Big win away at Cleck

A sunny, crisp morning down the road at Cleckheaton today. With almost a full compliment of players Heath 12s were raring to go.

The first half got underway with Thomas and Xander (not sure volunteering is the right word but we will go with that) playing for Cleckheaton and our very own JR referring. Heath received from the kickoff and Zak collected a ran the ball in, with a fair few phases and some solid rucking the ball came out for Zak to get the first try of the day. 5-0 Heath. Opting to receive the ball from kick-off again Heath tried dominating but with some poor rucking, Cleckheaton managed to counter ruck and get over the try line in what looked like a knock on but JR gave them the benefit of the doubt to make it 5-5.

Receiving the ball again, Heath looked after it this time and with a good strong running from Gilly who was deep in the opposition half when he was awarded a penalty for a high tackle allowed AJ’s quick thinking catching the opposition sleeping to score Heaths second try 10-5. Heaths third try came from Rowan, after receiving the ball and with an all-round team effort in both rucking and running Heath made it 15-5.

Heath opted to kick, Cleckheaton received well but they didn’t expect a great chase and tackle from Zak which led to a fumble by Cleckheaton, Heath had the ball back unfortunately this was short lived and Cleckheaton went on to score a try making it 15-10. Heath then received the ball and showed Cleckheaton that it doesn’t matter where the ball pops up on the field we have a team of players that have great ball handling skills and have a desire to run hard, Dexter and Rowan led the way this time and pressure was building on the Cleckheaton defense.

Unfortunately, due to Heaths own handling error it was scrum down to Cleckheaton but do not fear the master of hooking was there and Ethan Carter won the ball back, an excellent delivery from Rowan to AJ lead to Heath making it 20-10. Gilly made it 25-10.

After a swap around of players and again I use the word volunteered loosely it was Colin and Harvey’s turn on the Cleckheaton Team.

Heath in possession and AJ’s fancy footwork meant that the gap was growing 30-10. Heath opted to receive the ball and with a fiery solid run from OD getting into Cleckheaton’s half followed up by Thomas and Gilly’s solid running meant we were nearing their try line but a slight lack of concentration and a good counter ruck from Cleckheaton meant we found ourselves defending.

Heath today had the attitude that defense was their middle name and with every player doing their bit in the ruck, in the tackle forced Cleckheaton to error. Heath now on the front foot, moving the ball about opened up the space for AJ to score making it 35-10.

To complete the first half Heath ran in another two tries making it 45-10.

Second Half Heath came out ready to continue where they had left off but Cleckheaton had other ideas and put a good solid defensive half in making Heath worker harder for their tries. I would like to note that perhaps the difference was, the Heath players that went to play on Cleckheaton’s Team in the second half took great joy in tackling their own teammates. Well done to Rowan, Alex, OD and Harvey who all went and played for Cleckheaton.

It took a while, but it was Heath that broke the second half deadlock with AJ running in for his 5th try of the game making it 50-10. Cleckheaton received the ball but with some great pressure on their big runners Heaths defense pushed Cleckheaton into touch – JR was searching for his red card but there wasn’t one in site when Cleckheaton’s player decided he didn’t agree with JR’s decision and shout at him.

With tensions running high Heath made a decision to get this game put to bed and wrapped up, Gilly and Zak took charge scoring our final two tried of the game making it 60-10.

The whole team played their part in the game today with every player touching the ball in attack and some superb rucking allowed the try scorers to score those all important tries but rugby is a team game and therefore them tries came about by the team.

Defensively Heath put in a stellar performance and kept Cleckheaton to just two tried early on in the first half.

JR’s summary:

Great defense, they had bigger runners but we dealt with them. Going forward JR would like to see more of the game plan being played and more wraps as we won’t always be able to run through teams.

Player of the Match: Bradley Gill and Rowan Scott.