Fine win at Home. A good team performance.

Heath 2nd xv entertained their Bradford Salem counterparts in a league game at West Vale on a crisp, dry afternoon. Due to a number of cry-offs in the backs, outstanding back rower, Richard DANCE, took up a position at inside centre. Heath settled well into the game with both backs and forwards playing well together as separate units. The game was a stalemate for the first 10 minutes and it was Salem who then began to show signs of getting on top with a couple of runs down the backline both of which were rebuffed, firstly by a good covering tackle by second row, Ryan HUNTER and secondly, by some good defensive work by full back, Matthew COOK and left winger, Simon LOCKWOOD who secured the ball in their ‘22’ before captain and number 8, Karl RABY, managed to clear the ball to touch. Heath continued to defend well and the two teams appeared to be very evenly matched with neither side really looking like scoring a try. However, after 34 minutes, Salem passed the ball well down the back line and the ball came to the right winger with only Matthew COOK standing between him and the try line deep in the home ‘22’. Matthew stood his ground and put in an excellent try saving tackle. The ball subsequently went to ground and from the resulting 5 metre scrum, Heath were able to clear their lines. It was Heath who made the breakthrough after 36 minutes when outside half, Eddie CARTWRIGHT, converted a penalty from 28 metres to give Heath a 3-0 lead. However, the lead lasted for a couple of minutes only as Salem passed the ball swiftly along the line where the left winger scored a try in the corner. The conversion was missed. 3-5. In the build-up to the try, Simon LOCKWOOD sustained a bloody nose and he was replaced by Mark GARSIDE who went into the centre with Travis DENWOOD moving to the wing. Just before the break, Heath were awarded a kickable penalty some 25 metres out but the kick hit the post and rebounded into play. This caused panic in the Salem defence and Heath managed to steal the ball at the breakdown. The forwards pressed on the Salem line but the pressure was relieved by Salem and the half time whistle sounded. Prop Rick CARTER was replaced by Roger HAMMOND at half time. After 47 minutes, Heath made further changes with young prop, Lewis FISHER replacing Olly COOK in the front row and Joe SHIPMAN replacing colt Steven RICHARDSON in the back row. The home side were beginning to exert pressure on their opponents with some penetrating runs in midfield by Mark GARSIDE getting them on the front foot and Heath were now looking a more potent attacking unit. They were awarded a penalty some 35 metres out after 55 minutes but a decision was made to run the ball when it could have been prudent to have taken the 3 points in order to get their noses in front. Shortly afterwards, the home side were awarded a further penalty some 25 metres out but Eddie CARTWRIGHTs’ attempt was poorly struck and it hit the crossbar and the ball was cleared. However, the home sides’ pressure eventually told in the 67th minute when the pack made a number of drives near to the Salem line and when the ball was released to the backs, the ball found Joe SHIPMAN who took the tackle before slipping an excellent pass to right winger, Josh LISTER. He still had work to do but he wrong-footed 3 covering defenders with an incisive cut inside to score an excellent, well-deserved try. The difficult conversion was missed. 8-5. Salem came back at Heath and performed a well-worked move in midfield bringing in the right winger who cut through the first line of defence but his run was stopped and turnover ball was kicked downfield by Josh LISTER. Good chasing by Josh and Mark GARSIDE caught the full back in possession and resulted in an attacking scrum on the Salem ‘22’. Karl RABY received a leg injury but he played on for several more minutes before being replaced by Emlyn JAMES. After 78 minutes, Salem were awarded a kickable penalty but they decided to go for the try. A quick tap was taken and subsequently disrupted by Emlyn JAMES which led to a defending scrum on the Heath ‘22’. The danger was well dealt with by the home defence. Salem continued to exert pressure on the home line but the Heath defence secured good turnover ball which resulted in a 50 metre kick downfield from Emlyn JAMES which was well chased by Mark GARSIDE and Josh LISTER. They caught the full back in possession and an attacking scrum 15 metres out from the Salem line resulted. This came to nought but the full time whistle followed. Final score 8 v 5. This was an excellent performance from the Heath boys who showed fight and determination throughout. Their defence was good and the forwards were powering into the rucks leading to a number of turnover situations. The team had a good mix of experience and youth with 5 colts and a total of 10 players aged under 23 years taking part. Man of the match awards go to wing forward, James LORD who ran his socks off all afternoon and put in some excellent tackles and was constantly in the faces of the opposition and full back, young COOKIE who had an excellent game putting in some good tackles and long clearance kicks to touch. However, all 20 players deserve credit for a very good team performance.