Game of two halves.

Heath Firsts and their supporters travelled to Pocklington in the hope that a fitting end could be made to their most successful season ever in Yorkshire 2. If they won, they would be promoted to Yorkshire 1. The weather was clear and bright, though windy, and the pitch was firm. So expectations were high. Sadly, it wasn’t to be and whilst things looked good at 10 all at half time, Pocklington had the better of the 2nd half and came away 25 – 16 victors. Pocklington kicked off with the wind to their backs and immediately put pressure on the visitors. Heath conceded an early penalty, which came back off the posts but was collected and made safe via an athletic dive from hooker Oliver Wilby. However, the pressure remained and a try was then only stopped following a “body on line” tackle from backrower Eddie Blackmore. Whilst Heath were holding their own up front, it wasn’t until 15 minutes of play had gone, that they moved into the home side’s half, following a well weighted return kick from winger Gleeson. Good scrimmaging from the forwards put Heath on the front foot in Pocklington’s 22 and then the ball was spun wide for fullback Hetherington to slice through and score on their first concerted attack. Unfortunately, the conversion attempt bounced back off the crossbar, but Heath were 5 – 0 up. Pocklington came back from the kick off and were pressing hard when they dropped the ball in contact. Hetherington hacked on and winger Fermoyle collected well, then sped off towards the home side’s try line, evading would be tacklers as he went. This pace and adventure bode well and buoyed up the loyal band of travelling supporters – who were then astonished to see the referee call play back and award Pocklington a penalty for offside. From the resulting line, the home side won good ball and released their centre to score under the posts, for a converted try. Instead of being 10 or 12 up, Heath were now trailing narrowly, 7 – 5. The next play saw Heath take a ball against the head in the scrum. It worked its way to Fermoyle who chipped through for no. 8 Downsborough to collect and run 20 metres to score. Unfortunately, the extra 2 points were missed as Heath moved back in front 10 - 7. Pocklington then struck back via a long-range penalty, to bring the score to 10 a piece at half time. In the break Blackmore retired injured, being replaced by James Wheelwright. Virtually from the start the home side picked up another penalty and from the line out drove to the line, then spun the ball out wide for their winger to score an unconverted try. Heath looked a little shaken by this and Pocklington continued with their driving game, picking up 3 points from a penalty in front of the posts. The score was now 18 – 10 and Heath would have to work hard to pick up a couple of scores. This they started to do, missing one penalty chance but taking 3 points from the next after 10 minutes. More pressure from Heath saw Pocklington on the back foot and giving away another 3 points from an infringement. The score moved on to 18 – 16. Defence was the order of the day after that; with centre Chris Merrick putting in some big hits, but unfortunately, Heath were then reduced to 14 men when Fermoyle was sin binned (possibly for a high tackle, though unclear). Pocklington took advantage of numbers and another penalty line out drive, saw the their centre again cut through to score a converted try. 25 – 16 and back to two scores difference. Heath’s secondrow Mike Lamas then withdrew through a shoulder injury and was replaced by Dave Freeman. Points from a penalty to Heath weren’t collected as they stepped up their game to try and get the scores needed. A lot of pressure and several plays saw them take attacks to the Pocklington line only for the ball to go to ground or position be wasted at the last minute. Then it was Pocklington who collected the last penalty of the game and put the ball to touch, for the whistle to bring an end to proceedings. A disappointing result for Heath, but the other scores in the League now mean that all hinges on the final game of the season – home to North Ribblesdale. Heath now need to pick themselves up for next week’s home game against Pontefract, in the Yorkshire Shield semi final. The visitors are currently riding high in Yorkshire 1, but the West Vale men have already “turned over” Keighley and the Brods from that League and are up for a hatrick of results!