Hawks first loss of the season to a well drilled Harrogate side.

Selection:

Haigh, Burbidge, Heron, Ward (c), Keighley-Payne, Sunter, Freeth, Sharp, Rowntree, Gallagher, Cadogan, Thornton, Knight, West, Fletcher.
Subs: Myers, Thompson & Watkinson.

Scorers

Tries: Fletcher & Sharp.
Cons: Gallagher (2).

⭐️STAR PLAYER - Max Rowntree⭐️

Report

Heath welcomed Harrogate for an early kick off, a contest between two of the top sides in the league. 

The visitors started quickly and immediately showed the fast-paced style of rugby they wanted to play. Heath's defence stood firm, with Matty Thornton immense as he made hit after hit. On 9 minutes, Heath conceded a soft try from close range. Undeterred, the Hawks came straight back, Joe Gallagher found Sam Fletcher out the back before he powered through three would be tackles to touch down under the posts,  Gallagher converted. 

Both sides had opportunities to add to their tallies but mistakes and scrambling defences kept the scores tied till 30 minutes in. Harrogate’s outstanding 7 spotted a gap and romped away untouched for a converted try.

Newcomers, George West & Oisin Watkinson were making their presence felt, in both attack and defence. Harry Freeth trapped the visiting 9 in goal to set up a 5-metre scrum, the pack controlled well for Sam Sharp to pick and score, Gallagher converted. However, Harrogate hit straight back with 14 unanswered points in 2 minutes as the Hawks struggled with the pace of the attack.

As the half came to a close, Carter Haigh and Gallagher both made strong surges towards the try line but couldn’t find the finishing touch.

HT 14-28. 

The Hawks knew they needed to tighten up in the second half and take their chances when they presented themselves. 

Carrick Keighley-Payne bounced off a couple of would be tackles but couldn’t get the ball down as he was held up over the try line. Elliot Knight and star man Max Rowntree were buzzing about trying to ignite the fightback. From two scrums on Harrogate’s line, Heath should have reduced the deficit but failed to convert either when it looked easier to score. The game continued to be played at a frantic pace but both teams defended well, especially the Hawks who defended superbly at the end of the game as it looked like Harrogate would add to their tally.

FT 14-28.

The Hawks will regroup and with the squad ready to welcome back a number of key players for the next match, v Old Brodleians at Heath on 8th November.

UTHH 👊🦅

Photographs:

Andy Keighley (mainly) & Garf '