Costly mistake loses game.

Heath 2nd xv entertained North Ribblesdale in their penultimate league fixture on a fine, sunny afternoon at West Vale. The home side had the opportunity to open the scoring when they were awarded a penalty some 22 metres out but near to the touchline. However, outside half, Eddie CARTWRIGHT pulled the kick wide. ‘Ribb’ then took their first scoring opportunity when the young full back made good ground down the right before passing to the winger who scored an unconverted try after 4 minutes. 0 – 5. After 8 minutes, ‘Ribb’ increased their lead when another move down their right flank caused the home defence problems and missed tackles allowed a score behind the posts, which was duly converted. 0 – 12. After 14 minutes, Heath made their first real foray into ‘Ribb’ territory when the ball was passed out to centre, Martin SHAW, who made good ground before being ankle-tapped. Ball was retained and the home side were awarded an attacking scrum, which, unfortunately, came to nought. Heath continued to press and there then followed a sustained period of home pressure in the ‘Ribb’ ‘22’. A couple of penalties were awarded to the home side that took them to within 5 metres of the try line. Heath elected for a scrum and the ball was subsequently won and a two drives put them within sight of the line when the ‘Ribb’ number 6 handled the ball back from an offside position on the blind side of the referee and the ball was transferred along the line and play went all the way upfield to the Heath 10 metre line and the chance had gone. After 22 minutes, second row, Ryan HUNTER had to leave the field with a cut under his right eye to be replaced by young Stuart NELSON who went into the back row with Martin PARKER moving up into the second row. After 32 minutes, centre Mark GARSIDE was involved in a scuffle with his opposite number leading to the ‘Ribb’ player receiving a yellow card but Mark GARSIDE being sent from the field of play. Second row, Richard DANCE, came out of the pack to play in the centre and Steven RICHARDSON moved from flanker to the second row. Heath had played poorly up to this point but then they upped their game and were awarded for their efforts with a converted try just before half time. Penalties were awarded to Heath in the ‘Ribb’ ‘22’ and from one such penalty, quick-thinking scrum half, Gary PIDGEON, took a tap and scampered over by the side of the posts. The try was converted by Eddie CARTWRIGHT. Half time 7 – 12. Left winger, Matthew BAXENDALE was replaced by Jon KERSHAW during the interval. Heath would now have to dig–in if they were going to be able to remain competitive in the match. However, after 49 minutes ‘Ribb’ increased their lead with an unconverted try. They won a 5 metre attacking scrum and the initial drive was stopped by Heath and a ruck ensued. The ‘Ribb’ second row forward made a dummy run past the ruck and remained in an offside position on the Heath side. A ‘Ribb’ forward then picked the ball up and ran and scored a try at the side of his team-mate who was still occupying an offside position. 7 – 17. Shortly afterwards, Steven RICHARDSON left the field and Richard DANCE went to his accustomed position in the pack with Jon KERSHAW going into the centre and Heath’s secret weapon, Dan INGHAM taking up a position on the left wing. Heath continued to show their mettle and came back into the game after 56 minutes when the ‘Ribb’ defence was breached, after a breakdown in play in the ‘Ribb’ ‘22’ which was seized upon by number 8 and captain, Emlyn JAMES, who scored near the corner flag. An excellent touchline conversion by Eddie CARTWRIGHT followed. 14 – 17 and all to play for. Neither side was able to gain the upper-hand, but after 66 minutes, Heath pressure led to a well-taken drop goal by Eddie CARTWRIGHT to level the scores at 17 – 17. Stuart NELSON then left the field to give replacement Dave PIDGEON a run out with Dave ALLEN replacing Rick CARTER at prop shortly afterwards. With 4 minutes remaining and the game heading towards a draw, Heath then made a fatal error when they tried to run the ball from behind their own line. The ball went to ground and was played from an offside position which led to the correct awarding of a penalty to ‘Ribb’. This was easily converted. 17 – 20. Final score. This was a game that the home side should have won but were made to pay for their poor first half performance and having to play for 50 minutes with a man down. Man of the match awards go to scrum half, Gary PIDGEON whose prompting and enthusiasm was evident throughout making his usual sniping runs and forming an excellent link between forwards and backs; and young prop, Lewis FISHER, who has gained in both stature and confidence as the season has progressed, who put in a solid performance in the scrum and did some tidy work in the loose.