Heath promoted in climax to a thrilling season

Heath 2nds v Old Rishworthians 2nds

Team:

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

5. Owen    6. Wilby 7. Dawes 8. James

9. Cole 10. Reynolds 11. Wilkinson 12. Horne 13. Malik 14. Bruce 15. Cockroft

Replacements: Whitworth, Mellor, Burbidge, Davies, Raby

Heath 2nds travelled to the home of Ilkely RUFC for the playoff final of the Aire Wharfe merit table, against local rivals Old Rishworthians. With promotion to the Championship at stake, a large crowd of supporters made their way from Halifax, on a fine spring afternoon. It was fitting that the sides that had finished first and second at the end of the normal season, Heath only losing one game and Rishworthians themselves only being defeated twice by Heath, were present for the winner take all match.

Heath kicked off, the first period and were very quickly in the ascendancy, Wilkinson closed the receiving defender down, and Heaths pack forced an early penalty for offside. Heath choose to kick to the 5m line for an attacking lineout, once secured a strong drive moved the ball towards the try line and Dance forced his way through for a very early opening score. The difficult conversion was missed 5-0

The restart from Rishworth was caught deep, but our opponents were quickly on the scene to turn the ball over. Several phases of drives failed to make much ground and Wilby seized his chance to rob the ball and clear the lines, with Wilkinson and supporting flanker Dawes quickly closing the ball down, Rishworthians did well to recycle the ball and clear to the Heath 22. Heath won the ball and released Cockroft who was unlucky to step into touch. A deep kick was caught well by Cockroft again and he showed great pace to outpace several players and then executed a deft chip over the advancing backs, which he collected and ran the second try in under the posts. This time Cole took the extras. 12 -0

Heath had to remain focused, and they very quickly found themselves back deep in Rishies half driving for the line. The excellent Dance, James and Kerr took turns to batter the defence, which held strong and resulted in a scrum when the ball was deemed held up. Heath won a penalty for offside and took a quick tap to release Wilkinson, but he was wrapped up, conceding a penalty and the chance was gone. Rishies cleared to halfway and then showed why they had to be feared, releasing their very mobile and speedy back line they were very soon attacking the Heath line for the first time. Seeing a gap on the blindside, they were only stopped by a try saving tackle from the combined efforts of Kerr and Dawes.  The ball was deemed to have gone dead and Heath were given the 22 drop out.

Rishies again showed excellent work in their backs, and with the ball being moved quickly to the touchline, a missed tackle saw their winger in the clear for their first score which they converted 12-7.

The restart was knocked on and Heath had a great position for an attacking scrum, Puttick hooked the ball back quickly, as he did throughout the match, Cole spread the ball wide to Malik who then won a penalty, a quick tap was wasted with the ball being passed into touch. Heath again drove from the lineout and this time the ball was lost to a knock on, and Rishies cleared with a great kick. They again secured turnover ball and moved the ball to their winger. who was forced to put a foot into touch. This time Heath safely collected the ball, with drives by Dawes and Morley moving them to a great position, winning another penalty. Puttick tapped and went and saw Horne in space for him to run in the 3rd try, again the extras were missed from a difficult angle 17-7. 

At half time both teams took a well-earned rest in the warm conditions and Heath were urged remain disciplined especially in the early parts of the 2nd period.

However, Rishworthians had not heard the message and posted an early score, to act as a timely reminder that the game was in no way over. 17-12

Within a few minutes, Owen was replaced by Mellor and James came off for Raby. With new legs in the hardworking pack, Heath were once again on the attack. From an attacking scrum, the excellent Reynolds found space and crossed for another score 22-12 which Cole added to 24-12.

Many teams would have folded, but Rishworth showed great spirit, again attacking from the restart. From one clash, try scorer Reynolds was replaced after a nasty collision and Whitworth came on while he was assessed. Rishies kept attacking and showing excellent backline work, but each time Heath tackled well to prevent major advances Morley and Raby proved immovable objects and were counter rucking where possible.

Cole marshalled the forwards well to block that route to the posts, but Rishies were seeing more success through their centres and wingers. Attacking once again, Wilkinson was unlucky to have been adjudged to have deliberately knocked on and was sent to the bin for 10 minutes. Would this be the chance Rishies had been waiting for to close the gap again.

Heath upped their work rate, to compensate for being one man down, Horne and Bruce were tested several times, and when the line was broken, Cockroft was there to support. Mellor left the field and Owen returned, Reynolds was also able to take the field again with Whitworth giving way and Davies provided new mobility in the pack replacing Wilby.

With some re-organisation, Heath found another attacking opportunity when Owen popped up out-wide, showing a great turn of speed to break the line, stopped only by the full back, he popped the ball to Raby who then released Malik for a well worked try. 29-12

Wilkinson returned to bring Heath up to a full complement, but instead of Heath securing their position in the match, Rishworthians came back again to keep up the pressure with another try. 29-17

Heath had to remain strong, and with several experienced team members now back on the bench it was down to the whole team to support each other and look after possession. Reynolds provided great ball to the back line when released and the pack in particular Dance, continued to drive forward when given the opportunity. Rishworthians to their great credit, attacked to the very end and the youngsters in the team never gave up showing excellent fitness levels matched by their counterparts in the Heath team. Burbidge came on to provide a last push in the pack, with another attack defended and cleared into touch, the referee signalled for the final play which was stopped by a knock on and time was blown.

The Heath supporters including club chairman Sutcliffe, erupted in celebration and the Coaches and replacements of Rishworthians congratulated the coaching staff of Baxter and team captain Hinchcliffe. This was a great advert for Halifax rugby and both teams are to be congratulated for the spirit in which the match was played. We look forward to our place in the Championship and wish Rishworthians success for next season.

Photos: Aurora Price