Heath Hawks 52-35 Sheffield Tigers 2’s
Turner, Burbidge, Crickmay, Heron, Downsborough, Shipman, Sharp, Ward (c), Rowntree, Cartwright, Thomson, Sunter, Bruce, Wilkinson, Granger.
SUBS: Metcalfe, Samples, & Ashton.
Tries: Crickmay (3), Shipman, Thomson, Sharp, Sunter, & Rowntree.
Cons: Thomson (6).
STAR PLAYER: Eddie Sunter
The Hawks started the game superbly, playing with pace and power. The returning, Paul Turner and Josh Crickmay carried hard, ably supported by experienced duo Ian Downsborough and Joe Shipman. The latter scoring the first try, driving over from close range, Zak Thomson converted. Crickmay followed this up with his first try, unstoppable, as he went low and hard for the next converted try. Thomson scored the next try, collecting the ball on the half way before beating several defenders on his way to a great try which he converted. After an excellent 50/22 kick by the excellent Eddie Cartwright, Heath’s catch and drive surged forward before Crickmay broke clear to score his second, Thomson continued his great afternoon with the boot. Player of the match, Eddie Sunter was causing havoc in the centres, breaking from deep and linking up well with Jack Bruce.
The visitors hit back after a rare bit of pressure in the Hawks half, their impressive number 8 pushing through. Undeterred, Sunter went close before the ball was recycled well for Sam Sharp to power over the fullback. The Tigers finished well and scored a deserved converted try to close the half. Half time 33-14.
Heath started the second half strongly; Bruce broke clear from deep but the final pass went to ground. Sunter got a deserved try after a Tiger’s mistake deep in their own half, Max Rowntree spotting the space on the blindside. The visitors scored the next two tries as Crickmay turned provider, throwing two wild passes to their grateful wingers who scampered clear to reduce the deficit to just 10 points. Determined to make amends, Crickmay was unstoppable as he completed his hatrick, rampaging over from ten metres out, Thomson added the two. Brook Ward led his troops brilliantly throughout, going back to what was working well, carrying hard up front and aggressive in defence. George Heron and Oli Burbidge leading the charge as the Hawks went back to basics.
The Tigers went close on a couple of occasions, Rowntree and Harry Granger making great relieving breaks. Debutant, Mick Samples and Matthew Wilkinson carried well out of defence, with angry Leon Ashton adding aggression from the bench. After a great surge up the middle, Rowntree backed up and finished well, with Thomson adding his sixth conversion.
The visitors completed the scoring near the end.
Full time 52-35.
This was an entertaining game which Heath dominated for long periods of time. The Hawks played some great rugby and scored some excellent tries. Well done to all involved, onto York away next weekend.
UTHH
More Bev Clough photos here.