Selection:
15 Eddie Cartwright 14 Elliott Spiers 13 Joe Morrison 12 Sam Fletcher 11 Callum Harriott-Brown 10 Chris Johnson 9 Dom Walsh 1 Paul Turner 2 Alex McFadden 3 Jack Pilcher 4 Matt Beasty 5 Seif Boussaada 6 Fergus Marsden 7 Jason Merrie 8 Ben Stringer 16 Tom Owen 17 Ian Downsborough 18 Chris Moore
Scorers:
Dom Walsh 3 tries Jason Merrie 3 Tries Elliott Spiers 2 tries Jack Pilcher, Sam Fletcher, Joe Morrison, Callum Harriott-Brown 1 try Chris Johnson 8 cons Eddie Cartwright 2 cons
Report:
Heath welcomed back Jason Merrie, who had recovered from a hand injury, and there was a starting berth for Jack Pilcher as coach Harry made changes for the visit to bottom club West Bridgford.
Eddie Cartwright made had a first start of the season at full back and Sam Fletcher was at centre with Tom Owen and Chris Moore taking a turn on the bench alongside the evergreen Ian Downsborough.
In sunny conditions Heath kicked off deep into the Bridgford half and were quickly on the front foot pressing for an opening score. From a line out, Fergus Marsden collected and as the pack drove towards the line, Jack Pilcher powered over for a try, converted by Chris Johnson, to open the scoring 7-0 with only 5 minutes played. Heath continued to press, winning line out ball and controlling the scrums, and after a period of sustained possession they pulled the home sides defence to shreds and Sam Fletcher ran in a second try on 9 minutes, converted by Johnson 14-0.
West Bridgford were at sixes and sevens as they tried in vain to stem the flow and were rewarded with a penalty on 15 minutes 14-3. However, Heath were in no mood to relax and came back with Joe Morrison making solid yardage, backed up by Alex McFadden and Jack Pilcher, but it was the home side who scored next with another penalty conversion on 25 minutes 14-6. In the build up to the penalty Seif Boussaada left the field with a cut and was replaced by Ian Downsborough. Heath responded with another attack and from a jinking run from Callum Harriott-Brown, the wingman slipped the ball to the supporting Joe Morrison who went over for a try, again converted by Johnson, 21-6.
There was a period of even play as both sides adjusted to the pace of the game but when Sam Fletcher collected the ball on the half-way line he breezed through several attempted tackles before slipping the ball to a supporting Morrison and Elliott Spiers was on hand to round off a great move with the bonus point fourth try, again converted by Johnson, 28-6 with 30 minutes on the clock.
Heath were in control and playing some delightful rugby and when they were awarded a penalty, as the home side struggled, a clever quickly taken kick from Dom Walsh saw him release Ben Stringer who drove towards the line. He was supported by the hard working Ian Downsborough who released the ball along the back line before Jason Merrie finished off the move with a try, again converted by Johnson, and a half time score of 35-6 was richly deserved.
Tom Owen came on for Sam Fletcher, as the second half began and Heath continued in the same fashion - when Fergus Marsden scooped the ball up one handed he stormed towards the try line. Interchange between Walsh and Pilcher saw Walsh runover for a try, converted again by Chris Johnson and Heath were back in the scoring groove, 42-6 with 45 minutes played.
Much to their credit, a rather battered and bruised West Bridgford mounted a short recovery following a yellow card for Tom Owen. With Heath down to fourteen the home side scored two quick tries as Heath seemed to switch off and on 55 minutes the score was 42-18. It had been a woeful 10 minutes for Heath but they quickly re-grouped and, from a line out in the home sides 22, Heath were quick to get the ball out along the line and Callum Harriott-Brown was on hand to round off a superb move with another converted try on the hour mark, 49-18. From the re-start Heath mounted another attack and following good work from Marsden, Stringer and Saif Boussadda, Jason Merrie was on hand to score a try, 54-18.
From the restart Tom Owen collected the ball and released Harriott-Brown who once again mesmerised the home defence before releasing the supporting Dom Walsh who scored yet another converted try 61-18. This five minute period left Bridgford players injured all over the pitch as Heath continued to batter their defence and as the players were swopped and changed, the game became dis-jointed with Heath missing several opportunities to add to their score. However, on 75 minutes Elliott Spiers was on hand to score a tenth try, this time converted by Eddie Cartwright 68-18.
Much to West Bridgford's credit, they kept persevering and were rewarded with a converted try on 78 minutes, 68-25, but Heath were relentless and with the added extra time, due to the number of injuries, Dom Walsh and Jason Merrie recorded their hat trick tries for a final score 80-25.
The win sees Heath sit proudly at the top of the table with 24 points after five rounds level on points with Driffield but with a far superior points difference. The league takes a break before the next round of matches which re-starts on October 15th when Heath entertain York. After that its games against clubs in the top half of the league which will be yet another challenge for the boys in Claret and Emerald.
League Results this weekend: here
League Table after Sat's games: here
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