A disjointed display still produces 5 points.

Heath welcomed bottom of the table Acklam looking to complete a hat-trick of victories and climb further away from the relegation zone. From the kick off Heath were on the attack immediately, following a surging run from Rob Thackray and a great cross-kick from Ezra Hinchliffe. However, it was Acklam who drew first blood with a penalty on 8 mins when Heath were found offside: 0 – 3 to the visitors. Heath came back but were making too many mistakes with dropped passes galore, but on 18 mins good passing along the line saw Thackray held up and Neilly in support went over for Heath’s first try. This was unconverted but Heath led 5 – 3. From the re-start a mistake from try-scorer Neilly allowed Acklam to attack and when Walsh attempted a clearance his kick was charged down for Acklam to score a simple (unconverted) try on 24 mins to restore their lead: 5 – 8. Heath attacked again and Walsh tried to atone for his mistake with a clever pass to Hamish Pratt who got over the try-line but was held up, on 26 mins. From the scrum, Ian Downsborough tried his luck but lost the ball and Acklam survived. Sam Pollard and Ewan Miller were becoming influential and Alec Cust made yardage as Heath re-grouped. Nevertheless, it was Acklam who finished the first half on the attack as Heath struggled to string anything together and the half-time whistle was very welcome. This had been a disappointing half, from Heath’s point of view. Matt Hallett came on for Cameron Ramsden at fullback and Olly Cook for Jake McFadden at prop, for the start of the second half. Following a ‘rocket’ from coach Kevin Plant, Heath started the second half like they meant business! Hallett made an immediate impact on the game. On 45 mins, Chris Moore picked up a loose ball to release Thackray again. He was tackled on the half-way line but Ian Downsborough was in support and he powered towards the try-line, handing off attempted tacklers before scoring Heath’s second try, converted by Hinchliffe for Heath to regain the lead: 12 – 8. Sustained pressure followed by the home team and when penalties came many people wanted points. Heath were determined to score tries and after several scrums up popped Downsborough for his second try, converted by Hinchliffe: 19 – 8. Heath were becoming dominant now and from a lineout won by Ryan Hunter, Mark Puttick was able to nip in for the fourth (and bonus-point) try: 24 – 8 on 56 mins. Undeterred, Acklam came back and went over for a try on 65 mins, which was converted to reduce the deficit: 24 – 15. Heath then stormed back on the attack intent on putting the game to bed. Walsh made a break and kicked the ball through but was tackled off the ball on 74 mins. The penalty award was put into touch, the lineout won and there was a concerted drive for the line. Acklam held them up but constant pressure saw Pollard make a challenging run. He was supported by Walsh, Miller and Downsborough and, when he could have scored himself, he unselfishly passed to Darren Neilly who made an extravagant dive to score his second try. Hinchliffe converted and Heath were home at 31 – 15. Acklam kept battling until the final whistle and scored another try as time ran out. This was converted to produce a final score of 31 – 22. This had been a disjointed display from the Heath team with little fluidity but they came out with a 5-point league victory which ought to ensure another season in Yorkshire One.