Errors and slack play gift game to West Leeds.

Heath 2nd xv travelled to take on their West Leeds counterparts on a cool, dry afternoon in a league fixture. The game could not have started worse for the away side. West Leeds had a lineout near the Heath ‘22’; the ball was won and the outside half ran straight through the home defence without a finger being put on him. He passed to the supporting centre who passed to the right winger who scored in the corner. The conversion was missed. 0 – 5 after a minute. Heath then appeared to be settling into the game. A good interception and long kick downfield by centre, Chris MERRICK, put pressure on the home fullback who cleared downfield. This was collected by fullback, Matthew COOK who made good ground before kicking deep into the home ‘22’. The ball was returned by the fullback once more and scrum half, Tom COLLINGE passed the ball out to outside half, Eddie CARTWRIGHT, who ran the ball left and into trouble. He was tackled in an isolated position on the pitch, the ball was lost in the tackle and the home side then took possession of the ball and scored a converted try between the posts. 0 – 12 after 10 minutes. After 20 minutes, flanker Will NICHOLSON left the field with a deep cut to his chin to be replaced by Barry SYKES and shortly afterwards, the home side increased their lead to 0 – 19 with a further converted try. Barry SYKES then came off for treatment to a cut eye and number 8, John LOCK, left the field with a recurrence of the leg injury picked up a fortnight ago at Wheatley Hills. Barry returned to the field with young Michael DODD coming on as replacement for John LOCK. He slotted in on the left wing with winger, Martyn BARNES moving into the back row. Heath worked hard to get into the home ‘22’ and they got within 5 metres of the line with a score looking a distinct possibility. However, the ball was passed out to the backs where Eddie CARTWRIGHT then threw out a long pass which was intercepted. Eddie tried to make up for the error in judgement and chased the opponent but just failed in his attempt at preventing the try which was converted. 0 – 26 after 25 minutes. Heath were giving away points for fun and needed to keep hold of the ball and build phases slowly. They were able to get into the West Leeds ‘22’ as a result of the awarding of a couple of penalties and the forwards kept the ball for almost 90 seconds with a number of pick and drives. Their controlled rugby was rewarded when the ball was passed out to Chris MERRICK who took it at speed and powered over the line for a try which was well converted by Eddie CARTWRIGHT. 7 – 26 after 36 minutes. Eddie CARTWRIGHT then picked up a shoulder injury and went on the wing. Liam HAY moved inside to centre; Andy WHITE moved to fullback; Matthew Cook moved to outside half. The halftime whistle soon followed. 7 – 26. Eddie CARTWRIGHT came off at halftime and Heath had to play the second half with 14 men. Martyn BARNES moved back onto the wing from the back row. The Heath boys needed to slow the game down; build up the phases using the forwards to give them a platform to score further points. Heath started the second half well and dictated play. They used the forwards to make ground upfield and they were awarded for their efforts after 55 minutes. They were camped in the home ‘22’ and, after several drives, hooker, Gareth OWEN was held just short of the line. The ball was recycled for Barry SYKES to plough over the line for a well-deserved try. Matthew COOK missed the conversion. 12 -26 Heath then pressed the self-destruct button within a couple of minutes. Matthew COOK got the ball in his own ‘22’ and had his clearance kick charged down; the ball fell to Andy WHITE and Heath had a second chance to clear their lines but his kick was charged down into touch some 15 metres from the Heath line. From the resulting lineout, the ball was taken by the home number 8 who ran strongly to the line where he was stopped. The ball was then passed down the line and a try was scored in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful. 12 – 31 after 57 minutes. After 62 minutes, Heath were further punished when the ball was passed out to Matthew COOK in the West Leeds half; he threw out a pass without first checking to see what was happening outside and the ball was intercepted by a West Leeds back who scored a converted try under the posts. 12 – 38. After 69 minutes, centre Chris MERRICK ran the ball in well sucking in a number of opponents. The ball was quickly recycled and it was taken on by Liam HAY before being transferred to Andy WHITE who joined the line and scored a try in the corner which was converted from a difficult position by Matthew COOK. 19 – 38. Heath were unable to add to their tally before the referee, Peter HARDMAN, brought the game to an end with the final whistle. Final score: West Leeds 38 v 19 Heath. Heath were made to pay for a number of errors and slack play in general which effectively gifted the home side all of their points. When the forwards ran at their opponents then the home side looked vulnerable but unfortunately the damage had already been done in the first half. Concentration and decision making must improve before next weeks home game against a Wath side who are having a very good season. Man of the match awards go to debutant winger, Liam HAY, who tackled well and ran the ball strongly throughout the game and second row and captain for the day, Emlyn JAMES, who had a very strong game and led the forwards by example in open play.