Heath win in trying conditions to move top of Merit League

Team:

1. Kerr   2. Puttick   3. Morley   4. Dance

5. Hunter    6. Wilby 7. Dawes 8. James

9. Lomas 10. Reynolds 11. Wilkinson 12. Malik 13. Bruce 14. Whitworth 15. Cockroft

Replacements: Blackhall, McFadden, Webb

On a very damp Saturday afternoon, Heath welcomed table topping Rishworthians to the West Vale ground. Under the merit tables average points system, Heath would move top with a win, so stakes were high. Heath had won 37-0 at Copley earlier in the season but were missing their captain Hinchcliffe to injury and scrum half Cole to a school trip.

Heath welcomed back Bruce and Malik, who had recovered from similar shoulder injuries to buoy the team. Early morning showers had desisted when Heath kicked off, but the ground was very heavy underfoot.

Early exchanges showed that both teams packs would be heavily involved in the outcome of this match. Rishworthians were very quickly in their stride and tried where possible to release the ball to their impressive back line. Heath defended early exchanges well, but were guilty of giving early penalties away, something they had discussed prior to kick off.  From one of these penalties, the ball made its way to Rishworthians pacey winger. He evaded several tackles and was only stopped 5m short by a great tackle from the covering Cockroft. The lineout was secured by Hunter and his offload to Lomas allowed a clearance down field, the chasing Bruce and Wilkinson forced a knock on and Heath could regroup on halfway.

Heath won good ball from the scrum and Reynolds executed a great kick though the oncoming line to force the defender to clear the ball into touch, about 10 metres out. Heath once again won the lineout and spread the ball wide, with the Referee signalling penalty advantage for offside, Heath were unable to break through. With the tight start to the match, the option of a kick was taken, and this was neatly slotted between the posts by stand in kicker Cockroft. 3-0

Lomas caught the restart cleanly and cleared to half-way, but chasing Bruce was unlucky to miss an attempt to hack through the loose ball, instead conceding a penalty for a kick on the Rishworth centre. Heath knocked on from the lineout giving our opponents an attacking scrum, however a great strike, won the scrum against the head, once of several that Puttick would win through the match.  The Heath backs had their chance to attack and won a penalty for a high tackle on halfway, this resulted in the first yellow card of the match against the Rishworthians player.

From the resulting lineout, Reynolds again executed a probing grubber kick to gain further ground. The lineout was turned over by Heath and they drove for the line, the ball was held up over the line and a 5m scrum was awarded. Heath drove the scrum back and James picked up and scored the opening try of the match. The difficult conversion was missed 8-0

Heath were starting to dominate in the forwards and very soon found themselves in another attacking 5m scrum after another penalty for offside. The same set piece was executed and James touched down in a mirror score of the previous one. This time Cockroft had his range and secured the extra points. 15-0

The referee blew for Half time and both teams took a well-earned breather. As the conditions started to close in, it was clear that the 2nd half would be no easier on bodies than the first.

Whitworth made way for Blackhall

Rishworthians took the restart, Lomas again took the ball and cleared all the way back into Rishies half. The lineout was spoilt and James drove forward, he offloaded to Puttick and then Morley, who was stopped just short. The ball was well turned over by the Rishies pack, who were quicker to the breakdown, and the ball made its way to the 22. Heath secured a further penalty for failing to release, and the lineout was won, from the next attacking play, another penalty was awarded for off feet in the ruck. Cockroft again slotted over from in front of the posts 18-0

Heath had been guilty throughout the first period of back chat to the officials, and this continued at points through the early parts of the 2nd. This came back to haunt them in a big way when a penalty was turned over for this offence, and at last Rishies could demonstrate their power and speed in the backs, allowing a score out to the right of the posts, the conversion was also excellently slotted over to move the score to 18-7

Heath had to regroup and maintain discipline if they were to keep their dangerous opponents from further scores. James was replaced by McFadden and Bruce left due to a returning injury with Whitworth replacing him.

Heath were soon on the attack again and Reynolds forced a lineout on the 5m line, James and man of the match Dance spoilt the set piece and from the drive, Puttick touched down over the line. The extras were not added 23-7

Next, Heaths season long injury curse returned, when we lost excellent prop Morley to a nasty wrist injury, and James had to return even though he was nursing a knock. Rishworthians again piled on the pressure with this reorganisation of the Heath pack, but great defence from Dance and Kerr kept them out. However another failure in discipline resulted in Blackhall receiving 10 minutes in the sin bin, this was going to be a test of Heaths resources and team spirit, which had shown only 100 points conceded all season.

Heath managed to win the scrum, again against the head and the ball was cleared, it was returned almost immediately and a chip through was taken over his own line by Cockroft to save a certain try.  The task of defending was made harder by James having to leave the field again, Whitworth moved into the pack and Bruce came back on with his shoulder strapped. Heath again won the scrum against the head, and Jack Bruce was released for a great run down the line, but was forced into touch.

Rishies to their credit keep up the pressure forcing several penalties for ruck offences, but each time Heath held strong. Dawes and Wilby were as mobile as ever, keeping up the pressure when the ball went loose and eventually the tide turned again towards Heath. With the rain now falling persistently and both teams now completely covered in mud, Heath enjoyed a period of respite in the Rishies 22. With the clock running down, another great drive by Dance and Kerr, setup a series of rucks, with every member of the pack taking their turn to pick and go. Dawes was unlucky not to open his account for the season, being stopped 1m short, but the ball was again recycled for Puttick to dive over for his 2nd and the Bonus point try. Cockroft made no mistake with the conversion and time was called. 30-7

This was a great local derby undertaken in great spirit and fairness despite the appalling conditions. Rishies showed why they are one of the top two in the Merit Table and with just a home game against North Ribblesdale to come next week, Heath can move into the playoffs full of confidence. We would not be surprised if this contest is re-enacted at the final at West Park Leeds in April