A brilliant start to the league campaign against good opposition.

Selection:

Luke Townsend, Henry Hirst, George Heron, Brook Ward, Carrick K-Payne, Sam Sharp, Harry Murphy, Will Baxter.
Sam Cox, Tom Egan, Jack Bruce, Ben Hall, Seb Jeffers, Elliot Knight, Sam Fletcher ( C ).
Jordan Shaw, Sam Brown, Eddie Sunter.

Scorers

Tries: Jeffers (2), Knight (2), Fletcher, & Sharp. 
Cons: Fletcher (4).

Men of the Match

 Luke Townsend & Sam Fletcher.

Match Report

The Hawks kicked off their Counties 2 Yorkshire B league with a great win away at Wheatley Hills. 

On a dry day, Heath started quickly with Carrick Keighley-Payne setting the tone from the kick off, collecting cleanly before charging 30 metres. Harry Murphy continued the charge before the Hawks backline released Sam Fletcher who arced around the defence to score a great try (0-5).

The home side came back strongly, using their big, direct runners to push through Heaths brave defence. Wheatley scored the next two tries, a well worked catch and drive and a powerful finish by the centre (12-5). 

The game was very even with the Hawks looking to get their backs on the ball. On one such occasion, great hands and timing saw Tom Egan, Ben Hall and Fletcher hit Elliot Knight on the overlap for a great converted try (12-12). The hosts hit back with a couple of long breaks before forcing their way over the line (19-12).

Heath then hit back well with Seb Jeffers grabbing a brace, firstly hitting a great line from 30 metres to go untouched for his first before getting on the outside of the of floundering defence for his second. Fletcher confidently converting both tries (19-26). The home team hammered on Heaths tryline - only denied by monstrous defence led by Sam Sharp, Will Baxter, & Murphy. Star player, Luke Townsend combined with Egan to hold up what looked like certain tries at the end of the half (HT 19-26).

The Hawks were in an epic battle, needing to stay in the fight and capitalise when they got the chances. Fletcher and Jack Bruce made inroads before Sam Cox spotted space on the blindside, as Wheatley Hills stood still waiting for the ref to intervene, Sharp continued galloping clear to extend the lead, Fletcher converted (19-33).

The tiring home side were struggling with Heaths lively backline and when Bruce made a fantastic break, finding Egan in support but the outstanding Murphy couldn’t collect the final pass with no one in front of him. Heath continued to battle away against their abrasive opponents, receiving two yellow cards in quick succession, firstly Sam Brown for a high shot and then 5 minutes later, Keighley-Payne for a kick out as he tried to roll away from the tackle.

With the numerical advantage and good field position, Wheatley's big winger found space and crashed over for a converted try (26-33). Egan had the opportunity to extend the lead with a penalty which drifted agonisingly wide. However, Heath continued to press and when Hall squeezed out a pass to Knight, he finished well in the corner (26-38).

With only minutes remaining, Jeffers set off from inside his own half before showing blistering pace to beat the chasers only for the referee to deem he had bounced the ball when grounding, hatrick avoidance and a big fine! The Hawks repelled the final onslaught with some huge defensive efforts to see out the game (FT 26-38). 

A brilliant start to the league campaign against good opposition. The Hawks will look to make it two wins out of two as they travel to Sandal Saracens next Saturday.

Photography:

All photos - Andy Keighley

League Results; here

League Table; here.