A good away win ti finish with.

Heath 2nd xv travelled to Keighley for their final game of the season, in the knowledge that a victory would give them a 50% record in the Yorkshire One 2nd xv league. The game was played on a soft pitch in dry, overcast conditions. Heath kicked off playing towards the clubhouse, with the wind in their favour. The first few minutes had both sides sizing each other up but the play was centred in the Keighley half. Heath passed the ball all the way down the line on a couple of occasions and this looked like a tactic which could pay dividends with the back line looking dangerous. After 7 minutes, outside half, Tom OWEN, made a break taking him to within 5 metres of the line. His offload in the tackle hit a retreating Keighley defender, the ball went over the try line and a 5 metre attacking scrum resulted. Clean ball was won and the ball was passed down the line to left winger, Steve PULLAN, playing only his second game of the season due to Pilot Licence studies, but the chance was lost when the ball went forward. However, from the defensive 5 metre scrum, hooker and captain, Rick PAINTER nicked one against the head; the ball was passed down the line to centre, Simon BROWN, who kicked it into the in-goal area for right winger, Martyn BARNES, to chase. Although he had plenty of time, Martyn slipped just as he was about to pounce on the rolling ball. However, he was still able to place his hand on it for a try whilst sat on his backside! Tom OWEN’s conversion was just wide. 5-0 after 10 minutes. After 15 minutes, Keighley made their first real foray into Heath territory with a good kick to within 7 metres of the Heath line. From the resulting line out, the ball was stolen by the Keighley jumper and it was passed all the way down the line to the left winger in space. Martyn BARNES then made a textbook tackle around the ankles, downing his opposite number. The winger was able to pass to a supporting player and the danger was not over. He moved back inside where he was tackled and subsequently penalised for 'holding-on' in the tackle. Tom OWEN was then able to ease the pressure finding an excellent touch. Heath continued in their expansive game and from one such move, the ball was passed at speed along the line to Steve PULLAN who made a good 20 metres before being tackled into touch. Further Heath pressure followed and they gained a 5 metre attacking scrum. The ball was won and driven in by wing forward, Mark MATTOCK. Then it was quickly recycled and when outside centre, Tom COLLINGE, was tackled, the defender prevented release and Tom OWEN made no mistake with the penalty from 20 metres out directly in front of the posts. 8-0 after 19 minutes. From the kick off, prop, Rick CARTER, took the ball cleanly and set up the ruck. Unfortunately, his pack colleagues fell asleep and allowed the Keighley number 8 to come through and kick the 'live' ball from the rear of the ruck. The ball was retrieved by Keighley and a further ruck followed. The Heath back line was penalised for offside directly in front of the posts, some 20 metres out. Heath had a let off when the Keighley outside half pulled his goal attempt wide. Heath then produced the move of the game. From an attacking line out on the Keighley 10 metre line, the ball was tapped back, wing forward Martin PARKER cleaned up and passed it to scrum half, Matthew HALLETT. The ball went to Simon BROWN who made ground before passing back inside to the supporting full back, Colin HEWISON. This totally wrong-footed the Keighley defence. Colin side-stepped his opposite number into the home '22' and, although the right winger was able to tackle Colin just short of the try line, he was able place the ball over the line for an excellently-worked score. Tom OWEN complimented the try with a very good conversion. 15-0 after 29 minutes and everything was going well. However, Keighley, who had a number of young lads playing, had shown their own intentions of passing the ball around and were very good at keeping the ball in play with some excellent offloads and backing-up. Their play was rewarded with the last movement of the half when the ball was passed down the line from left to right and back left again where the left winger was able to score a try in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful. 15-5 at half time. Keighley were dominating proceedings in the second half in both possession and territory. That said, the Heath defence looked up to the test but it did appear only a matter of time before the pressure eventually told and a score was to be conceded. After 58 minutes, Steve PULLAN left the field to be replaced by David PIGEON. The Heath line was eventually breached when Keighley gained possession from an attacking line out some 5 metres from the Heath line and the pack drove the ball over the line for a converted try. 15-12 after 60 minutes and Heath had to get their act together as the home sides' confidence was visibly growing. Richard DANCE replaced second row, Michael STEAD immediately prior to the restart. Keighley continued to press but when in good positions in the Heath '22', they were their own worst enemy giving away 3-4 penalties for 'holding-on' in the tackle. On each occasion, Heath were able to clear their lines. Heath then came back into the game and managed to get into the home '22'. From one attack, Tom OWEN took the ball from a scrum, jinked inside and then found Simon BROWN some 10 metres out but he was tackled and the move came to nought. In the dying seconds, Keighley attacked down the right and Heath were penalised for handling in the subsequent ruck. This was going to be Keighleys' last opportunity to get something out of the game. However, the young Keighley second row decided to tap the offender, Simon BROWN, in his back with his toe end. The referee, Rodney LOWE, then reversed the penalty decision; the ball was cleared to touch and when it was cleanly won from the lineout, Matthew HALLETT kicked the ball into touch and the referee brought the game to an end. Final score: Keighley 12 v 15 Heath. This was a game where the draw would probably have been a fair result but, that said, I am sure the Heath boys are more than happy to take the win. Man of the Match awards went to scrum half, Matthew HALLETT who was an excellent link between backs and forwards, putting in some excellent kicks and tackles, one particularly in the second half when it appeared the Keighley left winger had to score but pure determination by young Matt brought him down in the '22' with the line beckoning; and prop forward, Rick CARTER, who, as usual, carried out his role with the minimum of fuss putting in some good drives and tackles. Todays victory and last weeks excellent comeback victory at Pontefract means that Heath 2nd xv secured a mid table position in the Merit League: Played 18 Won 9 Lost 9 Points 18 Including all other 'friendly' fixtures, the overall statistics for season 2007-08 are as follows: Played 29 Won 13 Lost 16 In conclusion, I believe that, in the circumstances, this has been a more than satisfactory season for Heath 2nd xv. I have thoroughly enjoyed the season and I hope that all the lads who have represented the team can say likewise. A big thank you to all people connected with the second team including players, supporters and my right hand man, Alf BAXTER. Boys------have a good, relaxing summer and then let's come back next season refreshed and ready to give season 2008-09 a real good 'go'