TOO MANY MISTAKES CONDEMN HEATH TO HEAVY DEFEAT

Selection:

Josh Buller,  Alex McFadden,  Alfie Jones,  Dillon North,  Tom Stansfield,  Ben Stringer,  Harvey K Payne,  Tom Clough.

Tom Egan,  Harry Fell,  Jake Haynes,  Chris Johnson,  Seb Jeffers,  Callum H Brown,  Cliff Howard.

Jonny Cole, Dan Smith,  Josh Beck,  Zac Baker,  Harry Harrison.

Scorers

Try - Cal H-Brown

Chris Johnson - Conv's x 1.  Pens x 2.

Scoring Timeline:  Here.

Match Report

Heath travelled over to the west coast to take on Fylde looking to get something from a game against a team who were below them in the league. It was a welcome return to action, following injuries, for Harvey Keighley-Payne, Ben Stringer and Tom Clough in the forwards while the backs saw Chris Johnson move to centre for the injured Ezra Hinchliffe with Harry Fell starting at fly half.

In glorious conditions Fylde kicked off going deep and looking for an early score, but Heath were in no mood to concede - putting in some tough tackles to keep the home team at bay. A serious injury to Tom Stansfield held up play as Fylde continued to puncture the Heath defence and on six minutes the home side managed to touchdown for a try to lead 5-0.

Heath tried to respond, but could not break a resilient home defence and from another break Fylde added to their tally with a converted try, 12-0 with twenty minutes on the clock. Once again, Heath had to re-group and they went in search of opening their account.  Following some slick handling, Callum Harriott-Brown managed to touchdown in the corner. Chris Johnson added the extras with a superb conversion from the touchline and Heath were back in the game 12-7 with twenty-five minutes played.

From the re-start, an off the ball incident was spotted by the referee and the home side had a player yellow carded and, with Fylde under pressure, from the resulting penalty Johnson found touch in the corner. Heath won line-out ball and the charge to the try-line was on. In sheer desperation Fylde were battling to prevent a score and, following a fracas, had a second player carded for fighting along with Ben Stringer. Heath had the advantage but could only convert a penalty to reduce the arrears,12-10.

From the re-start, Fylde went in search of a score putting Heath under massive pressure and, from a lineout, they drove over for a try, 17-10. Fylde continued to batter the Heath defence but there was no further score as the half time whistle sounded.

Zac Baker replaced Tom Egan as Heath went looking for an early score and they were rewarded with a penalty conversion from Chris Johnson 17-13 in the opening minute of the second half. Injuries to Tom Stansfield and Harry Fell saw Dan Smith and Harry Harrison come on, as Fylde looked for another score. Heath were up against it and after an injury to Dillon North, which saw Josh Beck come on, Fylde scored a converted try to extend their lead to 24-13.

Heath were all over the place as the home side took advantage and Jonny Cole replaced Alex McFadden but, as the Heath players put their bodies on the line, Jake Haynes had to leave the field injured to be replaced by Harry Fell. Fylde continued to press, scoring two converted tries to lead 38-13 and the game was dead and buried for Heath. On the hour, with Heath under pressure, Josh Buller received a 'technical' yellow and, five minutes later, Alex McFadden returned for the injured Tom Clough.  But Heath were making too many mistakes and allowed Fylde to score a converted try and then, in the last play of the game, and deep into injury time, Zac Baker was carded -  Fylde took advantage with an un-converted try for a final score of 50-13.

A disappointing game for the Heath faithful.  Fylde fully deserved the win and the result sees them overtake Heath in the League. Next week it is a home meeting with old rivals Harrogate. As always see you there!!!!!!

League Results:  here

League Table, here.

Photography

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

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