Heath in good form ahead of key clash with leaders
HEATH HOST North One East leaders Driffield on Saturday in great form, having extended their unbeaten run to nine games at Moortown last weekend.
The in-form visitors dominated the game from the moment Ben Stringer crossed for the opening try on four minutes.
Moortown could not compete and a slick pass from Jason Merrie to Elliott Spiers saw the winger add another Heath try only three minutes later.
Will McLaughlin was sent to the bin but Moortown were unable to take advantage and, having been restored to full strength, Heath grabbed their third try on 27 minutes when Matt Beasty crashed over to make it 15-0.
Great defence frustrated the hosts’ efforts to get back into the game and having stolen the ball, Joe Morrison and Eddie Cartwright linked to run half the length of the field before releasing Spiers for the bonus point try with 35 minutes played.
Heath were in no mood to let their hosts score and Moortown had players sent to the bin in the closing stages of the first half, allowing Jack Pilcher to score a fifth try, this time converted by Alex Bull, to send the visitors into the break with a 27-0 lead.
The hosts began the second half with 13 players but showed character by scoring a converted try on 48 minutes to open their account.
Heath remained in control to keep Moortown out until the final play of the game when they grabbed an unconverted try to make the final score 27-12.
The win keeps Heath in third spot, three points behind Driffield who won 40-12 at Old Brodleians on Saturday.
Fifth-placed Brods will hope to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they travel to Durham City.
■ Halifax RUFC suffered a 38-0 home loss to Yorkshire Four NW rivals Leeds Modernians. Halifax were hit hard by injuries and unavailable players but were in the game at halftime, trailing 12-0. However, Leeds bossed the second half.
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