Pipped at the post but a fine performance.

Selection.

Cook, Ashton, Heron, Boussaada, Myers, N.Payne, Sharp, Ward (c), Rowntree, Sunter, Haynes, Horn, Fletcher, Cadogan, Granger,
Subs: Wilkinson, Thomson & R.Cole.

Scorers.

Tries: Haynes (3), Boussaada, Fletcher, & Granger.
Cons: Cook (2).
Pen: Thomson.

⭐️STAR PLAYER: Dom Horn⭐️

The Hawks travelled to York looking to kickstart 2025 in style.

The home side dominated the opening exchanges, battering the Heath line but massive defence by Saif Boussaada, Sam Sharp & Dom Horn repelled their attacks. After soaking up all the pressure, a relieving penalty gave Heath their first attacking position, Oliver Cook and George Heron went close before Boussaada smashed his way over, Cook converted. York responded immediately to tie the scores and then followed this up to take the lead.

Undeterred, Heath came back strongly, Eddie Sunter made a superb break and fed Jake Haynes who looked a certain scorer, only thwarted by a great cover tackle. Matthew Wilkinson replaced the hardworking James Myers in the pack. Player of the match Horn, fired a pass to Sam Fletcher who cut through to score, Cook converted. With half time approaching, Fletcher turned provider, passing to an unmarked Harry Granger for a great team try. HT 14-19.

In an epic second half the lead changed hands 7 times as both sides showed their attacking prowess.

Zak Thomson replaced Phil Cadogan at half time. Leon Ashton got a boot to the face in back play as York opened the scoring in the second half, before Max Rowntree limped off with Myers and Cadogan returning to the game. After good attacking shape, Horn put in an inch perfect kick for Haynes to catch on the full and streak away for his first try. However, Sunter took a head knock and had to leave the field, Richard Cole replaced him for his seasonal debut with 30 minutes still to play.

York scored the next try, squeezing in at the corner before Cole fed Fletcher who ran clear before releasing Haynes to scamper home. This was quickly followed up with Haynes’s hatrick, Heron and Wilkinson went close before great hands by the backline released him to score. York scored the next long distance converted try to snatch back a one-point lead. As the Hawks, led by a rampaging Boussaada and Horn, looked to get the vital score, a penalty was awarded. Thomson stepped up confidently and converted from distance to lead 35-37 with 4 minutes remaining.

However, there was still time for heartbreak, Heath defended for their lives, when Wilkinson looked to have turned over the ball at the ruck, the referee deemed it a penalty. York’s 10 held his nerve to convert. FT 38-37.

This was a fantastic game played by two well matched, talented teams. The result is disappointing but the spirit shown and the skills on show for the Hawks was outstanding. We look to bounce back next Saturday 25th January away at Harrogate.

UTHH 👊🦅