Heath put down marker in excellent opening day win
HEATH SECURED a fine 16-15 win at home to Pocklington in the North One East - their first ever game at Level 6.
Coach Dave Harrison had worked his squad hard during the week to ensure they were prepared - and early indications showed the improvements made as, from the first line-out, Matt Beasty grabbed the ball to set up a catch and drive to the visitors line with only minutes played.
Pocklington stood firm and cleared the line but Heath were straight back with Callum Harriett Brown, Eddie Cartwright and Elliott Spiers linking well and with Olly Scrimshaw prominent and dictating play the visitors could not handle the pace of the game, giving away several penalties in the process.
Line-outs were much better than last week and when Ben Stringer stole the ball from one, this set up yet another onslaught into the Pocklington half and it came as no surprise when Heath took the lead with a penalty from Eddie Cartwright with 20 minutes played.
Another Cartwright goal increased the home side’s lead to 6-0 but the visitors went over in the corner deep into first-half injury time to make it 6-5at the interval.
Pocklington edged ahead with a penalty on 43 minutes but Heath responded and another penalty from Cartwright put them 9-8 up with 55 minutes on the clock.
Back came the visitors and from a quickly taken penalty, Heath conceded a converted try with 10 minutes left.
Walsh was replaced by George Heron to increase the scrum power and Morrison took his chance to go over for a try.
The pressure now fell on Eddie Cartwright to seal the conversion. His first attempt was well wide but the official ruled Pocklington had encroached the field and ruled a retake. Even more pressure but Cartwright kept his cool and converted to edge Heath 16-15 ahead.
Pocklington surged forward in search of a score and this seemed to be on the cards when some slick inter-play from the visiting backs looked to be heading for a certain try in the corner but Matt Hallett had other ideas, taking man and ball out over the touch-line with a textbook tackle.
From the line-out Beasty yet again won ball and Heath, with a driving maul, ended up on their 22 line and, from a clearance kick, ended up on the half way line. There now had to be another big effort from the forwards, which they put in and when the final whistle blew Heath had gained a deserved win.
Heath travel to Scarborough on Saturday.