Up against a well-drilled side.

Heath 2nd xv travelled to West Leeds for a league game on a cold but dry afternoon. Heath got the game underway and made a promising start when left winger John ALLINSON took the ball on the full from the kick off and made good ground before offloading. Unfortunately, the ball was taken by a retreating West Leeds forward and the home side cleared their lines. After 3 minutes, West Leeds took the lead when they scored a converted try under the posts. 0-7. The gap was further increased after 10 minutes when Heath had a 5 metres defending scrum and the ball quickly came out of the side of the scrum and the opposing scrum half was able to pick it up and ground it for a further converted try. 0-14. Heath then showed good spirit when they put the home line under considerable pressure and were unfortunate not to be awarded a try when hooker, Ian CRAIGEN, picked the ball up at the rear of a ruck and grounded it over the line, only for the referee to award an attacking scrum. Heath continued to press and were rewarded with a penalty 20 metres out in front of the posts which outside half, Eddie CARTWRIGHT converted. 3 – 14 after 15 minutes. West Leeds took play back into the Heath half and after 21 minutes they added to their tally with a try by the right winger in the corner after a good run from the centre. An excellent conversion followed. 3 – 21. Heath then dug in and the only addition to the score before the half time whistle was a penalty converted by the West Leeds outside half. 3 – 24 at the break. After 42 minutes, second row, Barry SYKES left the field with a back injury to be replaced by Gareth CRAWSHAW. This led to a reshuffle with skipper Andy WHITE going to wing forward from centre; James LORD moving to the second row from the flank; John ALLINSON moved into the centre with Gareth taking up a position on the left wing. The game became somewhat of a stalemate with the only real scoring opportunity being missed by West Leeds when they were awarded a kickable penalty to the side of the posts but the reliable kicker hit the post and Heath were able to clear. Eddie CARTWRIGHT then flyhacked the ball downfield and the pressure on the home defence led to a Heath penalty. The ball was kicked to the corner for an attacking lineout but the ball was knocked – on in the lineout and the chance had gone. The second half was scoreless up to the 68th minute when the home full back ran a good line to score a try near the corner flag. The conversion was missed. 3 – 29. From the kick off, the ball was spun down the line and although full back, Matthew COOK, put in a good tackle on the left winger, the ball was retained and the number 8 scored a try under the posts which was converted. 3 – 36 after 70 minutes. Heath then showed enterprise when they took a quick line out on their ‘22’ and Eddie CARTWRIGHT made a good break. A penalty was received and a quick tap allowed Andy WHITE the chance to make a good break taking play up to the home ‘22’. He was able to offload and wing forward, Steven RICHARDSON made ground before passing inside to scrum half, Gary PIDGEON who flipped out a pass to John ALLINSON who, unfortunately, knocked on some 5 metres short of the line. After 78 minutes, the West Leeds full back beat 3-4 defenders on a good run. He then came face to face with Eddie CARTWRIGHT and he dipped his shoulder just as Eddie was going to tackle him but Eddie stood firm and made an excellent tackle. The ball was eventually recycled and a further unconverted try was scored near the corner. 3 – 41. The left winger then scored a further unconverted try with the last play of the game. Final score. 3 – 46. Heath came up against a well – organised, well – drilled, confident side who played a good style of rugby. Man of the match awards go to left winger John ALLINSON who had a very good game, particularly in the first half, putting in some excellent tackles and showing good strength when carrying the ball. Wing forward, James LORD, put in a good performance with some good tackling and getting into the faces of the opposition.