Pipped at the Post.

Heath 2nd xv made the short journey to take on Huddersfield 3rd xv in a league game showing 7 changes from the side selected. The game was played on the 1st xv pitch on a sunny, blustery afternoon. Due to the late arrival of second row, Barry SYKES, Alf BAXTER had to start the game in the pack. Fortunately, Barry arrived shortly after kick off and Alf returned to the sidelines. Heath settled well and it was the away side who opened the scoring after 9 minutes. They were awarded a penalty some 45 metres out straight in front of the posts. Full back, Matthew COOK, stroked the ball between the uprights. 3 – 0. This lead was increased after 13 minutes when Huddersfield dropped the ball on their left. Outside half, Eddie CARTWRIGHT, picked up the ball and made a break before passing to right winger, ‘Blue’ LISTER. He ran with purpose and drew the full back before passing back inside for Eddie to take the pass and sprint behind the posts for a well – taken try which was duly converted by Matthew COOK. 10 – 0. The only real problem being faced, at this stage, by Heath was the bright sun which was shining directly into their eyes. Huddersfield used the sun to their advantage and the high ball was causing problems. However, the kicks were kicked reasonably deep allowing, predominantly, Matthew COOK to be able to retrieve the ball after it had bounced. The Heath tackling was excellent and the backs were running the ball well whenever possible. The home sides’ attacking options continued to be nullified by the Heath lads until the 26th minute when Huddersfield gained an attacking lineout on the Heath ‘22’. They won the ball and the outside dummied to the inside centre before offloading to the full back who cut a superb line to go under the posts for a very well – executed try which was converted. 10 – 7. Heath did not take a backwards step and the game was still well – balanced when, after 31 minutes, second row, Paddy KERR, was passed the ball near the touchline on halfway. He made good ground and when he was held at the ‘22’ metre line, he passed the ball back inside to the supporting number 8, Emlyn JAMES, who was able to hold off a couple of attempted tackles to force his way over in the corner. The conversion was missed. 15 – 7. Half time was reached with no further addition to the score and Heath could feel well and truly satisfied with the first 40 minutes. However, their satisfaction was short – lived when the kick off was knocked – on just outside the Heath ‘22’. From the resulting scrum, Huddersfield took clean ball and the centre made a good break before passing inside to a supporting player who scored behind the posts. The try was converted. 15 – 14 after 41 minutes. The Heath pack was continuing to play well as a unit but frustration was growing with Huddersfield continually ensuring that slow ball from the breakdown would follow, by fair means or foul. However, referee, James ROBERTS was penalising the home side where appropriate and it was from one such penalty, some 40 metres out halfway between the posts and the touchline, that Matthew COOK increased the Heath lead to 18 – 14 after 51 minutes. Within 3 minutes, Matthew COOK had the opportunity to further increase the lead from a penalty some 35 metres out and just to the side of the posts. Unfortunately, the ball stayed to the right of the sticks. Will NICHOLSON then replaced Martyn BARNES in the back row, the latter having to leave the field with a groin injury. Huddersfield continued to kill the ball at the breakdown and after 58 minutes, the home centre was despatched to the sin bin for 10 minutes. From the resulting penalty, a decision was taken to kick for touch rather than trying to get 3 points which would allow the Heath side the cushion of a score. Although the lineout was won, this phase of play came to nought. After 66 minutes, Heath were dealt a blow when centre, Andy WHITE had to leave the pitch with a broken finger. Martyn BARNES returned to the action on the left wing with ‘Blue’ moving to full back and young COOKIE to centre to partner skipper, Martin SHAW. The Huddersfield centre made another good break and it took an excellent smother tackle from Martin SHAW to halt him in his tracks. As time progressed, Heath were finding themselves defending . That said, their defence was excellent and they were preventing Huddersfield entering the Heath ‘22’. After 72 minutes, it was the away side who had chance to seal the game. Emlyn JAMES got the ball just outside the Heath ‘22’ and gave the ball a mighty boot downfield. ‘Blue’ LISTER and his younger brother, Kyle, making his full debut on the wing were then involved in a foot chase with the Huddersfield winger and full back. The 2 defenders failed to secure the ball and it was hacked on by ‘Blue’ over the try line. He would have got the touchdown but for it just rolling over the dead ball line before he had chance to ground the ball. There was several minutes to add on at the end of the 80 minutes due to a number of injury breaks. Deep into injury time, Huddersfield won lineout ball on the Heath ‘22’. The ball was passed down the line and the replacement centre ran through the Heath defence for a decisive try under the posts. This was converted. 18 – 21. There was insufficient time left for Heath to create a promising attacking position and the referee brought the game to an end. Final score: Huddersfield 21 v 18 Heath. This was a game which was played in a good spirit between two evenly matched sides. From the sidelines, as time progressed, it always looked as if Heath could come away with an excellent victory only to be deflated by the decisive score in injury time. Man of the match awards go to number 8, Emlyn JAMES, who looked like his old self with a strong performance. He was continually putting Heath over the gain line and was rewarded with a very good try. The backs award goes to winger, ‘Blue’ LISTER whose appearances are sporadic due to his university studies. He put in some excellent runs along the wing; tackled well and was close to scoring a try near the end of the game. Although man of the match awards have been given, this was a game where all 17 players gave their all for the cause on Saturday afternoon and all deserve congratulations for their 100% effort during the game. Just a quick mention for young debutant Kyle LISTER who had a very solid game in both attack and defence and certainly did not look out of place. Well done, Kyle.