Another chance to read our: Pre-match write ups and thoughts.

Heath RUFC head to Twickenham on Saturday to face Barnstaple RUFC in the Final of the Papa John’s National Cup. It will be the second time Calderdale’s highest-ranking club have appeared at Twickenham – on their last visit they were victorious in the Powergen Junior Vase beating Bromley 16-10.  Captain on that special day was David Harrison and although he has long since hung up his playing boots he will still be in the thick of the action as the Heath Director of Rugby.

Harrison has built up a strong backroom team with Head Coach Mark Sales, Forwards Coach Rob Anderson, Fitness Coach Spencer Blackmore and Player Coaches Chris Johnson and Josh Crickmay.   “The coaching team all with their areas of expertise have been outstanding in their efforts to best prepare the lads both mentally and tactically”. Harrison said.

This will be Sale's last game as Head Coach, as he recently announced he would be returning to his boyhood club Morley.

Heath finished the season in 2nd place Regional 1 North East, just missing out on promotion to the National League by 2 points.

On the squad selection  Harrison said “The squad is at strength; we have kept faith with the lads that have delivered in the last few games leading us to the final. To get the result on such an illustrious stage would top off another very successful campaign, with a second-place finish in a very competitive league.”

With a backline featuring 20 try winger Joe Morrison, who has recently been called up to the Yorkshire senior squad, speedster Callum Harriot-Brown, the elusive Ezra Hinchliffe and 'twinkle toes' Elliott Spiers, they will hope to be able capitalise on the wide-open Twickenham surface. Full Back Dan Cole and the experienced half back pairing of Dom Walsh and Chris Johnson will look to steer the troops round, all 3 having an astute kicking game in their armoury.

Up front in “the meat grinder” the front row can mix it with the best. Led by Josh Crickmay who is capable of some thunderous defence, try machine hooker Jack Pilcher and 300 cap interception king Chris Moore they are a force to be reckoned with.  The 2nd row features the big and strong pairing of powerhouse Tunisian international Seif Boussaada and workhorse Pete Hampshire. The back row contains Captain Harvey Keighley-Payne, who leads his side by example covering every blade of grass on the field and always willing to take the tough drives or put in a big shot in defence. At blindside is the enigmatic Ben Stringer who is a key component of the Heath lineout. Completing the forwards is Number 8 Tom Clough who has converted from the centres to become a huge crowd favourite at West Vale with some breath-taking carries. 

On the bench is a good mix of experience and youth and all are more than capable of holding their own in the starting lineup.  Jack Malthouse is a classy centre, Olly Cook has nearly 300 1st XV appearances and is a rare goal kicking prop. Alex Patrick and youngster Tom Stansfield provide cover for the 2nd & back row. The dynamic duo of Johnny Cole and Alex McFadden can cover the back row - however, Alex has more than 200 appearances at hooker and recently had a long spell as the starting hooker interrupted by an unfortunate injury. Completing the bench is young scrum Half Max Rowntree who is one to watch in the future.

Looking at the weather forecast the backroom staff of Andy Roy, Alf Baxter and Rick Painter will have their work cut out keeping the players hydrated. Physio Paramesh Mistry will be hoping for a quiet day!

The Heath players will be roared on by their faithful band of supporters who have followed them the length of the country in the last few years as they have risen into the regional leagues.

President John Hall summed up the general feeling at the Club:  “22 years after out last appearance at Twickenham, for our boys to have the opportunity to run onto the hallowed field and at a level we could not have dreamed of in 2022, is quite frankly astonishing.”

 The game kicks off at 5pm and will be streamed live on the RFU Youtube channel, the link will be made available on the Club's Facebook and Website.