Re-shuffled hosts Heath edged out by Alnwick in thrilling clash
A re-shuffled Heath RUFC were edged out 30-28 at home by Alnwick in a re-arranged fixture on Saturday.
Heath kicked off playing towards the Stainland Road end but it was the visitors who madeastrongstartand,following a misunderstanding in the Heath 22, Alnwick pounced scoring a converted try to take the lead 7-0 on three minutes.
The breakthrough for Heath came after 25 minutes.
Fromalineout,wonbyTom Clough,theballcameouttothe Heath back line who moved it swiftly across the field, ending up in debutant Jake Haynes’ hands and his turn of speed saw the wingman touchdown for a debut try, converted by ChrisJohnsonandHeathwere level.
Alnwick responded with several charges into the home defence and on 30 minutes took a 10-7 lead with a converted penalty.
Olly Cook and Peter Hampshire made way for Chris Moore and Alex Patrick as Heath looked for another score, but it was the visitors who increased their lead with another penalty, 13-7.
Haynes made solid yardage witharun,asdidJoeMorrison, who was held up just short of the try-line. But, when the ball came back to Clough, who superbly dummied a pass and sped over for a try, converted byJohnsonandHeathled14-13.
However, the lead was short-lived as Alnwick, from the re-start, took advantage of a static home defence scoring
Tom Clough on his way to scoring a try for Heath in their 30-28 loss at home to Alnwick. PHOTO BY DAVE GARFORTH
a converted try to take the lead again 20-14.
In the final minutes the crowd saw exactly how Heath can play. Dan Cole and Ezra Hinchliffe made ground, supported by Moore and Patrick, andHeathwerefinallykeeping hold of the ball pulling the visitors’ defence apart. It came as nosurprisetoseeAlnwicklose a player to the sin-bin as Heath continued to press.
From the resulting penalty kick to the corner the lineout was won by Clough and the drive to the line saw Josh Crickmayemergewiththeball foratry,convertedbyJohnson, 21-20 as the half time whistle sounded.
Heath began the second half in fine form as Haynes once again tore through the visitors defence early on. Ezra Hinchliffe was quick to support
and a great kick-pass out to Joe Morrison saw the wingman held just short of the visitors try-line.
With a man down Alnwick were struggling to contain Heath but once back to full strengththeyclawedtheirway back into the game.
Heathcontinuedtokickthe ball away and from one clearance Alnwick pounced with a converted try on 55 minutes to lead 27-21.
Jack Malthouse, Peter Hampshire and Olly Cook came on for Cole, Patrick and Crickmay as Heath looked to get back into the game but an injurytoBenStringersawCole return.
On the hour mark Seif Boussaada received a card and Heath were up against it and chasing the game once again.
Alnwick increased their lead to 30-21 with another penalty.
When line out ball was won it ball came out to Dom Walsh andasublimedummysawhim danceoverthetry-lineforabonus point fourth try, converted by Johnson 28-30 but Alnwick held out to for the win.
This weekend Heath will travel down to Doncaster Phoenix looking to get back to winning ways.