A Well-deserved Victory.

Heath 2nd xv resumed league duties on Saturday when they entertained Baildon 2nd xv at West Vale on a fine, sunny afternoon. Heath took to the field with a mixture of youth and experience in a well-balanced side but it was the visitors who made the better start putting the home side under pressure from the kick off. However, Heath weathered the initial storm and took a strike against the head at the first scrum. The Heath forwards continued domination in both set and loose play as the game progressed and got their rewards after 16 minutes when they gained a foothold in the Baildon ‘22’ and carried out a number of ‘pick and drives’ before the ball was spun out to the backs where centre, Martin SHAW dummied outside and went over for a try. Full back, Matthew COOK, narrowly failed with the conversion. 5 – 0. Heath continued in the ascendancy and increased their lead after 28 minutes when they were awarded several penalties within the Baildon ‘22’ before kicking to touch and when second row, Richard DANCE, won good ball at the lineout, it was passed out to outside half and captain for the day, Mick GLEESON, who dummied his way over from 15 metres. Matthew COOK provided the extras. 12 – 0. After 30 minutes, Matthew COOK took a long kick just outside his own ‘22’ and made good ground before putting in a superb kick which led to a Baildon lineout in their own ‘22’. Heath remained in the opposition ‘22’ and were rewarded for their efforts with a penalty for offside which was converted by Matthew COOK. 15 – 0 after 34 minutes. The home forwards maintained the upperhand and after a good number of forward drives in the Baildon ‘22’, the ball was passed out to Mick GLEESON who had flanker, Oliver COLLINGE on his shoulder with the latter taking the short pass to run through the gap, created by sucking in the opposition through the forward drives, and score a try under the posts a la Chris ASHTON. COOKY converted. 22 – 0 after 38 minutes. The game restarted and after a long kick from Baildon led to a 22 metres drop out, Mick GLEESON kicked the ball well into the Baildon ‘22’. The subsequent line out was won by Heath and after 3 forward drives, the ball was passed out to Mick GLEESON who found Oliver COLLINGE in a carbon copy move of the one previously and Oliver scored once more but in a less extravagant manner. COOKY converted once again. 29 – 0. Half time. At the interval, young Joe COX replaced Roger HAMMOND at prop. After 43 minutes, Mick GLEESON put in a long kick into the Baildon ‘22’ which was well–chased by right winger, Kyle LISTER. The full back missed touch but Martin SHAW knocked the ball forwards. From the subsequent scrum, the Baildon outside half made a break through a couple of missed tackles to score a converted try. 29 – 7. Heath then woke up and started to dominate proceedings once again.. Play was taking place in the Baildon half and after 54 minutes, the home side were awarded a 5 metres attacking scrum.The ball was driven–in and quick recycled ball found Richard DANCE who plunged over for the try which was converted by COOKY. 36 – 7. After 58 minutes, Heath were awarded a penalty just outside the opposition ‘22’ and COOKY converted once again. 39 – 7. After 61 minutes, centre Chris MERRICK kicked a loose ball into the Baildon ‘22’. He was able to secure possession and pass the ball from the ground to the supporting Kyle LISTER who made good ground before being tackled. The ball was recycled and found hooker, Alan DOBSON who passed it back inside to Oliver COLLINGE but the ball was knocked forwards and the chance was gone. Roger HAMMOND returned to the fray replacing prop, Jim McCREADY who had made an excellent 2nd xv debut. After 65 minutes, Heath increased their lead when the ball was won at an attacking 5 metres line out. The ball was spun out to Mick GLEESON who fed Chris MERRICK who used his strength to power his way over the line for a further try converted by COOKY. 46 – 7. The home side then took their foot off the gas and the remaining 15 minutes were a stalemate until, with the last move of the match, Baildon passed the ball down their back line for the left winger to score a well-taken try in the corner. The subsequent conversion was narrowly wide. Final score: Heath 46 v 12 Baildon After the poor start to the season, this was a well –deserved victory for the Heath boys with all 16 players coming out of this game with credit. They played an excellent game with the forwards totally dominating their opposite numbers allowing the backs to use the ball to create try – scoring opportunities. In the past, the forwards would drive the ball in on a couple of occasions before trying the offload which invariably went to ground. In this game, the forwards showed patience throughout and built phases which went into double figures on a number of occasions. Man of the Match awards go to hooker, Alan DOBSON who took countless balls against the head in the scrum, threw in accurately at the line out and also put in some good drives in the loose, and scrum half, Andy WHITE. WHITEY showed his versatility when he stepped in at the unaccustomed position of scrum half and, as well as providing an excellent link between the forwards and backs, he ran at the opposition and put in some very good relieving kicks.