An outstanding effort by the ‘Heath 16’ . A great win.

Team: Puttick, Coates, Barnes, Sharp, Shipman (c), Dawes, Wilkinson, Ward, Birkett, Cartwright, Granger, Brown, Bruce, Powell, Cadogen.
Sub: Cole

Heath travelled to Ilkley in good shape after a great preseason. The home team competed in the league above last season and after a frantic start, it was obvious this was going to be a high quality, fast game. Both teams looked to play rugby and mixed good carries with fast ball to the backs. Pete Birkett travelled from Australia to get involved and showed his class throughout, supplying the backs with fast ball and tackling like an extra back row. Heath dominated with the ball and retained possession superbly. After sustained pressure, Martyn Barnes, Sam Sharp and Matthew Wilkinson made half breaks as the visitors camped in the home half. The excellent Eddie Cartwright was controlling the game, kicking well and organising the team. After a mistake in the home 22, Brook Ward picked and fed Birkett who beat his man to open the scoring, Cartwright converted superbly from the touchline. Centres, Si Brown and Jack Bruce made half breaks before combining with Brown crashing over for a deserved score. Captain Joe Shipman, Max Dawes and Mark Puttick put in some monstrous hits as the home team searched for their first points. Debutant, Luka Powell adapted well on the wing, carrying hard and coming infield to tackle and snuff out attacks. Heath defended their line brilliantly and saw out the half with no scores conceded. Half time 0-12.

Heath needed to tighten up their kick chase and organise the pods to reduce the chance of turnovers. Richard Cole replaced Brown and Ilkley went on the attack from the start. Heath continued where they’d left off, defending on their line and repelling attack after attack. The outstanding Andy Coates and Shipman forced errors and turnovers for Cole and Cartwright to clear the lines. This was the theme for the first twenty minutes of the half, with relieving runs from Phil Cadogen and Harry Granger. Bruce smashed their winger into touch before the home team prop saw red for throwing the ball at Puttick’s head. Brown returned for Cole before Barnes needed a deserved rest after a great stint. Ilkley eventually scored a converted try before Cartwright kicked a penalty from forty metres to extend the lead. Heath finished on top and the pack controlled the game as the referee blew for time. Full time 7-15.

This was an outstanding effort by the ‘Heath 16’ who deserved the win. Every player put their body on the line and should be extremely proud of their efforts. Heath travel to Yarnbury next week confident of building on their first win. UTH 👊