On a sunny day, the top two teams in North East 1, competing, the visitors eager to avenge their defeat at Shipton Road, we awaited a keenly contested game and that is what we were about to get.

Play in the first quarter of the match is played in Heath’s half with the visitors being awarded two kickable penalties, York chose to test their line out drive, as it proved, Heath’s line out defence was well organised resisting the catch and drive and clearing their lines, taking play into the York 22m and camping there, retaining possession and eventually working a blindside attack, moving the ball to the edge for the powerful left wing, Joe Morrison to score in the corner, Chris Johnson narrowly missing the conversion after twelve minutes. We were now beginning to witness the physicality of our opponents, big tackles, line speed in defence, strong ball carries going forward, forced and unforced errors leading to turnovers.

Yet another visit to the York 22m saw Joe Morrison again brushing off tackles to score in the corner, this time Chris Johnson converting. The brave Angus Barrick struggling with injury is replaced by Joe Maud, who himself is coming back from injury, as is Will Scholey who replaces Lewis Jackson. Little changes, Heath again have a scrum 5m from the line, Tom Clough picks up from the base and drives over the line to score under the posts, Chris Johnson converts. Heath 3 visits to the York 22m and coming away with 3 tries.

York are now feeling the pressure being driven backwards, this is the first time this season I have seen the York scrum under that sort of pressure. Then there is a life line for York, as the ball is passed down the back line, Liam Hessay joins the line creating the overlap with Jonty Atkinson on the outside with a clear run in, only for Joe Morrison to deliberately slap the ball down preventing the try, the referee has no hesitation to award the penalty try and a yellow card. Half Time … Heath. 19. York. 7

The second half sees more and more, power plays from Heath, midfield mauls winning metres, an increased line speed, dominant tackles York coughing the ball up, being stripped of the ball in the tackle, winning collisions, creating turn overs. York unable to take the advantage of the yellow card. A scrum 15m from the York try line, the scrum is under pressure, Tom Clough picks up and drives towards the line to be stopped short, the Heath skipper, Harvey Keighley-Payne picks up the loose ball to score under the posts, the try is converted by Chris Johnson.

Arran Thompson comes on to replace Harry Shackleton. The pressure is beginning to present opportunities to the home side, penalties being awarded against the visitors, one such penalty within kicking range for Ezra Hinchcliffe to convert and close the game out. Now York begin to play, hopefully pulling rabbits out of the hat, Lewis Jackson bursts out of defence carrying for over 50 metres is he going all the way, Andre Robson breaking lines, Joe Maud carrying strongly, but alas no support with them. York now have occupation in Heath’s 22m zone, keeping the ball and moving the ball through the hands, playing with patience and creating an overlap for the Skipper, Archie Fothergill to score in the corner. Were we looking at a comeback! Heath. 29. York. 12.

One final power play from Heath saw a driven line out for Josh Crickmay to score the final try. Final score …….Heath 34. York 12.
In the end Heath came out worthy winners, showing huge physicality, determination and desire to win this game.