Good game despite the scoreline.

Heath 2nd xv played hosts to their West Park Leeds counterparts in a league game played on an overcast afternoon. Heath started confidently taking the ball from the kick off and passing it down the line after a couple of forward drives. They were awarded a penalty and outside half, Edward CARTWRIGHT found a very good touch. However, from the subsequent line out, the ball was turned over and the WP Leeds outside half ran through a large gap, found the centre and, after a couple of missed tackles, a try was scored some 15 metres in from touch. The full back converted well. 0-7 after 3 minutes. Left winger, Tobias HINCHCLFFE, then had to leave the field after 7 minutes with a dislocated shoulder (Here’s to a speedy recovery, mate). He was replaced by Danny GREENWOOD. Heath then registered points on the scoreboard with a penalty from Edward CARTWRIGHT. 3-7. WP Leeds came straight back with a try from the centre after another number of missed tackles when lads were going high instead of tackling around the legs. The try was converted. 3-14 after 12 minutes. Heath then began to dictate matters and had a very good period of pressure in the WP Leeds half for some 20 minutes. Unfortunately, they were unable to breach a good WP Leeds defence and were also being frustrated by their opponents spoiling tactics. During this period, Edward CARTWRIGHT hit a post with a penalty attempt. It was WP Leeds who increased their lead after 32 minutes when, after another number of missed tackles, a further converted try was conceded. 3-21, and very much against the run of play. Edward CARTWRIGHT converted a penalty just on the stroke of half time to take the score to 6-21. At half time, a number of changes to personnel were made. Emlyn JAMES replaced Ryan HUNTER in the second row and Stuart NELSON replaced Danny GREENWOOD on the wing. Heath made the best possible start to the second half when the forwards made good ground, resulting in an attacking scrum some 22 metres out. The ball was won and Edward CARTWRIGHT did a couple of mis-moves with his centres before ghosting through to score an excellent individual try which he converted himself. 13-21. From the restart, Emlyn JAMES was taken out in the air in a dangerous tackle and the WP Leeds wing forward was sin binned for his actions. Again, after the converted try this was a big fillip to the home side. After 55 minutes, number 8, Neil SMURTHWAITE left the field to be replaced by Ryan HUNTER and centre Martin WHITE left the field with an ankle injury to be replaced by David CRAIGIE. WP Leeds were feeling the pressure and unfortunately resorted to niggly late tackle offences. From one such transgression, Edward CARTWRIGHT was able to convert the subsequent penalty. 16-21 after 60 minutes. Full back, Mick GLEESON, then put in an excellent kick downfield which was returned by the WP Leeds full back. The ball was regathered by Heath and a further kick downfield caused confusion in the WP Leeds defence and this hesitancy was capitalised on by Edward CARTWRIGHT, who hacked the ball into the ‘In goal’ area where he managed to dive on it ball for a try. The conversion would have given Heath the lead but it just struck the post. 21-21 and all to play for. WP Leeds found touch in the Heath ‘22’. The ball was won by Heath but the ball was passed out and centre, David CRAIGIE, lost possession in the ‘22’ and the ball was then passed down the line from the resulting scrum for a converted try some 10 metres in from touch. 21-28. A score which was against the run of play. WP Leeds then further increased their lead with a penalty for offside in front of the posts some 22 metres out. 21-31 and the Heath boys now needed to dig in. However, matters went from bad to worse when a further converted try was conceded to make the score 21-38. Dave ALLEN then replaced prop Rick CARTER. The lead was increased when the strong-running left winger from WP Leeds got the ball on halfway and used his strength and speed to score a good try under the posts. The full back converted. 21-45. The game ended on a sour note when first, Ryan BROOK then Edward CARTWRIGHT were the victims of late tackles from the opposition, the referee deciding to bring the game to an end at this juncture. Ryan BROOK had to be helped off the field with a rib injury. Final score 21-45. This was a very encouraging performance from the Heath boys against a team who will be strong contenders to win the league. From being down 3-21, the lads showed superb commitment and tenacity to claw their way back to 21-21. Overall, an excellent performance from the 20 lads who represented their club this afternoon. Man of the match awards go to Edward CARTWRIGHT who scored all 21 points and made a very good contribution throughout the game and also, Richard DANCE who is improving week on week. His tackling is exemplary and his contribution in the loose is excellent running the ball in well and getting the pack on the front foot.