Stalwart performance brings a high score.

Heath 2nd xv travelled to take on Skipton 2nd xv in a league game on a cold, dry afternoon. Heath travelled with 16 players only and lent Skipton Michael DODD as they were short of players. Heath started well and opened their account after 3 minutes. Outside half, Eddie CARTWRIGHT, got the ball in midfield and made a break before passing to the supporting centre, Cameron RAMSDEN, who was tackled just short of the line but managed to ground the ball for a try which was converted by Eddie CARTWRIGHT. 7 – 0. The lead was increased after 6 minutes when a stray pass from Skipton went to ground where it was picked up by Cameron RAMSDEN who passed to fellow centre, Alex REDFERN who showed pace and strength to score 20 metres to the side of the posts. The conversion was missed. 12 – 0. After 12 minutes, Skipton got on the scoreboard when they converted a penalty from in front of the posts some 20 metres out. 12 – 3. Although Heath were bossing play when the backs were in possession, they were experiencing problems in the pack. Due to a lack of available players in the forwards, Gareth OWEN volunteered his services at prop having never experienced the delights of the front row before and normal centre, Andy WHITE, played at number 8 with Gareth CRAWSHAW, another back, playing flanker. Therefore, they were under pressure in scrums and lineouts. After 21 minutes, Eddie CARTWRIGHT saw space out wide on Heaths’ right hand side and put in an excellent kick which was chased down by Andy WHITE and right winger, Bradley WEATHERHEAD who, unfortunately, knocked the ball forwards in his attempt to pick it up. From the resulting scrum, Heath hooker, Richard SLADDIN, took the ball against the head and it was passed out and after a couple of drives, Eddie CARTWRIGHT ghosted in at the corner for a well taken try which he duly converted himself. 19 – 3. Skipton came back at Heath and were able to take a foothold in the visitor’s ‘22’. After running a couple of penalties, they drove the ball to the line and when it was recycled, their big 2nd rower ploughed over the line from 5 metres. The try was converted. 19 – 10 after 31 minutes. Heath came straight back at Skipton. A long kick downfield was well taken by full back, Tom COLLINGE. He opened out play and Eddie CARTWRIGHT went on a jinking run down the left before chipping over the defence into the home ‘22’. The ball was bobbling about and Steve RICHARDSON kicked it towards the try line where Andy WHITE picked it up and plunged over for a try - converted by Eddie CARTWRIGHT. 26 – 10 after 33 minutes. After 38 minutes, Heath set up a ruck on their own line. The ball was won but it went loose and a Skipton player picked it up and placed it over the line for a gifted try which was well converted. 26 – 17. The half time whistle followed shortly afterwards. Half time: Skipton 17 v 26 Heath. At half time, Andy WHITE left the field of play having received a blow to the head just before the interval and Heath started the second half with 14 players. They had the advantage of a strong wind behind them in the second half and, as long as the backs received the ball, then further tries were likely to follow. After 43 minutes, Heath looked like extending their lead when Edidie CARTWRIGHT set off on a good run down the left. He had sucked in the defence and slipped the ball inside to left winger, Richard ARMSTRONG, who juggled with it before eventually losing possession resulting in a Skipton scrum on their ‘22’. Heath could not initially impose themselves on the opposition but, after 51 minutes, they scored a good try. Gareth OWEN got the ball in midfield and passed it out to Alex REDFERN who jinked his way past several defenders before scoring a good try by the posts. Eddie CARTWRIGHT converted. 33 – 17 After 57 minutes the Skipton outside half cleared from his ‘22’ but the ball was taken on the full by Tom COLLINGE some 40 metres out. He immediately passed it to second row, Karl RABY, who brushed off a couple of challenges before scoring near the corner. The try was well converted by Eddie CARTWRIGHT. 40 – 17 Three minutes later, Cameron RAMSDEN made a good break and when he was tackled, he offloaded the ball to Eddie CARTWRIGHT who ran down the right flank before then kicking it into the ‘In goal’ area where he won the race to score a well-executed try. The conversion was unsuccessful. 45 – 17 After 63 minutes, Alex REDFERN set off on an excellent mazy run showing pace and strength. He was eventually tackled in the home ‘22’ but offloaded to the supporting Cameron RAMSDEN who scored under the posts. Eddie CARTWRIGHT added the extras. 52 – 17 After 67 minutes, Alex REDFERN set off on another exciting run and when tackled in the Skipton ‘22’, he passed to Gareth OWEN who ran behind the posts for a good try converted by Eddie CARTWRIGHT. 59 – 17. Heath then dropped the intensity of their play and allowed the home side to dictate proceedings in the latter stages of the game. Skipton gained reward for their efforts with a further unconverted try after 76 minutes. 59 – 22 Referee Richard LEACH brought the game to an end shortly afterwards. Final score: Skipton 22 v 59 Heath The main difference between the 2 teams was the excellent backline of Heath who dominated proceedings. However, credit must also be given to the cobbled-together pack who performed admirably in the circumstances. Man of the match awards go to centre Alex REDFERN who put in an excellent display in both attack and defence. He is a strong, pacy young player who runs excellent lines and tackles strongly; and, in the forwards, flanker Kofi BROBBEY who put in a very mature performance for a 17 years old youngster. He was outstanding in both attack and defence and had to play at number 8 in the second half when Heath were down to 14 and under even more pressure in the scrums but performed creditably. Skipton fed the big second rower regularly from the breakdown and Kofi invariably was the player who met him head on and stopped his progress every time.