Close run result against team 2 divisions higher

1. Dance. 6. Raby 11 Holdsworth 2. Barnes 7.Dawes 12 Giraud 3. Hammond 8. Neilly 13 Blackhall 4. James 9. Reynolds 14 Hinchcliffe 12 Williams 10 Cartwright 15 Berridge Subs: Day, Szadby, Sharp, Dodd, Blackhall. On another wet afternoon at North Dean, Heath welcomed Brods on a day where conditions underfoot were once again challenging. Heath welcomed back several players who had been away at University and Brods took the chance to blood some of their Championship winnings U18 Colts, into their team. Early exchanges were even, with Brods utilising their speed and kicking accuracy in the back line to return any Heath gains, made via there stronger forwards. With a reshaped Heath backline, it took some time for the team to provide any wide ball successfully with several handling errors, however Cartwright was starting to come into the game with a series of clever kick throughs for his fellow backs to chase. Brods were winning any lineout ball, and were very quick to release their excellent centre to break the gain line and put the Heath forwards under pressure, but they held firm. Neilly and Dance had good runs stopped and then turned over by excellent rucking, but the difference in divisions was not obvious, with Heath given as good as they got. Brods eventually broke the deadlock after 20 mins, when from another well executed lineout, they kicked through for their speedy left winger to collect and cross for a try, the conversion was also well taken, leading 0 v 7 From the kick off Heath put the fullback under pressure and won a scrum for holding him up. Neilly broke from the scrum and released Blackwell to score outwide, and Cartwright was unable to convert the difficult chance 5 v 7. The next passages of play were dominated by the Heath pack, the ball went straight into touch from the kick off and Heath easily won the scrum and drove on. Brods conceded a penalty for verbal abuse to the ref and we took the scrum option, Brods held up the drive and another 5m scrum was given. Brods managed to turn this over and kick clear to their 22. From the lineout they forced a penalty and kicked to the 5m line. Once again they secured and drove over for another try, which went unconverted 5 v 12. James came off injured for another one of the Blackwell team, and then Williams came off for Szadby. Heath again showed forward dominance but despite drives by Whitworth, Dawes and Raby they were unable to break the excellent Brods defence. Half Time 5 v 12 With a full bench Coach Baxter was able to make changes at half time Day came on for Dawes with Sharp and Dodd still in reserve Brods started the stronger in the 2nd half and Heath showed great defence, with Neilly and Dance at the fore. Giraud had a chance of a run when returning a kick through but isolated, he unfortunately knocked on. Heath were exerting great pressure at the scrums and Brods were forced into trying to create attacking play from messy ball. Several penalties were exchanged with no side being able to take advantage. Then a crossing offence gave Heath an attacking chance, they chose the scrum again and Neilly picked up from the base and was able to twist over for a well worked move the conversion was taken by Cartwright and the scores were level. Heath looked upbeat and with under 10 mins to go they looked for the winning score, however they were unlucky to concede a penalty just outside the 22 for an offside offence, and Brods elected to take the kick, a compliment to Heath in itself, this was successful and pushed the scores onto 12 v 15. Sharp replaced Reynolds and Dodd replaced Giraud Heath turned over a scrum given for the ball not travelling ten, but Sharp was unable to break through with a neat chip. Brods were pinned back again when Berridge attacked but each time they managed to clear, with time running out one last attack was repelled Cartwright knocked on and time was blown , much to the relief of our opponents. This was a great game of Rugby with two evenly matched sides, we need to take this into a potential title winning performance next week.