Last-minute try sees Heath lose pulsating derby match
A LAST-MINUTE try from Cleckheaton denied Heath victory as the home side lost 28-24 in a pulsating derby clash.
Cleckheaton arrived at North Dean looking to avenge a home defeat by Heath back in October, while Heath were going in search of getting back onto the winning trail following a home defeat last week against league leaders Driffield.
Eddie Cartwright returned at full-back and Oliver Scrimshaw also had a start following the late withdrawal of Alex Bull.
There were also starts for Seif Boussaada and Alex McFadden as Jack Pilcher and Will McLoughlin took a stint on the bench alongside the evergreen Si Brown.
The visitors soon made it clear they were up for the challenge, scoring an unconverted try in the corner to lead 5-0 with only three minutes on the clock.
Then from a drop out by Heath, the ball was collected on the halfway line and an audacious drop-kick attempt sailed over the bar to increase Cleck’s lead to 8-0 with 13 minutes played.
Pressure from Heath was eventually rewarded with a penalty conversion from Eddie Cartwright to reduce the arrears 8-3 after 25 minutes.
Jonny Cole then scored a deserved try to level the scores on the half hour mark.
Jack Pilcher replaced Alex
McFadden as the game re-started but before he could get into the game Cleckheaton responded with a converted try on 34 minutes to lead 15-8.
The Heath forwards were in control and Cleckheaton could not cope with the onslaught giving away penalties before Eddie Cartwright converted one to reduce the arrears, 15-11.
A Pilcher try and a Cartwright conversion then gave Heath an 18-15 half-time lead.
A Cleckheaton penalty levelled the game soon after the break, before another penalty saw them take the lead.
Heath did manage to claw their way back into the game when Cartwright added another penalty to level the scores 2121 on 70 minutes but Cleckheaton were looking strong.
It looked as if Heath had snatched the win following a super penalty conversion from Cartwright on the half way line the ball sailed between the posts and a score of 24-21.
However, the visitors were not finished and from the restart took possession of the ball and went through numerous phases of play, pulling the home defence apart, and came up with a converted try in the last minute 28-24 to deny Heath the win they so wanted.
The defeat takes Heath out of the top three as they prepare for yet another derby encounter when they travel to Woodhead next week to take on Old Brodleians.
Heath seconds lost 50-0 at Cleckheaton.