Close fought game - but the 2nds go down.

Heath 2nd xv entertained West Leeds 2nd xv on a dry, bright afternoon at West Vale. Heath had ‘beefed up’ their pack with the introduction of prop, Mike LAMASS and back row forward, ‘Jaffa’ Jones and although there was a number of withdrawals from the original team selection, the Heath lads went into the game with confidence. West Leeds had the first opportunity to open the scoring in the 2nd minute after the awarding of a penalty for offside but the kick was missed. Just before the award of the penalty, second row, Ryan HUNTER put in an excellent ‘hit’ on the opposition outside half. It was the home side that scored first in the 7th minute. From a Heath lineout, West Leeds stole the ball but it was tapped back and a wayward pass led to outside half, Eddie CARTWRIGHT securing possession before sprinting 40 metres to the line for a try which he duly converted himself. 7 – 0. It looked as if they had increased their lead shortly afterwards when West Leeds had a line out on their own 5 metres line. Although taken, second row, Richard DANCE stole the ball, which he grounded over the line for what appeared to be a good score. However, the referee awarded a penalty against the home side and West Leeds cleared the danger. Heath were showing good defence putting in some excellent tackles and winning turnover ball at the breakdown regularly. After 16 minutes, they increased their lead with a well-judged penalty from wide out by Eddie CARTWRIGHT. 10 – 0. West Leeds came back strongly and spent the next 5 minutes in the home ‘22’. However, Heath repelled the attack and almost scored themselves on the break. The ball went to ground in the Heath half and Eddie CARTWRIGHT hacked it on. Left winger, Toby HINCHCLIFFE showed good speed to follow up the kick and propel the ball forwards once again with his boot. Eddie CARTWRIGHT was first to it and chose to attempt to pick it up at speed but, unfortunately, the ball was knocked forwards and the opportunity was lost. That said, at least it got the home side away from their own line well and truly. Again. West Leeds made their way back upfield but the Heath defence was resolute. However, the away side did open their account with a penalty some 24 metres out just to the side of the posts after 36 minutes. 10 – 3. There was no addition to the score before referee, Peter FAIRLESS, brought the first half to an end. This had been a good, competitive half of rugby played between 2 evenly matched sides. No changes were made at the interval. After 43 minutes, West Leeds were unfortunate to have a player ‘sin binned’ for 10 minutes for an offence at a ruck. Eddie CARTWRIGHT was unable to further punish the opposition with a kick at goal which drifted wide. Heath continued well, building-up the phases and playing good possession rugby. However, West Leeds made their way downfield into the home ‘22’ and after a short period of pressure, the home side turned over ball and made their way up the pitch only to be brought back for verbal indiscipline towards the official which subsequently cost them 3 points with the West Leeds outside converting the penalty. 10 – 6 after 50 minutes. Heath came back well and took a foothold in the home ‘22’. They stole the home lineout ball and after several forward drives, they were awarded a penalty some 10 metres to the side of the posts. However, Eddie CARTWRIGHT pulled the kick wide. After 61 minutes, Heath surrendered their lead with a period of poor play and lack of concentration. They had good position near the halfway line and the ball was spun down the line. However, Eddie CARTWRIGHT dropped the ball and it was fly hacked towards the Heath line. Good covering by scrum half, Richard COLE, looked to have rescued the situation when he was able to kick the rolling ball into touch near the home line. West Leeds retrieved it and the lineout was not formed so they used the opportunity to find a teammate some 15 metres in from touch and he was able to score a try near the corner flag. To rub it in, the conversion was well converted. 10 – 13. At this point, 17 years old, Kyle LISTER, made his second team debut on the right wing replacing Dan INGHAM. West Leeds were now playing with confidence and they increased their lead after 65 minutes when the outside half put over a straight forward drop goal from the ‘22’ metres line. 10 – 16. Heath made a number of changes with Paddy KERR replacing Ryan HUNTER in the second row; Paul SHAW replacing Gareth OWEN at hooker and Riz MUGHAL coming on for Toby HINCHCLIFFE. Heath showed good spirit and made their way back into the West Leeds half. From a penalty, the ball was kicked towards the corner. Heath gained possession from the lineout and after several forward drives, scrum half, Richard COLE picked the ball up from the base of the ruck and burrowed his way over by the corner flag. The conversion was missed. 15 – 16 after 71 minutes. This made for an interesting last 9 minutes. However, it was West Leeds who concluded the scoring with the last kick of the game after the awarding of a penalty some 15 metres out. Final score: Heath 15 v 19 West Leeds. This was a good game played in a good spirit between two very evenly-matched sides. Man of the match awards go to wing forward, ‘Jaffa’ Jones who put in an excellent display with good tackling, some hard running and also being responsible for a number of turnover balls in the loose and winger Toby HINCHCLIFFE who had a very sound game in both attack and defence