Heath RUFC Halifax

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

Scorers
Jake Haynes 2 tries Sam Fletcher 2 tries Alex McFadden 1 try Chris Johnson 1 try Harvey Keighley-Payne 1 try Ezra Hinchliffe 1 try Tom Clough 1 try Callum Harriott-Brown 1 try
Chris Johnson 7 cons Ezra Hinchliffe 2 cons

Report:
Heath travelled to Driffield looking to maintain their fine form and in a high scoring encounter came away with maximum points. Alex Patrick returned to the starting line up with Tom Clough, Jack Pilcher and Sam Fletcher making up the bench as the teams entered the field. Conditions were ideal for a fast open game and the large crowd which had gathered were not to be disappointed.

Heath kicked off and took immediate control of the game keeping possession and pinging the ball about to puncture holes in the home defence. From a penalty, Chris Johnson found touch and the resulting line-out saw Alex McFadden peel off to crash over the try-line for a converted try, 7-0 with four minutes on the clock. Heath were on fire, prepared to run with the ball with some superb handling and when Chris Johnson saw a gap he powered over for a second converted try and a score of 14-0 after twelve minutes.

Driffield tried to stem the flow but Heath were dominant when Elliott Spiers jinked past four players before releasing the ball along the backs - ending up with Jake Haynes, who crossed in the corner, again converted by Johnson, 21-0 with fifteen minutes played. The home supporters looked shell shocked as Heath continued to play some superb rugby and it came as no surprise to see Harvey Keighley-Payne cross for a bonus point converted try, 28-0 with only a quarter of the game played.

On the half hour mark Jack Pilcher and Tom Clough replaced Chris Moore and Seif Boussaada and this was a chance for Driffield to get onto the scoreboard. From the re-start, slick handling saw the home side score a converted try and, as they continued to press for another, they were rewarded when, from a quickly taken tap penalty, they barged over for a second converted try and a score of 28-14, which looked far more respectable as half time arrived.

The start of the second half saw Sam Fletcher replace Jack Bruce, as the visiting supporters hoped Heath would get back on track and they did not have to wait long. From kick off, Tom Clough collected the ball and set off on a barnstorming run, evading several tackles before releasing the supporting Ezra Hinchliffe who completed the move with a try, converted by Chris Johnson, 35-14 with forty one minutes played.

Heath were back on track as they went in search of adding to their scoreline and when Ezra Hinchliffe returned the favour by releasing Tom Clough, he sauntered over for another converted try and a score of 42-14 with fifty minutes played. Credit to Driffield, they continued to try and get on the scoreboard and were rewarded with a converted try 42-21.

An injury to Harvey Keighley-Payne saw Chris Moore return and he was quickly involved in the action as Heath pressed for another score. From a penalty Chris Johnson found touch ten metres from the Driffield line. Alex Patrick collected line out ball and the drive was on before it came out along the back line and Sam Fletcher was on hand to score a try in the corner, converted by Johnson, 49-21. Once again, credit to the home side who went looking for the bonus point try and they were successful, scoring a converted try on sixty-five minutes, 49-28.

Jack Bruce came on for Chris Johnson, as Heath responded immediately, once again, with some slick handling and off-loading; Sam Fletcher was on hand to score his second try of the game, this time converted by Ezra Hinchliffe, 56-28 with ten minutes left to play.

There was still time for more tries and when prop Chris Moore threw a couple of outrageous dummies before kicking through, the ball bounced favourably for Jake Haynes to score under the posts, converted by Hinchliffe, 63-28 with minutes left of the game. From the re-start, Heath went looking to add to their tally and excellent work from Jonny Cole and Jack Pilcher saw Ezra Hinchliffe chip through and Callum Harriott-Brown was there to scoop the ball up for a final, un-converted, try in the corner, 68-28, as the referee blew for full time.

Both sides deserve credit for putting on a great show of rugby but it was Heath who played some outstanding rugby to secure maximum points.

The win sees Heath maintain top spot as they take a break from league action to play Morley at home in the Yorkshire Cup. Then it’s a visit from the second and third clubs Alnwick and Ilkley to round of November fixtures. See you there!!!!

Photography:

Bev Clough. All her photos are here, on her Facebook page.

League results, here.

Time Line for Scores, here. ( Click on Key Events).

League Table, here.