Academy 27-22 Heath
With no 2nd team game many clubs would bolster the 3rds but that isn't the Academy way.
Academy 27-22 Heath
With no 2nd team game many clubs would bolster the 3rds but that isn't the Academy way.
Leigh Sugden came along to have a run for the last 20 with his old sparring partner Bob Clark who returned after a few seasons not playing in an otherwise genuine Academy side.
Keighley started sprightly with player coach Mick Philips crossing early on with a well taken unconverted try.
This certainly brought Heath to life , their mix of youth and experience combined well to win a penalty in front of the posts and then follow up with 2 excellent converted tries.
Keighley stuck to their guns and continued to press and were rewarded before half time with another unconverted try by new scrum half Mark Walton getting his 2nd try in his 2nd game.
The half time call was to start strong and the Academy certainly did that , No8 Buckley forced is way over for yet another unconverted try.
Stalemate followed for the next 20 minutes until Bob Clark scored a well deserved try which was then almost immediately cancelled out when Heath broke away for a score to take a 2 point lead with only a few minutes to go.
But this Academy side is growing after some hard lessons this season and refused to lie down.
Continued pressure finally got its deserves with what was to be the last play, Bob Clarke crashing over for a try which was converted by Philips.
A fitting finale to what was a cracking game played in great spirit by two highly committed sides.
Match Report by: Loz Marklew