SECOND HALF PERFORMANCE SEE HEATH FRUSTRATE LEAGUE LEADERS SEDGLEY PARK WHO MAINTAIN THEIR UNBEATEN START TO THE SEASON

Selection:

Josh Buller,  Alex McFadden,  Dan Smith,  Dillon North,  Tom Stansfield,  Harry Murphy,  Jonny Cole,  Jack Pinder.

Tom Egan,  Chris Johnson,  Jake Haynes,  Ezra Hinchliffe,  Seb Jeffers,  Cal H-Brown,  Harry Fell.

Luke Townsend,  Alfie Jones,  Josh Beck,  Zac Baker,  Elliott Spiers.

Scorers:

Chris Johnson, Pen x 1.

Scoring Timeline.

Here.

Man of Match

1st XV Man of the Match - Seb Jeffers
1st XV Coaches Man of the Match - Tom Stansfield

Match report

Heath travelled over the Pennines to Manchester, to take on league leaders Sedgley Park who in their last five games had amassed nearly three hundred and fifty points. Heath made a few changes to the side due to a growing injury list adding newcomers Harry Fell, Harry Murphy and Jack Pinder.

Bright sunshine greeted both teams as Heath kicked off playing towards the clubhouse end and after pressing the home defence they were rewarded with a penalty conversion from Chris Johnson, 3-0 with three minutes played.

Sedgley Park responded immediately, putting Heath's defence under pressure, scoring two tries and a conversion to take the lead 12-3 with only ten minutes on the clock. Heath managed to re-group as they fought to keep hold of the ball. Injuries to Ezra Hinchliffe and Dillon North saw Elliott Spiers and Alfie Jones enter the arena as Heath continued to battle to keep out the home side but, on the half hour mark, Sedgley Park scored another converted try,19-3.

Josh Beck came on for Dan Smith and, as the half time whistle sounded, Heath had worked hard to keep the game alive but injuries were mounting.

The second half began with the home side once again on the attack and on forty-four minutes they scored a converted try, to extend their lead to 26-3 and it looked like the flood gates were going to open for Park who, with slick handling, were exposing the visitors defence.  But, immense credit must go to Heath who had other ideas and continued to put their bodies on the line. Gradually Heath clawed their way back into the game and became encamped in the home side's half.

Zac Baker and Josh Beck replaced Tom Egan and Luke Townsend as Heath pressed for a try and when Seb Jeffers broke the home defensive line he was held short by a covering tackle. Next up, Park collapsed a scrum and were penalised with a penalty but, Heath couldn't break down the home side's defence.

Next up, Harry Fell slipped a pass to Seb Jeffers who, again, broke the Park line only to drop the ball but Heath were a different team now and were desperate for a try. With five minutes left to play Heath efforts were in vain as Sedgley Park weathered the storm and scored a converted try after seventy-seven minutes and from the re-start with Heath attacking they intercepted a pass in their 22 to run over for a final converted try and a final score of 40-3.

The result does not reflect the hard work Heath put in against a side who look title favourites. Heath were always going to be up against it and despite the score deserved more. Next week it is a break, with time for players to recover and then it is a trip to the seaside to take on Fylde at the end of the month. As always see you there!! 

Halifax Courier Report

Here.

Youtube / Facebook.  Buzze Sport.

Interview with the 'Coles'.  Here.

Interview with Johnno, here.

League Results, here.

League Table, here.

Photography.

Bev Clough and John Baker.  More of Bev's photos on her Facebook page, here.