Good game, in good spirit, with some fine performances. Great result.

Selection:

Haigh, Whitworth, Heron, Cook, Ward (c), N.Payne, J.Payne, Sharp, Rowntree, Sunter, Haynes, Bruce, Cadogan, Ring, Granger.
SUBS: Metcalf & Ashton.

Scorers:

Tries: Cadogan (2), Cook, Heron, Ring, & Sharp.
Cons: Cook (3).

⭐️STAR PLAYER: CARTER HAIGH⭐️

Report:

The Hawks made the short trip to take on Cleckheaton Kestrels, who are current champions & sit top of the YRU Championship merit league table. The home side were keen to test themselves against a side from the league above.

The Hawks started the game superbly, dominating possession and playing smart rugby in the right areas. Nicholas Payne, star player Carter Haigh, Oliver Cook, & George Heron carried hard and got Heath on the front foot. Cook scored the first try, unstoppable from close range, converting his own try. After a couple of near misses, Heron rumbled over to extend the lead, Cook converted. Haigh, Jack Bruce & Jake Haynes made long breaks only denied by last ditch tackling.

The visitors wasted a number of opportunities, with the final pass not sticking. Cleckheaton then enjoyed their best spell in the game, capitalising on Heath’s poor discipline and unforced errors. From a good catch and drive, the home hooker controlled and scored wide left. Heath came back strongly, with Max Rowntree and Eddie Sunter controlling play and challenging defenders with their running. 5-14 HT

The Hawks needed to tighten up and challenge Cleckheaton’s defence. Heath dominated the start of the second half, strong defence by James Payne, Alastair Ring, Sam Sharp and Brook Ward repelled some strong surges and snuffed out any thoughts of a fightback. Ring continued his rich try scoring form, looping around to capitalise on a retreating defence. Chris Metcalf was sin binned, Cleck looked to take advantage of their numerical advantage, only to see a long pass plucked out of the air by a flying Phil Cadogan who scampered home from inside his own half. Though, Cleck did manage to get over before Metcalf returned.

After a great kick and chase, Cleckheaton conceded a 5-metre scrum, Sharp went close from a solid shove, before Leon Ashton burrowed over only to see his score ruled out by an unsighted referee. Undeterred, Heath opted to scrum again from the penalty, this time the pack stayed square and Sharp controlled and dotted down. With time ticking down, Heath’s backs handled well to put Cadogan in for his second, Cook converting superbly from the touchline.

Score: 10-36 FT

It was great to welcome back James Whitworth at hooker, hopefully he can play his part in this exciting season.

UTHH 👊🦅

All photos courtesy Bev Clough.  There's more on her Facebook page.  Check them out, here.

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