Good win to round off season.

Heath travelled by coach to the Dales, hoping to end the season on a high note against lowly North Ribb, who only last week secured their stay in Yorkshire One with a victory at Ilkley. With only 16 players available, Heath shuffled their team about, following the late withdrawal of Rob Thackray. Dave Montgomery moved from backrow to centre and Ian Spence into the second row with the ever dependable Roger Hammond coming on to the bench. This typified the Heath season since Christmas. After making Yorkshire One status safe the team has struggled to put out a regular squad. Heath kicked off and immediately put pressure on the ‘Ribb defence, Richard Armstrong being held up over the try-line after 5 minutes. Ian Spence was making his burly presence felt and No 8, Ian Downsborough, was leading by example - winning good lineout ball and making enveloping tackles. Ribb came back into the game, but Heath’s defence was sound. It wasn’t until 25 mins that Heath had a chance to score. Ryan Hunter won good line-out ball for Cole then Charlie Lomas sent an excellent pass out to Martin White, who was tackled just 10m short of the line. Ribb managed to get the ball dead and survived the pressure. A superb kick into touch, from Cole, set up Heath’s next chance. Ribb never cleared the danger and, when Wilby won the line-out, Cole again released Lomas who saw Si Brown coming off his shoulder to score a try on 28 minutes, converted by Lomas for Heath to lead by 7 – 0. Cole was dictating play, now, with some astute kicking and Heath looked threatening. Good runs from Cook, Spence and Montgomery tested the home defence and Heath were on top. As half time approached, Ribb made a foray into the Heath 22 and came away with an unexpected score, when the visitors’ defence went to sleep, allowing Dean Stacey to go over for an easy try from a Ribb line-out. The conversion by Watson leveled the scores at 7 – 7. Heath’s response was immediate. The kick-off was won by Montgomery and after several passes Mark Puttick scythed through for a try under the posts, which Lomas converted to put Heath back in control at 14 – 7, as the referee blew for half time. Heath received the ball at the re-start and immediately put pressure on the home defence. Ribb’s first attack on 45 mins saw Cole give away a penalty in front of the posts but, surprisingly, they failed to convert this easy chance for 3 points. This seemed to shake Heath into action and good runs prompted by Moore, Montgomery and Downsborough created an overlap for Puttick to score his second try. Lomas’ conversion extended the visitors’ lead to 21 – 7 after 48 minutes. Four minutes later, a flowing move across the backs created space for Armstrong and he strode through the tackle to touch down. The conversion was missed, but Heath were 26 – 7 ahead. Ribb responded immediately and No 8 Ryan Kirkbride went over for an unconverted try on 55 mins to reduce the deficit to 26 – 12. Ribb were not done yet and prop John Thwaite went over for another try on 62 mins. This was converted by Dan Watson and the home side, roared on by their crowd, were back in the match at 26 – 19 as Heath relaxed. Heath had to get back into the game and, following a scrum on the host’s 22m, the ball eventually reached Brown, who went over for a try that LOMAS converted to ease the tension: 33 – 19 with 12 mins left. On 75 minutes, Hunter went off injured and prop Hammond entered the fray, for his final appearance in a Heath shirt. Ribb put lots of pressure on to Heath and something had to give. No. 8 Kirkbride went over for a converted try to set the score; 33 – 26 with time running out. After Cole’s last-ditch clearance the referee blew for full-time, much to the relief of the visiting supporters and coaching team. It was good to finish with a victory. Both sides earned bonus points and their positions in the league remained unchanged, with Heath 8th.