Excellent start to new season.

Heath 2nd xv started the new season with a friendly home game against their Goole counterparts on a warm, sunny afternoon. Goole got the game underway playing towards the river. The kick off was well taken by second row, Emlyn JAMES and scrum half, Richard COLE, making a return to Heath after a season at the Brods, put in a very good box kick. The Goole full back kicked the ball back into the Heath half, and the ball was passed to full back, Ben LITTLEWOOD who set off on a 50 metres weaving run before passing out to the supporting right winger, Colin HEWISON who scorfed a good try in the corner. The conversion by Ben LITTLEWOOD was successful. 7 – 0 after a minute. An excellent start to the season. The game then settled down into a fairly even contest for the next 10 minutes or so before the home side increased their lead with a well taken try. Heath were intent on utilising their strong back line and outside half, Andy WHITE, put out a long miss pass to the left which was collected by winger, Matthew BAXENDALE who galloped 50 metres along the touchline before offloading to the supporting Ben LITTLEWOOD who scored a try at the side of the posts. The successful conversion was kicked by Ben. 14 - 0. Goole opened their account with a penalty kick after 23 minutes. 14 – 3. However it was the home side who were on the scoreboard again shortly afterwards to increase their lead. The ball was kicked deep into the Goole half. The outside half ran the ball back before trying a little chip kick. The ball was well picked up by Colin HEWISON who sprinted 40 metres for a further try converted by Ben LITTLEWOOD. 21 – 3 after 27 minutes. After 29 minutes, the home side increased their lead with another well taken try by the backs. Goole kicked the ball into the Heath ‘22’ and the ball was passed from right to left quickly along the backs leaving winger, Matthew BAXENDALE with the opportunity to show his speed to score under the sticks. The try was converted once more by Ben LITTLEWOOD. 28 – 3. There was no further score in the first half and referee, Sid MATTHEWS brought the half to an end. This was a very entertaining first half from the home side perspective. Wing forward, Steve RICHARDSON, left the field with a leg injury to be replaced by Martin WHITE in an unaccustomed position for the centre. Prop Roger HAMMOND was also replaced by Rick CARTER. Goole had the early pressure in the second half and when pressing in the home ‘22’, the ball was well turned over by centre, Luke CLOGHER and Heath counter-attacked. The ball found itself in the hands of Rick CARTER who immediately shipped the ball out to hooker, David NELSON, who promptly put it back inside to Rick who knocked on with the line only a matter of 50 metres away!!!!!! Wise decision, Rick. Goole then had a period of sustained pressure in the Heath ‘22’ and they were awarded a number of penalties for offences by the pack in their attempts to counter the ‘ pick and drive ‘ tactics of the opposition. Eventually the pressure told and Goole scored an unconverted try after 52 minutes. 28 – 8. Colin HEWISON and Ben LITTLEWOOD then left the field to be replaced by Josh LISTER and Edward CARTWRIGHT respectively. Heath could not get going in the second half and it was Goole who continued to dictate proceedings. They took a foothold in the Heath ‘22’ once again and, after the awarding of 3 penalties against them, the home side saw their lead reduced when the Goole number 8 ploughed over the line for a further unconverted try. 28 – 13 and the home side needed a fillip, and quickly. From the kick off, Heath kept Goole penned in their own half. A couple of 5 metre scrums followed and from the second, Richard COLE went blind and passed the ball to right winger, Josh LISTER, who made ground before passing back inside to supporting number 8, Brook WARD, who scored a try near the corner flag. The conversion from Edward CARTWRIGHT was successful. 35 – 13 after 68 minutes. It was all Heath from now on with Matthew BAXENDALE completing another slick passing movement in the backs scoring a try which was unconverted. 40 – 13 after 72 minutes. There was time for Heath to complete the victory with another excellent piece of interpassing in the back line which saw Luke CLOGHER go over near the posts. The conversion was successful from Edward CARTWRIGHT. Sid MATTHEWS brought the game to an end. Final score - - -Heath 47 v 13 Goole. This was an excellent start to the new season by the Heath boys. The pack provided a good supply of ball to the outstanding back line who showed their class with some well executed tries. All in all, a very satisfying opening which bodes well for the future. Man of the match awards went to number 8, Brook WARD, who put the icing on a good performance with a well taken try and outside half, Andy WHITE, whose decision making and distribution was excellent throughout.