinchliffe and the scoring was complete, 34-0, with 72 minutes played.

Following a long stoppage for Saif Boussaada to receive treatment he was replaced by Alex Patrick with the amaranthine Si Brown returning as Dan Cole took a break.

Keighley were a spent force as the clocked ticked down and with the lights peering through the dark rain clouds Heath ended the year with yet another win.

The squad now have a break before returning in the New year with a tricky visit to Selby before the eagerly anticipated visit to North Dean from local rivals Old Brodleians. Cannot wait!!!!!!!