HEATH SECURE MAXIMUM POINTS AS THEY BATTLE FOR WIN AGAINST DRIFFIELD

Selection
15 Jack Bruce 14 Sam Fletcher 13 Callum Harriott-Brown 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Jake Haynes 10 Chris Johnson 9 Dom Walsh 1 Chris Moore 2 Alex McFadden 3 Josh Crickmay 4 Seif Boussaada 5 Pete Hampshire 6 Ben Stringer 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Tom Clough 16 Jonny Cole 17 Max Rowntree 18 Jack Pilcher

Scorers
Sam Fletcher 2 tries.   Jake Haynes 2 tries.  Chris Johnson 3 cons 3 pens

Report
Heath travelled to Driffield, looking to return to winning ways, but were up against a team that they had not beaten at Kellythorpe since December 2012 - so they knew they would be in for a battle.

Injuries to Elliott Knight and Alex Patrick saw Sam Fletcher and Seif Boussadda have starts, while on the bench sat Jonny Cole, back after a long injury, Max Rowntree and Jack Pilcher.

As usual there was a large group of Heath supporters in the crowd as the teams entered the field in glorious sunshine; with conditions ideal for a game of rugby and they were not to be disappointed.

Heath made the best start to the game and, following a scrum won easily by the visitors, Dom Walsh and Chris Johnson linked up to release Sam Fletcher who went over for the opening converted try, 7-0, with only five minutes on the clock. From the re-start a superb 50-20 clearance from Johnson found touch. The line out ball was won by Pete Hampshire and Heath drove to the try-line as Chris Moore slipped the ball to Alex McFadden who spun to give the ball to Sam Fletcher and the wingman streaked between the posts for his second converted try 14-0 with only eight minutes on the clock.

The visitors were running riot as they moved the ball about carving the home defence apart but in a rare visit to the Heath half Driffield managed to score a converted try, 14-7 with twenty minutes on the clock. Heath responded and when Ben Stringer took ball from a line out it was whizzed across the backs to Sam Fletcher who was tackled just short of the try-line as Driffield clung on. Heath continued to look for openings as Chris Johnson converted a penalty,17-7, but it was the home side who responded pressing for a score before Dom Walsh put in a clearance to relieve the pressure.  The game was very open as both teams looked to add to their tally.

A storming run from Seif Boussaada set up another attack on the Driffield defence and Jake Haynes was denied a score after a tap tackle saw him felled with the try-line beckoning but the only score was yet another penalty from Chris Johnson, 20-7, as the half time whistle sounded.

It had been a thoroughly entertaining half and it was more of the same please from the supporters as the second half began.

Heath made a couple of changes with Jonny Cole and Jack Pilcher replacing Seif Boussaada and Josh Crickmay and both were quickly involved in the action as the visitors went in search of an early score but an interception pass saw the Driffield winger Rix run the full length of the field for a converted try, 20-14 and it was game on with thirty minutes left to play.

Heath responded immediately and when a loose pass from ex Heath player Dan Ramsden was intercepted by Jake Haynes, the flying wingman crossed in the corner, 25-14. Once again, the home side responded looking for a break in the Heath defence and were rewarded with a converted try, 25-21 with just over fifteen minutes left of the game and it was wide open as to who would come away with the win.

Ben Stringer rose high in the line out and the ball came out to Tom Clough as Heath went in search of extending their lead but they had to settle for another penalty from Chris Johnson, 28-21. Driffield were struggling, having a player carded  as Heath replaced Chris Moore and Sam Fletcher  with Josh Crickmay and Max Rowntree coming on with ten minutes left to play and,  when a clever kick from Dom Walsh bounced favourably for the flying Jake Haynes, the winger evaded several tackles before touching down under the posts making the conversion a formality for Chris Johnson, 35-21 with minutes left to play.

Driffield were a spent force as Seif Boussaada returned for the injured Ben Stringer and it was the visitors who kept up the pressure on the home defence who were thankful to hear the final whistle.

It had been a super contest between two sides who provided a thoroughly entertaining game. Heath were worthy victors and the result saw them move up to third place in what is a very competitive league. It is a week off before they prepare for the visits to North Dean of Alnwick and Ilkley. See you there!!!!!!!!! 

There's more:

After the game, several players & supporters wondered when the last time was, that we beat Driff' on their home turf.  A little research (on this website - go to First XV Match Reports & Fixtures and select which season you want to view from the drop down menu) and we found that it was 2012/13, on the 15th December.  Report here.  Check out the photos of lads still currently playing (tho' slightly lo-res), including Danny Ramsden turning out for us.

An interesting read, but, to be fair, we weren't in the same Division as Driff' for some of the intervening seasons.

All photos from Bev Clough.  More of Bev Clough's photos, here.

League Results, here.

League Table, here.

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