A Strong Team Brings a Win.

Scorers:
Tries: Cooke, Raby, Bruce, & Brown.
Cons: Gianotti (3)

Selection:
Cooke, Puttick, Whitworth, James, Downsborough, Barnes, Raby, Ward, Rowntree, Scrimshaw, Hinchliffe, Brown, Bruce, Sunter, Gianotti.
Subs: Bryan, Sharp, Burbidge, R.Cole.

Report:

Heath travelled to Morley with a strong squad to face a quality home side.

In an even first half, Heath worked hard against the elements to get into the game. Jack Raby, Oliver Cooke and Martyn Barnes carried well and punched holes in the defence. Olly Scrimshaw and Si Brown were combining and organising well, to get the visitors on the front foot. Both wingers went close to opening the scoring, Tobias Hinchliffe bundled into to touch and debutant Eddie Sunter only halted by a last-ditch tackle.

The forwards were setting a formidable platform lead by Mark Puttick and Ian Downsborough, using all their experience to get the team moving forward. After impressive stints, Emlyn James and James Whitworth rotated with Sam Sharp and Silla Bryan, both continued the good work in attack and defence. The deadlock was finally broken when Cooke hit a great line to score from 20 metres out, Ben Gianotti converted. Shortly after scoring Cooke came off with an arm injury to be replaced by Oli Burbidge. Heath continued to pressure the line but no more scores were added. Half time 0-7.

With the wind at their backs, Heath needed to play in the right areas, Barnes was replaced by Whitworth. Early in the second half Heath kicked long, after some confusion and a poor clearance kick, Raby caught the ball and crashed over from close range for a converted try. Sharp carried well from the restart, continued on well by Burbidge to set up the next attack. From a massive clearance kick by Cooke, the fullback fumbled to gift Heath an attacking scrum. Heath attacked well on the short side with impressive hands feeding Jack Bruce for the try of the game. After more pressure the impressive Brown scattered defenders from a crash ball to register the visitors fourth try, Gianotti converted.

Max Rowntree continues to impress, linking the forwards and backs, making important defensive hits alongside his sniping runs. Barnes returned for Brown and James replaced Downsborough after his impressive stint. Morley continued to probe and had their best spell at the end of the game, registering three tries to close the gap. Full time 19-26.

This was an impressive victory against a strong home side who never gave in. Heath’s defence and resilience alongside their obvious quality registered a great win. Special mention to man of the match Silla Bryan who improves weekly and is developing into a real asset in the front row. This was the best team performance of the season, a great game before next week's derby game in Copley. UTH