Heath shut-out Pontefract to go up to second
Heath moved up to second in Regional 1 North East with an impressive 20-0 shut-out at Pontefract.
Heath avenged their home loss to Pontefract earlier in the season with an excellent defensive display that extended their winning run to four games.
The visitors had to wait for their first points, Ezra Hinchliffe landing a penalty on the half-hour, and this proved to be the only score of a hardfought first half.
The second half began with Heath taking the game to their opponents and in the first scrum they drove the home pack back 15 metres before being awarded a penalty.
Dan Cole found touch and from the line out Saif Boussaada collected and drove for the line. Pontefract were frantically trying to kill the ball but quick hands pulled the home defence apart and as the ball came across to Joe Morrison he rounded off a superb move to cross the line with 50 minutes on the clock.
Heath continued to be in control and a superb run from Tom Clough saw Pontefract scramble back to tackle him just short of the try-line, with Adam Brook in support.
The home side were clinging on but a frail defence enabled Brook to break and slip the ball to the supporting Josh Crickmay who dived over for a try just five minutes later. Chris Johnson's attempted conversion saw the ball hit the upright.
Pontefract continued to try and find a way through a solid Heath defence as a series of cards followed for the visitors. Chris Moore received the first with Cole leaving and Crickmay returning for the next scrum as Ponte camped on the Heath try-line.
Tom Clough was off with ten minutes remaining but still the home side could not break down the Heath defence as they put their bodies on the line.
Moore returned before Peter Hampshire was carded but continued battering from Pontefract failed to get them on the scoresheet.
Deep into injury time Heath, after an outstanding defensive effort, broke free and superb play from the backs saw Adam Brook score a try, converted by Chris Johnson to round off the scoring.
Heath Hawks eased past Sheffield Tigers seconds 338 thanks to two tries apiece for Fletcher and Sharp and another from Spiers. Zak Thomson tagged on four conversions.