LAST KICK PENALTY CONVERSION DENIES HEATH A SHARE OF THE SPOILS

Selection
15 Jack Bruce 14 Elliott Knight 13 Callum Harriott-Brown 12 Ezra Hinchliffe 11 Jake Haynes 10 Chris Johnson 9 Dom Walsh 1 Chris Moore 2 Alex McFadden 3 Josh Crickmay 4 Seif Boussaada 5 Pete Hampshire 6 Alex Patrick 7 Harvey Keighley-Payne 8 Tom Clough 16 Sam Fletcher 17 Olly Cook 18 Jack Pilcher

Scorers
Josh Crickmay 2 tries     Chris Johnson 1 con 3 pens

Report
It was second versus third in the league as Heath entertained derby rivals Huddersfield with both teams looking for a win to close the gap on leaders Scunthorpe. Heath welcomed back Alex Patrick who started at flanker and there were starts for Chris Moore and Seif Boussaada while on the bench Jack Pilcher and Sam Fletcher sat alongside Olly Cook. Conditions were ideal and a huge crowd had assembled for the game expectant of a tight battle and they were not to be disappointed.

Heath, playing towards the river end, collected the kick off and were quickly on the attack, following a superb fifty metre run from Callum Harriott-Brown.  As they kept ball in hand Huddersfield struggled to contain the early onslaught but eventually buckled when Dom Walsh ran to the line to be held short and Josh Crickmay pounced for a try, 5-0 with eight minutes on the clock.

However, the lead was short lived as the visitors, in their first attack, scored a converted try, 7-5, with ten minutes played.  Heath responded with some slick passing and when Seif Boussaada collected line out ball the drive saw Huddersfield struggling to contain the onslaught.

On twenty minutes Heath took the lead with a penalty from Chris Johnson, 8-7, as they continued to press the visitors defence. It was all Heath as Hudds struggled to contain the home side and when Chris Johnson, Ezra Hinchliffe and Callum Harriott-Brown linked up, the latter released Jake Haynes who sped for the line before Huddersfields cover came across.

Jack Pilcher replaced Josh Crickmay and he was quickly into the action with a powerful run as, once again, the visitors gave away yet another penalty converted by Johnson, 11-7, with ten minutes left to half time. Huddersfield responded as the tension mounted and following a line-out they powered over for a second converted try,14-11. The try was hard to take and Heath's Boussaada and Huddersfield's Hammond were carded after an altercation.

With the clock winding down to half time, Heath mounted yet another attack.  The visitors struggled and had another player carded for a high tackle. Chris Johnson slotted the penalty between the posts to level the score 14-14 as the half time whistle sounded.

It had been a thrilling first half with Heath playing some fine rugby but Huddersfield had battled hard to limit scoring despite being reduced to thirteen players.

The second half continued to see Heath on the attack. Callum Harriott-Brown and Harvey Keighley-Payne linked well making good yardage and a crashing run from Jack Pilcher saw the visitors defence clinging on as he was held short of the try-line.

On fifty minutes Huddersfield made their first inroad into the Heath 22 but Heath defended well and went back on the attack. Once again the visitors were guilty of some illegal tackles giving away numerous penalties as Heath continued to remain calm and play rugby, with a quarter of the game left to go.

Josh Crickmay returned to the battle replacing Chris Moore as Heath continued to look for an opening as Jake Haynes and Tom Clough went close for a score. On seventy minutes a rare attack from the visitors saw them pounce on a loose ball to score a converted try , 21-14, but this did not deter Heath and they quickly responded throwing the ball around to eventually prise open the visitors defence.  From a drive to the line, Josh Crickmay emerged with the ball for his second try, converted by Johnson and the scores were level, 21-21 with eight minutes left to play.

Olly Cook replaced Jack Pilcher as Heath went in search of adding to their tally but once again they could not break down the visitors defence. Then, in the final minute, Huddersfield were given a life-line after being awarded a disputed penalty and up stepped Milner to convert and snatch the win.

It had been a true derby battle with Heath controlling the game for most of the time but it was Huddersfield who went away with the win. That’s rugby!!! but hard to take for the players and the home supporters.

Next week it is a visit to Driffield, always a difficult challenge, but as always see you there!!

Photography:

We had strength in depth, today.  There were five photographers in attendance for Heath and we'll be posting their shots and links to more photos, asap.

Bev Clough, more photos here; 

Andy Keighley; 

Vic Heritage, more photos here.

Andy Groves, more photos here.

Garf;

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