Another Top Performance!

Heath 2's 38-17 Halifax RUFC

James, Barnes, Morley, Marsden, Fairbank, Dawes, Wilkinson, Ward, Reynolds, R.Cole, Griffiths, Hallett, Bruce, T.Hinchliffe, Robinson.
Subs: J.Raby & Bolger.

Tries: Ward (2), Raby, Dawes, Hallett, & Bruce.
Cons: Cole (4)

Heath kicked off on a bright, crisp afternoon looking to record their second local derby win in as many weeks. The home side started brightly but had to defend the early parts of the game, the returning Fergus Marsden and busy Max Dawes putting in some crucial tackles. Heath gained some sustained possession, with good hands on half way putting man of the match Chris Robinson clear, he looked a certain scorer, however, Halifax scrambled back to deny him inches short. Not to be denied Heath recycled well and Michael Reynolds found Brook Ward who arched round the defender to score, Richard Cole converted. Halifax came back strongly to test Heath's defence, Matthew Wilkinson, Martyn Barnes, Craig Morley and Ben Fairbank all putting in some big hits up front. Reynolds and Cole were kicking well to relieve pressure and the ever improving Owain Griffiths denied a certain try with a great cover tackle. Heath's centre partnership  Matthew Hallett and Jack Bruce were pressurising the visitors into mistakes and pushing them back. On one such occasion Fax dropped the ball under pressure thirty metres from Heath's line, Bruce fly hacked the ball twice down the field, outpacing the cover and controlling the bobbling ball to score a converted try. Emlyn James was again superb at collecting kick offs and at one point a towering bomb before setting up attacks. For the last fifteen minutes of the half Heath were under pressure, on the end of some dubious decisions that seemed to need explaining which broke up the flow of the game. Hallett was dispatched to the sin bin for a high tackle and on the stroke of half time Fax's winger scored an unconverted try in the corner. Half time 14-5. Jack Raby replaced Morley.

Heath started strongly in the second half, Reynolds and Cole's kicking kept the visitors at bay for long periods. Debutant Mark Bolger replaced James. From towering box kicks Halifax were struggling to control the ball. Strong chasing and pressure from the backs almost yielded trys for skipper Tobias Hinchliffe and Bruce. On one such occasion the attack was continued and Ward found himself clear to score his second, Cole hit the post with the difficult conversion attempt. Wilkinson made a couple of long, trademark breaks and Heath were on top. Reynolds spotted space behind the defence and kicked for Hallett who collected on the bounce to score the next unconverted try. The next try started ten metres from the home sides line. Reynolds calling for a short kick through from Cole, Reynolds caught the ball cleanly and broke to half way before Raby sped away to score a superb try, Cole converted. The game became scrappy as the referee penalised Heath, Hallett was binned again much to the amusement of the actual offender Reynolds. Halifax scored a controversial try under the posts. Heath responded strongly, Robinson, Griffiths, and Bruce all making long breaks. From a penalty thirty metres out, Reynolds tapped and turned in contact to find Dawes who scampered over, much to the delight of the crowd, Cole converted. Halifax scored the final try in the corner to complete the game.

This was another top performance against the Yorkshire Four outfit who tested our defence all game. It's a credit to the club with three teams and three wins. Well done to everyone involved 😉