Close at halftime - but Heath lose out in final 40 minutes.

Heath 2nd xv made the trip to the Dales to take on Wharfedale 4ths in the first league game of the season. The game took place on a fine afternoon on a good, firm pitch. Wharfedale had 13 players at the start of the game and one of our 16 players, James WHITWORTH, started on the wing for the opposition. Heath started with 17 years old halfbacks, Ben DAVIES and Jacob STOREY and an 18 years old centre, Will MORRIS, the nephew of stalwart, Colin HEWISON who was playing on the flank. Heath played with the wind in the first half and opened their account after 3 minutes only with a well-struck penalty by full back, Matthew COOK. 0 – 3. COOKIE had chance to increase the lead with another penalty from a similar distance of 30 metres to the first penalty. However, he pulled the kick to the left and the score remained unchanged. Two more Wharfedale players then entered the field of play and James WHITWORTH came back on the replacements bench for ourselves. As the half progressed, the Heath scrum was coming under pressure in the tight against a well – drilled ‘8’. After 20 minutes the home side took the lead with a converted try. The forwards gained a foothold in the Heath ‘22’ and after a number of drives, they were able to score a try converted by ex Old Crossleyans player / coach, Jonathan DAVIES, playing at ‘10’. 7 – 3. The home pack continued to keep it tight and they scored a further unconverted try after 25 minutes when the forwards drove the Heath defence back in their own ‘22’ before forcing their way over. 12 – 3. Centre Chris BROWN had to leave the field to be replaced by James WHITWORTH. This led to a reorganisation of the team with Colin HEWISON moving to full back; COOKIE moved to centre and James went into the back row for his debut appearance. The home forwards were well on top now and a further converted try followed shortly afterwards. 19 – 3. Things went from bad to worse after 37 minutes when Heath won a Wharfedale lineout just inside the Heath ‘22’. The ball was passed back and fumbled. No one took responsibility to hold onto the ball awaiting support and the ball was passed like a hot potato and it went to ground behind the try line where a Wharfedale player was able to touch it down before the ball was fly – hacked away. The try was converted. 26 – 3. However, on the stroke of half time, Heath got themselves back into the game with a well – taken try. Wharfedale gave away 3 penalties in their own ‘22’ in quick succession. From the third penalty, the ball was passed along the backline and Colin HEWISON made the overlap and scored in the corner with the conversion superbly put between the posts by COOKIE. 26 – 10. Half time: Wharfedale 26 v 10 Heath The halftime team talk centred around getting the ball out to the backs and taking on the opposition in that department. Heath started the second half well and the halftime team talk seemed to be paying dividends as the young back line started to dictate play and make good ground. After 47 minutes, Heath won a line out on the Wharfedale ‘22’ and although the ball went loose, James WHITWORTH picked it up and sprinted 25 metres to the line without a hand being placed upon him for a try converted well by COOKIE. 26 – 17 The gap was closed even further within a couple of minutes when the ball was kicked deep by Jacob STOREY. The Wharfedale full back allowed the ball to bounce and it was taken by Will MORRIS who made good ground before being tackled. COOKIE was up in support and he then took the ball on, kicked it beyond the last defender. He then controlled the ball well with a fly hack through before pouncing on the ball over the line for a try which he was unable to convert. 26 – 22. Game on. After 53 minutes it looked like Heath was going to take the lead when Colin HEWISON took the ball in his own half. He sidestepped 3 defenders on an excellent run before throwing out a pass to right winger Luke CUNNETT who was in the clear. Unfortunately, the pass was called back by referee, Sean SMITH, as being forward. Wharfedale then reverted back to their earlier, successful tactics of keeping the ball in the forwards. Jonathan DAVIES was becoming more influential on the game and the home captain and number 8 also began to shine. After 57 minutes, Wharfedale were awarded a 5 metres scrum in the Heath ‘22’.They pushed the Heath pack backwards and the number 8 picked up to score a try which was converted. 33 – 22. After 65 minutes, Wharfedale had another 5 metres scrum and the first drives were repelled by Heath who were able to hold the player up over the line. A second scrum followed and, after a couple of drives, a forward was able to place the ball over the line for another try which was also converted. 40 – 22 It was now becoming increasingly hard for the Heath boys but, to their credit, heads did not go down and they stuck to their task. They were rewarded for their efforts with an excellent try. Second row Oliver COLLINGE secured the ball in his own ‘22’. He offloaded to second row partner, Richard DANCE who found Jacob STOREY who made good ground before the ball was passed down the line to the right. The ball was recycled and passed to the left where Colin HEWISON scored in the corner. The try was unable to be converted by COOKIE from out wide. 40 – 27 after 67 minutes. After 73 minutes, Will MORRIS left the field with a slight injury to be replaced by Mark STOREY. After 77 minutes, Heath had a scrum just outside their ‘22’. Wharfedale took the ball against the head and wheeled it well to the blind side. The number 8 picked up and broke down the blind side. He was able to hold off the attention of a couple of defenders before placing the ball over the line. The conversion was unsuccessful. 45 – 27. After 79 minutes, a Wharfedale back made a break. He was well tackled just inside the Heath ‘22’ and he lost the ball on contact. A Heath defender knocked forwards also. The ball was picked up by a Wharfedale player who ran over the line and a try was awarded when all players were expecting the game to restart with a Heath scrum from the initial knock forwards. A good conversion followed to make the final score: Wharfedale 4ths 52 v 27 Heath 2nds This was a game in which the Heath forwards were always under pressure but they stuck to their task throughout to their credit. Also, the young half back partnership looked very promising and with centre, Will MORRIS, they looked excellent, exciting prospects. Man of the Match awards go to Colin HEWISON who showed a good reading of the game when playing in the unaccustomed position of flanker and scored 2 tries in his more familiar role of full back; and, just to keep it in the family, Will MORRIS who showed speed and strength and a willingness to tackle the opposition no matter what size.