Keighley suffer defeat in last game of 2019

Heath 34 Keighley 0
by Sam Griffin

Playing on a soggy waterlogged pitch against the heavy weight league leaders Keighley were up against it. From the whistle the visitors were put put under pressure. Good defence and the muddy pitch stalled a number of Heath’s attacking plays. What possession Keighley had was trucked up the middle by the ever reliable centre Sean Kelly. However, the visitors were too often trapped in their own half and suffered a number of penalties. The pressure told and following yet another penalty decision. A quick tap from Heath’s scrum half Dom Walsh and some good interpassing gave number eight Alex Patrick the chance to cross in the corner.
Keighley responded well, they drove the play up field and thought that they had scored at one stage only for the play to be brought back for an off side penalty against them. Heath returned to the attack. Their progress was relatively easy given the constant penalties awarded in their favour at what seemed like every breakdown. Heath’s muscular efforts were rewarded when good close support from the Heath backs brought about an overlap wide out and a try for winger Callum Harriott-Brown.
Heath were now well in control of the game, Keighley had a forward sin binned which gave Heath the opportunity to drive a line out maul over the line, the touch down claimed by captain Alex McFadden A little later good work from the backs gave prop Olly Cook the bonus point try. Keighley although struggling in the scrums started to put their game together, busy scrum half Lucas Uren and his outside half Rich Tillotson were constantly on the look out for opportunities ably backed up by a pack that was prepared to dog it out with the bigger Heath forwards. Unfortunately the good spell of possession and territorial gain came to nothing.
The second half was similar to the first, an arm wrestle up front with Heath gaining the majority of possession. Keighley were put under pressure but their defence held out. At the fifty minute mark one of the Heath players was red carded for a dangerous high tackle. Unfortunately for Keighley they were unable to take advantage due to a solid Heath defence and the deteriorating weather conditions. The torrential rain and sleet meant the game became a muddy mid-field stalemate. Although Keighley battled well and even crossed the opposition try line the final pass was adjudged forward. Heath managed through rugged defence managed to nullify the concerted Keighley efforts. Towards the end of the game with the light fading fast Heath gained good territory and a second try for Olly Cook. This was followed by a hard working try in the corner for full back Eddie Cartwright. Both tries converted by centre Ezra Hinchliffe. A long difficult afternoon for a depleted Keighley, up against the strong efficient league leaders. The festive break in the fixture list will hopefully give them chance to recover and get back to winning ways.

Report from Heath's website by Tom Walton
FINAL SCORE: Heath RUFC 34 vs Keighley RUFC 0
BACK TO WINNING WAYS

15 Eddie Cartwright 14 Si Brown 13 Ezra Huinchliffe 12 Willie Tufui 11 Callum Harriott-Brown 10 Dan Cole 9 Dom Walsh 1 Olly Cook 2 Alex McFadden 3 Paul Turner 4 Matt Beasty 5 Saif Boussaada 6 Dave Skinner 7 Jonny Cole 8 Alex Patrick 16 Chris Moore 17 Jordan Moana 18 Luke Saltonstall

Heath returned to winning ways with a clinical performance against Keighley scoring six tries in the game to gain maximum points and maintain top spot.

Coach Dave Harrison gave starting berths to Si Brown, Olly Cook and Dave Skinner as Luke Saltonstall, Chris Moore and Jordan Moana took a stint on the bench.

After torrential rain all week, thanks to the efforts of club members who had worked all morning to clear standing water in some areas, the pitch was passed playable but conditions would certainly play a part in the game as Heath kicked off. Keighley were immediately put under pressure and they gave away a couple of penalties in their efforts to prevent Heath from scoring but following a quick tap penalty from Dom Walsh Alex Patrick and the evergreen Si Brown linked well for Patrick to go over in the corner and Heath led 5-0 with 8 minutes played.

The visitors response was immediate and they seemed to have scored a try only for the referee to rule a player was offside and Heath were relieved. Heath went back on the attack as they used the back-line with clinical ease and Keighley were constantly penalised and the hosts were rewarded when Williie Tufui slipped a pass to wing Callum Harriott-Brown for Heath's second try,10-0, with a quarter of the game played.

Heath were now controlling the game and, as Keighley had a player sin-binned, it came as no surprise to see captain Alex McFadden score a try from a scrum drive and then, following good work from Ezra Hinchliffe, Callum Harriott-Brown and the enduring Si Brown, Olly Cook was on hand to score the bonus point try and Heath were out of sight 22-0 with 30 minutes played.

Coach Harrison introduced Chris Moore and Jordan Moana for Cook and Patrick as the home side continued to batter into a struggling Keighley defence but there was no further score as half time arrived.

Heath went straight for the warmth of the changing rooms and emerged with a change of shirts to begin the second half and, as Keighley kicked deep, Jonny Cole took possession and stormed through in a strong run to set up the next attack. Unfortunately, on 50 minutes Paul Turner received a red card as the referee deemed a tackle high, so Heath were down to fourteen players. Olly Cook replaced the hard working Dave Skinner and with rain and sleet teeming down the game developed into a mid-field muddy battle. Luke Saltonstall replaced the perennial Si Brown as Keighley began to build on their player numbers' superiority but they could not find a way through a solid Heath defence. The home sides cause was not helped when Jordan Moana was sin-binned and Heath were down to thirteen with a quarter of the game to play.

The visitors continued to battle to find a way through the home defence and Keighley thought they had eventually scored but the try was ruled out for a forward pass. When Luke Saltonstall gathered the ball on the half way line his pass saw Dan Cole put in a superb kick through as he began a chase. The ball held up in the mud but Heath were now on the attack, after weathering the storm with only thirteen players on the field. Dave Skinner returned for Jonnny Cole and when Matt Beasty won the ball Olly Cook was on hand to score his second try and increase Heaths lead to 27-0 with 70 minutes played. Moana returned on the re-start and after receiving the ball he immediately went on a thirty metre run brushing aside attempted Keighley tackles before he off-loaded to Dan Cole and the supporting Eddie Cartwright, who scored a great try in the corner, converted by Ezra Hinchliffe and the scoring was complete, 34-0, with 72 minutes played.

Following a long stoppage for Saif Boussaada to receive treatment he was replaced by Alex Patrick with the amaranthine Si Brown returning as Dan Cole took a break.

Keighley were a spent force as the clocked ticked down and with the lights peering through the dark rain clouds Heath ended the year with yet another win.

The squad now have a break before returning in the New year with a tricky visit to Selby before the eagerly anticipated visit to North Dean from local rivals Old Brodleians. Cannot wait!!!!!!!