Missed chances and letting Rishes off the hook ultimately cost us the game

Selection:

Kerr, Puttick, Heron, James, Haigh, Shipman, Wilkinson, Ward, R.Cole, Scrimshaw, Hinchliffe, Greenwood, Storey, Sharp, Gianotti.
Subs: Dawes, Griffiths, & Traviss.

Scorers:

Tries: Wilkinson & Penalty Try.

Report:

Heath hosted their local rivals from down the canal, playing in great conditions.

The visitors had the early pressure and it was obvious they would use their number 8 and 12 to bust holes in the Heath defence. The home side defended their line well and cleared after great turnovers by Brook Ward and Matthew Wilkinson. Heath dominated the middle part of the half, but were unable to get the points. Emlyn James, George Heron, and Paddy Kerr all went close near the line. Eventually, from a dominant scrum, Ward drove hard to the line and Wilkinson snapped up the ball to score an unconverted try. As Heath looked to add to their tally, Rishies broke from deep, with Olly Scrimshaw sin binned for a professional foul. The visitors pushed hard and eventually crashed over through their impressive number 8 for a converted try. Sam Sharp made a good break up the touch line but Heath couldn’t add to their tally.

Half time 5-7.

Heath started the half well, Danny Greenwood leading the charge in the backs and Carter Haigh carrying aggressively up front. Richard Cole had the chance take the lead from a relatively easy penalty but he pulled it wide. Rishies attacked from deep and their centre finished confidently from halfway. Disaster struck straight away when the kick off didn’t go ten metres, Heath stood and watched as the visitors snapped up the ball and charged for the line. Eventually scoring their second converted try in as many minutes.

Undeterred, the home side came back strongly, Owain Griffiths was a revelation in the forwards, adding power and aggression up front. Max Dawes and Joe Shipman worked overtime in defence. When Jacob Storey kicked a perfect 50/22 Heath drove hard at the line but couldn’t find a way over, the visitors defending well. Kerr, Mark Puttick and Heron went close till eventually James went hard at the line, only stopped by a shoulder charge, penalty try awarded. With time running out, Shipman was sin binned for a dubious high tackle and Heath couldn’t find a way over.

Full time 12-21.

This was a great contest between two strong teams. Missed chances and letting the visitors off the hook ultimately lost us the game. Heath know where they need to improve and will work hard on this for the next game.