Entertaining game but a rare loss.

Heath 2's 31-33 Yarnbury

Heron, Whitworth, Morley, Milner, James, Dawes, Ward, Shipman, Reynolds, R.Cole, T.Hinchliffe, Bruce, Greenwood, Griffiths, Cockroft.
Subs: Barnes, Fairbank, Dance & Burbidge.

Tries: Greenwood (2), T.Hinchliffe, Bruce, & Cockroft.
Cons: R.Cole (3).

Heath entertained third place and in form Yarnbury. The home side started well and were pushing from the start to open their account. Backrowers Joe Shipman, Max Dawes and Brook Ward defended superbly and carried hard. From a scrum on half way Shipman fed Michael Reynolds who got on the outside of the flanker before putting Tom Cockroft clear. He kept his composure to draw the final defender and send the supporting Tobias Hinchliffe over the line, Richard Cole struck the post with his conversion attempt. The impressive Danny Greenwood should have scored next but he couldn't ground the ball as he was held up by the defender. Cole sent Jack Bruce clean through and he sent Greenwood in for a converted try. Heath should have added to their tally but dropped passes and missed opportunities would hurt them later in the game. Yarnbury scored next through their large winger who held off the cover to score a converted try. Adam Milner and George Heron were carrying strongly and punching holes in the defence. Cole struck the post with a relatively easy penalty attempt, Ben Fairbank and Martyn Barnes replaced Milner and Dawes. Owain Griffiths made a couple of long breaks but injured himself in the process and was replaced by Oli Burbidge. Man of the match Reynolds made another break and Bruce was in support to score a converted try. Right on half time Emlyn James was penalised for holding on and as Heath switched off the visiting centre carved through for an impressive score. Half time 19-14, Richard Dance replaced Craig Morley.

Yarnbury scored first from a clean break for a converted try to take the lead for the first time. As Heath went in search of a score deep in the visitors half, an interception and some good interplay saw them sweep up field for an unconverted try in the corner. Undeterred Heath continued to play good rugby and made some telling breaks snd the catch and drive working well, controlled well by Shipman and James Whitworth. Emlyn James was a real handful all game and put in a great shift before being replaced by Milner, Dawes replaced Ward. Yarnbury put up a high kick, this was taken well and Reynolds found Bruce who fed Cockroft who held off the cover to score out wide. Coles frustration was clear as he struck the post for the third time. Barnes, Dance and Fairbank were at their destructive best both in attack and defence. Yarnbury opened up a 9 point lead with a converted try with fifteen minutes remaining. Burbidge was impressive as the stand in winger catching and returning kicks well and causing problems when in possession. Greenwood ran off Cole score near the posts to give the home side hope of winning the contest, Cole converted. With eight minutes remaining Yarnbury had a man sin binned, Heath pushed for the winning score but were penalised harshly at times and the visitors controlled possession to see out the game.

This was an entertaining game between two of the best teams in the league. Heath could have been more clinical at times and the width of a post denied them a victory. We'll regroup and come back stronger against Ripon next Saturday 😉💪