Another excellent Rugby performance from the Hawks.

Selection:

Haigh, Hirst, Pilcher, Heron, Beck, Payne, Sharp, Ward (c), Rowntree, Sunter, Cadogan, Hall, Thornton, Freeth, Fletcher.
Sub: C.O’Connor

Scorers

Tries: Pilcher (3), O’Connor (2), & Fletcher.

Convs:  Sunter x 1

⭐️STAR PLAYER - Brook Ward⭐️

Report:

The Hawks travelled to a resurgent Cleckheaton for more Friday night lights action. A typical local derby was fought out with the Hawks coming away with a terrific and hard earned 32-0 win, scoring 6 tries.

The Hawks started well and were in the ascendency, a dominant scrum, George Heron in an unaccustomed second row berth assisting Carter Haigh, Henry Hirst and Cleckheaton opposition man of the match Jack Pilcher ensured Cleck’ had a torrid time.

Indeed 16 minutes in it was Pilcher who got an early try barrelling over, Eddie Sunter narrowly missed the conversion, which would turn out to follow a similar vein, striking well but hitting 2 posts and a cross bar. 5 mins later Fletch skipped his way through for Heath’s 2nd try after good work from the pack, in particular hard hitting and big carrying Josh Beck with Sam Sharp always on hand, Sunter converted 12-0.

Half an hour in Nick Payne suffered what looked like a painful knee injury, fingers crossed he’s ok. This brought evergreen Chris OConnor onto the field a little earlier than expected - having landed from a warm weather training camp only hours earlier! OConnor went out wide with duracell bunny Harry Freeth bouncing into the back row, carrying on from previous weeks with excellent chop tackling, showing everyone how to do it. With his first touch OConnor junior went over in the far corner after good work from Ben Hall and a crisp back line, this time the conversion was successful, 17-0.

Referee Nick Leadbeater remained stoic on the DLV (domestic law variation - tackle height), Heath with more possession meant Cleck were doing most of the tackling and fell foul numerous times to high tackle penalties, this continued most of the night - Heath adjusted well, Cleck had a barrage of yellow cards which didn’t help their cause. 17-0 up and a dominant line out led by man of the match and skipper Brook Ward combining excellently with Henry Hirst allowed Max Rowntree to release a potent back line. Phil Cadogan carried well wide out and Sam Fletcher was a constant menace.

HT 17-0.

Like Keighley last week, the first half was well fought and well won but the game was still in the balance, the next score would be crucial.
Cleck rolled on and off numerous substitutions but with coach Crickmay’s half time words still fresh there was no way through as this resplendent Heath defence refused to budge, absorbing pressure in their own 22, making crucial, timely turnovers.

Sunter, Hall and Fletcher complimented Max Rowntree’s fine kicking and all field game to put us in the right areas of the field. Matty Thornton continues to improve week on week, numerous barnstorming carries complimented by trademark solid defence. As Heath moved into the golden zone; Pilcher came alive, run after run, looking like an NRL forward ‘off the back fence’ sapping some resolute Cleck defence. Harry Freeth was a menace whenever Cleck got a sniff off the ball as he and terrier like Rowntree dominated.

49 mins in, the defence broke as Pilcher crashed over, dominating carries from the  ‘triple H’ triumvirate - Heron, Haigh and Hirst paving the way, 22-0.

Cleck battled but were no match for table topping Heath; the game entered the final quarter, Heath still going strong despite now having no replacements. Ball was retained well and the inevitable happened, Pilcher went over again from close range, unstoppable, 27-0.
As the game drew to a close it was Heath, ensuring another clean sheet and more points to their healthy table topping points difference, who had the final word. Sam Sharp & Brook Ward leading the forwards who eventually released the back line, Sunter to Fletcher who, seemingly and reluctantly, gave OConnor another walk in, Sunter hitting the cross bar from wide out as the final whistle blew, 32-0.

‘Block one’ is now complete, 6 from 6 wins but the 2s now enter a tough period; Harrogate, Brods, Guisboro’ (Yorks Cup) & Huddersfield in the next 5 weeks.

The welcome return of Danny Cole and Fergus Marsden is near, the returning youthful exuberance from the Crossley Heath touring Canada will supplement and keep the older boys on their toes. Joe Morrison, Harry Granger, Joe Gallagher, Carrick Keighley-Payne, Tom Clough return next week from injury with Alastair Ring and Olly Burbidge also available.

UTHH 👊🦅
 

The evening's photos were all taken by Bev Clough.  There's a few more to view, here.