Good game. Close result. But, unbeaten run ends.

Selection:

Johnson, Puttick, Heron, Ward, Downsborough, Dawes, Wilkinson, McLaughlin, Rowntree, Cole, Sunter, Brown, Bruce, Granger, Cadogen.
Subs: Shipman, Sharp & Greenwood.

Scorers:

Tries: Wilkinson, Rowntree & Puttick.
Cons: Cole (2).

Heath’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end against a well organised Moortown team.

After a solid start by both teams, the visitors opened the scoring with a simple penalty. The home side hit back and were unlucky with some baffling decisions going against them at the breakdown, as they looked like scoring. Matthew Wilkinson, George Heron, Brook Ward and man of the match Will McLaughlin to the fore in attack.

Richard Cole kicked deep into Moortown territory and, from a good driving maul, Wilkinson sniped over for a typical score, Cole converted. Heath were on top and from more sustained pressure, Max Rowntree charged down an attempted clearance before touching down. The visitors hit back and began to test Heath’s defence with their impressive backline. Firstly, the centre got free and scored before a flowing move from the kick off saw their winger race free to retake the lead. Heath were hanging on, with massive defence by Max Dawes, Rondene Johnson and Si Brown stopped any further scores.

Half time 12-17.

Heath knew they needed to up the energy levels and be more aggressive if they were to have any chance. Joe Shipman and Sam Sharp did just that, getting into the visitors in attack and defence. A few altercations later, Cole put in a cross-field kick to the returning Danny Greenwood, who kicked on, but the ball ran agonisingly dead. As Heath looked the more likely to score next, a loose ball and fumble in midfield saw Moortown’s winger released from half way to score.

Harry Granger, Eddie Sunter now operating at fullback organised and kicked well under pressure. Jack Bruce continued to try and break the defence in midfield, with Ian Downsborough and Mark Puttick using all their experience to pull the pack together to try and punch holes in the visitor's strong defence. Cole continued to kick deep into opposition territory and from close in, Brown went hard at the line, as he looked like he’d be held up, the pack wrestled him to the ground with Puttick emerging with ball, Cole converted.

With time ticking down, Heath battered the try line as it looked inevitable, they’d get the winning score. McLaughlin, Rowntree and finally Brown went agonisingly close but it wasn’t to be.

Full time 19-22.

Heath will now look forward to entertaining Old Brodleians next Saturday.  UTH👊