NEW LADS REFRESH THE TEAM ETHIC AND HELP A GREAT VICTORY!

Heath 2nd XV started their season with a friendly home fixture against West Leeds 2nd XV on a dry, sunny afternoon. Heath started the game on the front foot with backs and forwards doing their jobs and combining well putting together a number of ground-making phases which ended with pressure being put on the West Leeds line. However, the home side was unable to open the scoring during this period and West Leeds cleared their lines. Scrum half, Luke CUNNETT, had to leave the field after 6 minutes with a nasty-looking cut to his head being replaced by Steve GIBSON. After 10 minutes, Heath almost opened the scoring. Good lineout ball was passed along the backs where, Captain and Centre, Cameron RAMSDEN made a good break and after racing 50 metres, he passed the ball out left to the supporting Michael DODD who was dragged into touch on the West Leeds ‘22’. West Leeds made their way upfield and camped in the home ‘22’ after a couple of good breaks by their scrum half. The pressure eventually told when they were able to cross the line near the corner for an unconverted try. 0 – 5 after 18 minutes. After 25 minutes, Luke CUNNETT returned to the fray replacing Steve GIBSON. Heath continued to take the game to the opposition and after 31 minutes they got their reward. Cameron RAMSDEN made another break from deep inside the Heath half and he ran 70 metres before offloading to the supporting flanker, Kofi BROBBEY who scored a try between the posts. The conversion by outside half, Eddie CARTWRIGHT, was successful. 7 – 5. After 35 minutes the home side increased their lead with a well-taken penalty by Eddie CARTWRIGHT. 10 – 5. There was no further addition to the score before referee, Paul HIBBERT, blew for half time. During the break, right wing, Danny HOLT was replaced by Stuart ABERDEEN. Heath finished the first half on top and started the second half in the same vein. However, against the run of play, West Leeds regained the lead when a poor clearance kick from the outside half bounced in favour of the away side and the winger was able to collect the ball and sprint some 30 metres before he was well tackled by Michael DODD. The ball was kept alive and a try was scored between the posts which was easily converted by the outside half. 10 – 12 after 47 minutes. After 59 minutes, Luke CUNNETT and Steve GIBSON swapped once again and Danny HOLT replaced DODDY on the right wing. After 61 minutes, a clearance kick from the West Leeds ‘22’ reached halfway and was taken superbly on the full, and at speed, by full back, Colin HEWISON. He made ground before putting in an excellent grubber kick into space on the left where Stuart ABERDEEN showed a good turn of speed and he took the ball and beat the first defender before showing good strength to hold off the second defender just short of the try line to place the ball over the whitewash for an excellent try. The conversion was unsuccessful. 15 – 12. The 2 young wingers, Danny HOLT and Stuart ABERDEEN showed up well in attack and defence. They both ran the ball in well and were able to stay on their feet until support arrived and they also put in some good tackles. After 71 minutes, Heath extended their lead with another successful penalty by Eddie CARTWRIGHT. 18 – 12. The home side was growing with confidence as the half progressed. Heath contained West Leeds in the final minutes of the game and finished the game with another successful penalty from Eddie CARTWRIGHT immediately after which, the full time whistle blew. Final score: Heath 21 – 12 West Leeds. This was an excellent start to the season by Heath 2nds. Overall this was a very cohesive performance by the home side.. There was an energy and enthusiasm about this performance which bodes well for the rest of the season. With a number of players due to return next week then there could well be competition for places this season which is a good position to be in. A special mention must be made of the 8 players who made their debut for the 2nd xv this week. All these lads put in very encouraging performances and brought with them a refreshing hard-working team ethic. All 17 players played their part in this victory but man of the match awards go to debutant prop, Alex McFADDEN who was strong in both tight and loose and, in the backs, captain Cameron RAMSDEN who led by example in attack and defence putting in one really strong tackle which cut his opponent in two.