The 3rds bright start to the year hit a roadblock on Saturday in the form of Wharfedale’s Green Machine. There were a number of key players unavailable but still a strong team was named on Tuesday. We then had the misfortune of losing key players as Mark Warrender was taken up to the 2s and Richard Simpson diagnosed with two fractured vertebrae. To further compound our problems there were several late cry offs, and so we headed into the Dales twelve strong men and true.
Even though we were shorthanded, true to form Wharfedale they lent us their three reserves so that the game could start with the teams both sporting the full compliment of players. Right from the off the writing was on the wall as the well organised Wharfedale pack dominated possession through a well organised lineout and scrum, complimented by a good ability to keep hold of possession in loose play.
Heath held strong in defence, and indeed defend is all they could do as Wharfedale kept the lions share of possession. At half time Heath were down by two trys and this was a credit to the defensive effort put in by the lads, with a notable feature being the prominence of the borrowed Wharfedale lads at the front line.
The game was played in a good spirit, but both sides were physically committed which lead to three players leaving the field with injuries, and a handful of walking wounded on either side. With fewer players on the park Wharfdale were really able to make their possession tell, and their excellent support play saw them run up a hatful of trys in the second half.
One bright feature of the match was the desire and willingness to counter attack shown by the Heath backs with the meagre possession available. Ian Hallett and Dave Wilkinson both got over the gain line, and would have been able to make this pay had there been a little more familiarity in the combinations. Both Martyn Barnes and Steve Cromie on the wings showed great courage winning more than their share of 50/50 balls, and young Barnes was rewarded for a solid display with his very first rugby union try, though I’m confident this won’t be his last.
A final word on the game, thanks to the dirty dozen that took the trip up to Wharfedale, and many thanks to Wharfedale for their usual generosity. It’s always a nice place to go, and with any luck we may get a crack at a return with a stronger fifteen.
Looking forward to the next three weeks, we have a full programme of local derbies; Brods, Rishys and Vandals. Third team training is growing apace with thirteen present on Tuesday and can only help to see us perform to our best ability.
