Change of Venue - but still a fine performance and Win.

Selection:

Burbidge, Hirst, Heron, N Payne, J Beck, Baxter, Sharp, Ward.

Rowntree, Fletcher, Cadogan, Hall, Thornton, Knight, Bruce.

Dance, Sunter, Grainger, Starkey.

Scorers:

Phil Cadogan, try x 4.  Jack Bruce, try.  Richard Dance, try.  Elliott Knight, try.  Sam Fletcher, try;  Convs x 4.

Report:

Heath travelled the short distance to Cleckheaton for the second time in the league this season as Cleck’ kindly hosted due to the state of the West Vale pitches.

Heath opened up brightly and kept possession cleverly, a fairly constant theme throughout the game, tightly marshalled by referee James Wass.

Numerous possessions allowed superb half backs Fletcher and Rowntree the opportunity to release the back line, Jack Bruce cutting a fine line and roaring in at the corner.

After that opening it became the Phil Cadogan show, scoring 2 in the next 20 mins and a first half hat trick.

The backs prospered from some hard yards and quality execution from the forwards - the line out functioned efficiently well, Sam Sharp and Brook Ward, the man of the match, yes despite Phil’s tries, were outstanding around the park.

Henry Hirst and Oli Burbidge carried out their front row tasks alongside George Heron anchoring the scrum.  Nicholas Payne had a block busting performance in the absence of Carrick Keighley-Payne alongside Josh Beck, another equally at home smashing defenders wayward on numerous block busting runs.

The forwards continued to lay the platform before Fletcher released Thornton and Hall, both threatening at every opportunity and it was they who were instrumental in releasing Knight for Heath’s 4 try before Cadogan completed his hat trick and Fletcher dived over to convert for a 38-0 had time lead, 6 tries and four Fletcher conversions.

Starkey replaced Payne, Sunter for Bruce and Granger for Cadogan, but it did not disrupt the Heath procession. Dance had replaced Burbidge and continued his high impact carrying game and another charge led to a try.

At this point Cleck regrouped, narrowed their game plan and relied heavily on some famous names - Piper and Turner had entered the fray. Their experience slowed down the Heath impetuous but Turner’s good work was also undone by giving away too many penalties and resulting in a yellow card!

Heath pushed on, into the sun and wind and against the slight gradient.

The game became scrappy, substitutions a-many playing their part, as players showed signs of fatigue on a heavy ground. Credit to Cleck’, they battled away, Heath equally determined to keep a clean sheet.

As the game came to a close there was still time for the returning Cadogan to add another to his tally with Fletcher unable to convert either second half try.
 

League Table (Championship West).  Here.  Heath Hawks are Top.