Tight, but back to winning ways.

Heath 2nd xv played hosts to their Wath counterparts, in a league game that was always going to prove difficult against opposition who had lost only one previous game this season. Heath started the game well, playing at a good tempo, and they certainly gained the upperhand in the early exchanges. Heath deservedly opened the scoring in the 6th minute. The ball was kicked downfield by Wath and it was collected by Matthew COOK, at fullback, who ran the ball back. The ball found its way to his older brother, Oliver, who knocked a couple of would-be tacklers away before offloading it. Heath then took a foothold in the Wath ‘22’ and the ball was passed through a number of players before wing forward, Oliver COLLINGE, drew the fullback and passed outside to right winger, Liam HAY, who ran behind the posts for a well-taken try. Matthew COOK kicked the conversion. 7 – 0. Wath then began to put the home side under pressure, particularly in the set scrum and they dominated the next 5-7 minutes of play. However, Heath were able to clear their lines and when the ball was kicked into the Heath ‘22’, centre, Andy WHITE, made ground before putting in an excellent kick that found touch some 10 metres from the Wath line. Although Wath took clean ball at the ensuing lineout, it was kicked downfield where it was well taken by Liam HAY, who ran the ball back with interest. When he was eventually tackled, the referee, Rodney LOWE, awarded Heath a penalty and Matthew COOK made no mistake directly in front of the posts some 20 metres out. 10 – 0 after 17 minutes. After 22 minutes, Wath had the opportunity to open their account with a penalty to the right of the posts on the ‘22’ but the kick was wide. However, 3 minutes later, they were awarded a further penalty, directly in front of the posts, that was successfully converted. 10 – 3. The game was still very even and both defences were on top. However, Heath managed to win an attacking lineout in the Wath ‘22’. An excellent catch and drive saw them trundle some 15 metres towards the Wath line. The ball was released to the backs where Liam HAY came into the line at pace. He was tackled short and was adjudged to have knocked the ball forwards in the tackle. Heath then took the ball against the head and, after a drive by the forwards, outside half, Tom COLLINGE threw out a long pass which found Andy WHITE who made ground before passing to left winger, Martyn BARNES, who scored a good try in the corner. The conversion was missed. 15 – 3 after 35 minutes. Wath then came back into the game in injury time when they won a scrum on the Heath ‘22’ and the number 8 picked up and ran straight at the try line. Wing forward, Richard DANCE, was able to knock the ball–carrier sideways with an excellent tackle but the ball was recycled and it was passed down the line to the left where a try was scored in the corner. An excellent conversion followed. 15 – 10. The half time whistle followed shortly afterwards. Hooker Gareth OWEN left the field at the interval to be replaced by Rick CARTER who went to prop with Roger HAMMOND moving to hooker. Wath started the second half with purpose and when they got into the home ‘22’ the winger looked a certain scorer until Matthew COOK pulled off an excellent try-saving tackle and knocked his opponent back in the process. Heath were then able to clear the ball up to the halfway line. After 49 minutes, second row, Barry SYKES, left the field with an injury picked up in the first half. He was replaced in the second row by 3rd team captain, Dan INGHAM. After 54 minutes, left winger, Martyn BARNES left the field to be replaced by Josh LISTER. Heath appeared to have weathered the early pressure from Wath and made their way into the Wath ‘22’. They had an attacking lineout some 5 metres out and although the lineout was lost, captain and number 8, Emlyn JAMES rescued the ball and the forwards tried to drive it over the line. The ball was eventually passed down the line and a defending throw-in on the 5 metres line was the result. After 64 minutes, Heath were awarded a penalty in the Wath ‘22’ which was converted by Matthew COOK. This now gave Heath a bit of a cushion and a lead of 18 – 10. Heath appeared to be heading for victory but Wath then upped their game in the last ten minutes and put the home side under pressure in the set scrums. Heath survived one scare when a Wath player drove towards the try line in the corner and although he was able to ground the ball before hitting the corner flag, the home side were awarded a 5 metres scrum. The scrum was reset 3 times and on the last occasion, the Wath pack drove the Heath pack backwards at speed. The ball had been hooked back by the home side but it popped out of the side and it was touched down over the line for an unconverted try. 18 – 15 after 77 minutes. Heath kicked off and were able to keep Wath contained in their half of the pitch. They were awarded a kickable penalty but decided to run the ball in with the forwards. Dan INGHAM was stopped just short of the line and this led to the awarding of a scrum to Wath. The Heath defence stood solid and the referee brought the game to an end. Final score: Heath 18 v 15 Wath. This was a very good performance by Heath on the back of 2 heavy defeats against West Leeds and Wheatley Hills. All 18 players come out of the game with credit and reward for their efforts. Man of the match awards go to fullback Matthew COOK who put in an excellent performance with safe hands, a good kicking game and also putting in some very good tackles; and, in the forwards, captain Emlyn JAMES had a massive game at number 8. He cleaned up at the back of a retreating scrum regularly and got the home side going forwards with some bullocking runs.