The best team won but, Not without a fight!

Heath 2nd XV entertained Bradford Salem 2nd XV at West Vale on a dull, misty afternoon in a league game. The game did not start well for the home side when the Salem full back entered the line after a scrum on the Heath ‘22’ and he scored in the corner. The conversion was missed. 0 – 5. Salem were looking very organised and dangerous on the attack and it came as no surprise when they increased their lead after 8 minutes when the full back entered the line once again and scored a try under the posts converted by himself. 0 – 12 after 8 minutes. Heath replied with a well taken try. After 14 minutes, they received a penalty on the opposition ‘22’. They found touch and after winning the resulting line out, the ball was passed down the line. Jacob Storey at 10 made ground before being tackled. The ball was recycled and was passed down the line once more. Centre Gareth WEBB made ground before passing outside to the supporting Jacob STOREY who threw out an excellent pass to full back, Craig HEPPENSTALL who scored in the corner,. The conversion was just short. 5 – 12 Heath kept up their good work when, from a Salem lineout on the home ‘22’, prop Gareth OWEN got the ball at the front of the lineout. He made 2o metres before passing on to scrum half Colin HEWISON. He made good ground before finding prop, Paddy KERR. The move came to nought but it got the Heath boys into the Salem ‘22’. Salem came back and after 25 minutes they increased their lead with an unconverted try in the corner. 5 – 17. The game was well contested for the next 10 minutes before Heath then got on top and were playing in the Salem ‘22’. However, they were unable to breach a very good defence and referee, Nick LEADBEATER, blew the whistle to signal half time. Half time: Heath 2nd XV 5 v 17 Bradford Salem 2ndXV During the break, Alf BLACKHALL and Kyle ADAMSON replaced wingers, Michael DODD and Jason BAXTER. After 44 minutes, full back, Craig HEPPENSTALL left the field with a leg injury to be replaced by Michael DODD who took up a position on the wing with Kyle ADAMSON moving to 15. After 48 minutes, the ever-dangerous Salem full back came into the line and made a break before linking – up with the number 8 who scored between the posts. The try was converted. 5 – 24 After 60 minutes, Heath were gifted a try when Salem threw out a loose pass which was taken by Gareth WEBB who sprinted to the line. Jacob STOREY converted. 12 – 24. At this point, centre Mark GARSIDE left the field to be replaced by Jason BAXTER who went on the wing with Alf BLACKHALL moving inside to centre. Salem continued to dictate play. However, Heath had a good spell of 8 minutes rugby in the Salem ‘22’ but were unable to cross the line. Salem scored a further 3 converted tries to bring the score to 12 – 45 and there was a matter of seconds only left when Heath were awarded a penalty in the Salem ‘22’. They took a scrum which was now uncontested due to the departure some minutes previous of prop, Paddy KERR. Heath won the ball and Jacob STOREY ran well breaking the gain line before slipping nout the ball to the supporting flanker, James WHITWORTH who scored near the corner flag. Ryan HUNTER missed the conversion and the referee blew for ‘No side’ Final score: Heath 2nd XV 17 v 47 Bradford Salem 2nd XV This was a game where the best team won. However, Heath never took a backwards step and created chances which were rebuffed by a very good Salem defence. Man of the match awards go to Nick SZADBY who played in the unaccustomed role of number 8. He was under pressure at scrums and cleaned up a lot of poor ball at the base of the scrum on numerous occasions. In the backs, outside half, Jacob STOREY put in an excellent display both in attack and defence.