Moortown 7-26 Heath Hawks
Cook, Pilcher, Heron, Patrick, Hampshire, J.Cole, Knight, Ward (c), Rowntree, Thomson, Firth, Sunter, Spiers, Cadogan, Fletcher.
Subs: Sharp, Metcalf, Burbidge, & Curtis.
Tries: Firth, Cole, Pilcher, & Cook.
Cons: Thomson (3).
Star Player - Alex Patrick
The Hawks travelled to Moortown, looking to continue their unbeaten run in 2024. On a heavy pitch, it was always going to be a battle up front.
The Hawks dominance up front was prominent throughout, with player of the match Alex Patrick, Jonny Cole & Jack Pilcher leading the charge. Sam Fletcher made a number of breaks out wide but the home team scrambled well to deny the opening score. Elliott Spiers was thriving out wide and it was his well-timed pass that released Jake Firth, who scampered home untouched, Zak Thomson converted superbly from the touchline.
Moortown came back strongly, benefiting from good field position as Heath’s poor discipline piggy backed them up field. After a huge hit by Pilcher, the home team kept the ball alive well to score a converted try and level the scores. Undeterred, the Hawks hit straight back, Cole emerging from a pile of bodies after a great catch and drive. On the stroke of half time, Pilcher scored a deserved try from close range, Thomson converted. Half Time 7-19.
Heath needed to improve their discipline and control the ball to see their dominance rewarded and not invite the home team back into the game. In a slugfest, the first 20 minutes of the second half were uninspiring at times.
Heath tried to play, Spiers and Firth combined out wide on a number of occasions but couldn’t add to the score. Halfbacks, Max Rowntree and Thomson looked to shift the ball wide but slippy conditions often saw final passes fumbled. Burbidge, Pilcher and Pete Hampshire went close. Olly Cook, went low and hard at the line to score, Thomson completed the scoring. Full time 7-26.
This was a good win against stubborn opponents who never stopped trying. The squad knows that this wasn’t the best performance but this is only due to the high standards that have been set throughout the season.
UTHH