Beast mode activated!

On a winters morning where layers and hats were a must on the sidelines, Heath u14s travelled to Pocklington for their first visit.  On arrival the club was absolutely bouncing with a full mini and junior section clearly loving their rugby.  After a slight cock up with arrangements Heath u14s jumped back in the cars to drive two minutes down the road to Pocklington’s Kilnwick Park Ground - a fantastic set up built in recent years…GAME ON!!!

Heath received the kick in the first half, allowing the ball to bounce leading to immediate pressure from the Pock defence.  Heath retained possession and after two good phases of play the ball went out to Jack “The Beast” Baker at inside centre to charge through his opposite number and then sprint through to score under the posts.

Pock 0 - 7 Heath (try Baker, conv by McNamara)

Pock were competing well at the ruck with real aggression and timing on the jackal.  However Heath weren’t messing about with Harry Lowe, Capt Jasper Haigh, Lewis Farrell, Alex Kershaw, Ben Austin and the abrasive Jack Baker hammering the breakdown.  Pock were penalised 40m from their try line for an infringement.  Sonny Gordon kicked into the corner setting up a lineout 5m out.  A short ball from hooker Alex Kershaw to Lewis Farrell at the front of the line then returned back in the 5m channel saw Kershaw burst over to score.

Pock 0 - 12 Heath (try Kershaw unconv)

Although Heath’s restarts need improvement (too many balls being allowed to bounce), once the ball was in hand their distribution from Lennon Wood was fast, with angles of attack being varied with the elusive Louis Moss playing outside centre.  Heath progressed into Pocks half, and strong runs from the forwards led to dangerous Ben Austin show great leg drive to bust the Pock line to score.

Pock 0 - 17 Heath (try Austin unconv).

Changes were made with Wilf Bridge, Oscar Szadbey, Cohan Slater, Harry Murray and Alfie Cartwright joining with 5 mins to go of the first half.  Heath were on the front foot again, after  great interplay in midfield the ball went out wide to the left wing, Alfie Cartwright stepped inside and turned on his jet shoes to leave the Pock defence for dead to score from 40m.

HT Pock 0 - 22 Heath (try Cartwright unconv).

After having a breather on bench Logan Helliwell-McDonald returned in the start of the second half.  Good hands in midfield led to Helliwell-McDonald charging down the right with a big handoff to break away to score.

Pock 0 - 29 Heath (try Helliwell-McDonald conv McNamara)

Heath received the kick-off, what followed was individual brilliance from Harry Murray.  Murray from 60m out stepped left to right and put his foot down to outsprint the Pock cover defence.  Great try!

Pock 0 - Heath 36 (try Murray conv Murphy)

The tries were coming thick and fast and Pock couldn’t contain this Heathen Hurricane.  With further changes to the line-up to ensure game time for all, talented backrower Humphrey Hall moved out to the right wing.  It wasn’t long until the ball found Hall in some space in his own half, he immediately beat two Pock defenders then sprinted down the right wing to finish under the posts.

Pock 0 - 43 Heath (try Hall conv Helliwell-McDonald).

Two minutes later after some fine hands by Alex Kershaw down the left he unleashed Alfie Cartwright to score the final breaking away down the left wing to go under the posts.

Pock 0 - 50 Heath (try Cartwright conv McNamara)

In keeping with the Yorkshire Cup rules, the game was stopped as the margin of 50 points had been reached.  Whilst the result would stand, both teams agreed to play on and to Pocks credit they scored three well structured tries in the last 15 mins.

FT Pock 0 - 50 Heath

This was a performance that the players and coaches were extremely proud of.  The ask was to stick to the game plan and start fast.  The lads executed to their game plan and never stopped.

Heath will continue to progress in the Yorkshire Plate, whilst Pocklington with drop down to the compete in the Yorkshire Bowl.  Round 5 will be drawn in next week or so and due to be played on 16th February.

Most Improved Player: Ben Austin

Man of the Match: Jack Baker