Leaders Heath keep heat on the chasing pack with Leeds victory
TABLE-TOPPERS HEATH travelled to fourth-placed West Leeds in Yorkshire One and came away with a convincing 3115 success.
Coach Dave Harrison gave a starting berth to Luke Saltonstall on the wing in the only change to his side.
Early exchanges were even as both sides tested each other out but when Heath were awarded a penalty after 10 minutes Ezra Hinchliffe stepped up to slot the ball between the posts for the visitors to lead 3-0.
Dom Walsh went close, following a great run from Saif Bossaada, and with the forwards controlling the scrums it seemed only a matter of time before Heath extended their lead when a penalty from Hinchliffe doubled the Heath score.
A third penalty from Hinchliffe then saw Heath extend their lead to 9-0.
West Leeds reduced the arrears with a penalty to make it 9-3 with 30 minutes played, but Heath’s response was immediate as Boussaada, Jonny Cole, Chris Moore and Willie Tufui took up the challenge to secure the first try and following excellent work from Dan Cole and Hinchliffe the ball came out to Luke Saltonstall.
He exchanged passes with full back Eddie Cartwright who went over in the corner for the try, 14-3.
Heath were now playing controlled rugby, confidence was high and with half time approaching they scored a memorable try, Eddie Cartwright swapping passes with Hinchliffe before touching down for a superb second try and a 19-3 interval lead.
Heath began the second half looking to pick up where they had left off.
Callum Harriett-Brown and Hinchliffe linked well before Hinchliffe again released Tufui who thought he had scored, only for the referee to rule a forward pass.
It was only a matter of time though and Jordan Moana went blindside to score a third try in the corner superbly converted by Hinchliffe, 26-3, with 55 minutes played.
West Leeds scored two quick tries to cut the deficit to 26-15, but Hinchliffe threw an outrageous dummy to flat foot the home defence before kicking forward for Luke Saltonstall to chase.
West Leeds had to kick the ball dead and from the resulting scrum Moana pounced again to score the bonus point fourth try, 31-15.
Heath’s seconds also played West Leeds and came out on top, winning 29-15.
n Heath are on the road again, this weekend, travelling to 10th placed Bradford Salem.
On paper it could be looked on as a ‘no contest’ but this week’s hosts have proved surprisingly resilient in the past with a tenacious attitude that sees them continue to contest for the full 80 minutes.
On the back of last week’s five point win at Leeds, Heath are nonetheless confident of another positive result, based around dominance of their big but highly mobile pack denying possession to the opposition whilst providing a good supply to their own backs. Key will be the link between the two and scrumhalf Dom Walsh will be the one they look to in order to keep the attack moving. Since his return, he’s put in some polished performances which were acknowledged with the award of the Heath First XV Player of the Month trophy for October.
There’s competition for places, with a strong squad providing good numbers for coach Dave Harrison to choose from.
Heath seconds also play Salem, but at home, this week. They too take to the field after a strong display and good win against Leeds, last Saturday. Scrum-half Mike Reynolds, was the team’s Player of the Month for October.