Another good Team performance brings the Win.

Heath 2nd xv entertained local rivals, Old Crossleyans 2nd xv, at West Vale in a friendly fixture played on a dry but overcast day. The game started with uncontested scrums as Crocs could not provide a front row and Sid HYNES played for Crocs as they only had 14 players. In the first 10 minutes, Crocs took the game to Heath but the Heath defence was solid and rebuffed all attempts to open the scoring. Heath then got back into the game but the flow of play was regularly interrupted by poor handling by both sides. After 30 minutes play there was still no score and Heath were beginning to suffer on the injury front. Andy WHITE, Tom COLLINGE and Craig HEPPENSTALL all left the field of play with various injuries and Roger HAMMOND came off to be replaced by the returning Steve RICHARDSON. After 33 minutes, the deadlock was broken when Crocs dropped the ball on their own 10 metres line. The ball was picked up by captain for the day, Paddy KERR, who made good ground before passing inside to the supporting flanker, Matthew WILKINSON. He was stopped just short of the line. Ball was recycled at the ruck and full back, Anthony DARLING was in hand to pick up at the base of the ruck and place the ball over the try line. The conversion was missed by Mick GLEESON. 5 – 0 After 36 minutes, the Crocs dropped the ball once more on their 10 metres line. This time, hooker Martyn BARNES kicked the ball towards the Crocs ‘22’, Matthew WILKINSON was first to the ball. He picked it up skilfully and sprinted to the line for a try well converted by Mick GLEESON. 12 – 0 On the stroke of half time, Heath were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and Mick GLEESON made no mistake with the kick. 15 – 0 Half time: Heath 15 v 0 Old Crossleyans. It was a very even first half with the difference being Heaths ability to capitalise on 2 mistakes by Crocs. Crocs started the second half on the front foot and had 2 scoring opportunities in quick succession but they dropped the ball over the Heath line and the home side was able to clear their lines. After 51 minutes, Heath managed to get into the Crocs half for the first time in the second period. After 55 minutes, Crocs were rewarded for their dominance with a well – executed try. They got the ball just outside their ‘22’ and the centre ran a good line and he sliced through the Heath defence. He took the ball all the way up to the Heath ‘22’ when he passed outside to the supporting number 8 who scored under the posts. The try was converted. 15 – 7 and game now well and truly on. After 61 minutes, Heath extended their lead with a converted try after some good play by both forwards and backs. Winger Jason BAXTER took a high ball and ran infield where he popped the ball inside to Tom COLLINGE. He made ground before passing to young Joe HOLDSWORTH on the left wing. He ran well with the ball before passing to Tobias HINCHLIFFE. He was stopped a few metres from the Crocs line. The ball was recycled quickly and Richard DANCE drove for the line. After being halted just short of the line, the ball came back to JOHN BAGLEY who drove over from 5 metres to score his first try for the club. Mick GLEESON converted. 22 – 7 After 66 minutes, the home side scored a further try when Crocs tried running the ball from their own ‘22’. The ball went to ground and Anthony DARLING picked up the loose ball to scamper over the line for a try converted by Mick GLEESON. 29 – 7. The Crocs side was now looking down in the dumps and the home side was looking to inflict further pain on their opposition. After 68 minutes, Mick GLEESON made a good break. He found the ever-supporting Matthew WILKINSON who made ground before being tackled. The ball was turned over by Crocs but then immediately turned back over by Heath. After a couple of drives, flanker Matt DAY took the ball and scored behind the posts. The try was converted by Mick GLEESON. 36 – 7 After 78 minutes, Crocs had a further chance to score but the final pass was spilled and Mick GLEESON put in a long spiralling kick to touch. Shortly afterwards, referee Nick LEADBEATER brought the game to an end. Final score: Heath 2nd xv 36 – 7 Old Crossleyans 2nd xv This was a game which has a slightly flattering score line for Heath. The main difference between the sides was that Heath took their chances when they presented themselves whereas Crocs faltered when they had chances to score. Also, the fitness level of the home side was higher than their opponents. Overall, this was a good performance by Heath who, even with all the weekly changes that are expected at 2nd xv level, are gelling together and playing as a unit. This has to be put down to the fact that a large number of the 2nd xv squad are now training together on a regular basis. There was a number of good performances during the game with youngsters Matthew WILKINSON and Joe HOLDSWORTH settling well into senior rugby. Man of the match awards go to Martyn BARNES in the forwards who is playing in a new position at hooker and is enjoying the role, being excellent in the loose both in attack and defence ; and, in the backs, young scrum half, Michael REYNOLDS, continues to excel in the link between backs and forwards. He is growing in confidence by the game and is proving to be a tenacious, skilful addition to the 2nd xv this season.