Tougher Opposition, but still a good WIN to NIL.

Doncaster Phoenix 2’s 0-27 Heath Hawks

Selection:

Haigh, Hirst, Heron, Cook, C.Keighley-Payne, Baxter, Isaac-Barker, Ward (c), Fletcher, Gallagher, Freeth, Sunter, Payne, Sharp, Knight.
Sub: R.Cole

Scorers:

Tries: Cook (2), Knight, Sunter, & Fletcher.
Con: Cook

⭐️STAR PLAYER: Joe Gallagher ⭐️

Report:

On a damp miserable afternoon in Donny, the Hawks continued their superb start to the season. With a couple of late dropouts the Hawks were forced to reshuffle with a number of players asked to play away from their usual positions.

After an even start both teams settled and adapted to the testing conditions. Olly Cook was first to score after a great catch and drive near the line. The forward pack, led superbly by Brook Ward, muscled up well in defence and shut down numerous attacks to set a dominant platform. Debutant Will Isaac-Barker, Henry Hirst and Carter Haigh added superb energy in both attack and defence.

One of the major differences between the sides was game management and playing in the right areas. Star player, Joe Gallagher, was excellent with his decision making and ensuring Heath played for long periods of time in Donny’s half. Makeshift backs, Nicholas Payne and Sam Sharp made some massive hits in the backline to repel potential breakaways. Elliott Knight sliced through to double the lead just before halftime.

HT 0-10.

The Hawks knew the next score was vital and pushed to keep their opponents scoreless. 

From a clever lineout move, George Heron combined brilliantly with Hirst to rumble close to the line, Carter Haigh and Carrick Keighley-Payne had a nibble before Cook rampaged over and converted his own score. 

Next, the homeside had their best spell deep in Heath’s half but the visitors were in no mood to concede their first points of the year, with some great defence by Sam Fletcher, Harry Freeth and Will Baxter. The latter took a knock, with Richard Cole entering the field for his seasonal debut. Knight and Fletcher made a couple of great breaks in open field before Gallagher put in a brilliant cross field kick for the returning Eddie Sunter to gratefully collect and ground for his first try of the season.

Heath were finishing strongly as their hosts struggled to clear their lines. On the last play, Sharp carried well into contact before Cole fed Fletcher on the blindside, who subsequently ran over his young opponent to complete the scoring.

FT 0-27

This was a great performance in testing conditions. The Hawks take a well earned break next week having won all three of their opening league games, scoring 175 points and conceding zero.