Heath slip into bottom two with heavy defeat at Wharfedale

The home side kicked off and put Heath under pressure from the start, scoring a converted try after seven minutes. Some slick handling from the home team pulled the Heath defence apart as they struggled to come to terms with the game and it came as no surprise to see Wharfedale increase their lead to 14-0 with 16 minutes on the clock.

With 20 minutes played, a huge clearance from Chris Johnson put Heath into the home side's 22, but to no avail as the Dalesmen stole the ball, cleared their line and went back on the attack. A superb tackle from Elliott Spiers prevented a score but Wharfedale were out to add to their tally and were rewarded with another converted try.

Luke Townsend replaced Chris Moore as Heath went in search of opening their account but the home side were determined to keep a clean sheet.

A run from Seb Jeffers set up a chance as the ball came out to Jake Haynes who was bundled into touch with the try-line beckoning and the home side denied any score for Heath as the half time whistle sounded.

The second half saw Heath come out all guns blazing and another superb break from Jeffers opened up the home defence.

Harry Harrison was on hand to receive the ball and he slipped it to Jake Haynes who touched down in the corner for an unconverted try that made it 21-5 with 44 minutes played. Unfortunately, for Haynes, he was injured in the try and had to leave the field, replaced by Callum Harriott-Brown.

From the restart the home side were awarded a penalty which they converted to increase their lead 24-5 and then again they went in search of adding to their tally, putting Heath under severe pressure.

Sam Cox and Sam Sharp came on for Zac Baker and Dillon North as Heath continued to be tested but they could not prevent Wharfedale scoring another converted try after 57 minutes to increase their lead to 34-5.

An injury to Harvey Keighley-Payne saw North return to the action and, against the run of play, some slick passing from Heath saw Harry Harrison round off the move with a try on the hour mark.

However, from the restart, Wharfedale went straight back on the attack and a mazy run from their wingman saw him dance over the try-line for a converted try, 41-10. With Johnson receiving a yellow card Heath were up against it to say the least.

Once again, despite having a man down, Heath responded; putting the home side under pressure and, when a Wharfedale player was carded, Heath took advantage with a try from Alfie Jones and the conversion from Cliff Howard.

It was now a chase for the bonus point try for Heath. Unfortunately, Wharfedale had other ideas and scored two converted tries in the final ten minutes to run out convincing winners.

The win saw Wharfedale climb out of the relegation spots, with Heath replacing them in the bottom two. Next week, high flying Chester are the visitors to North Dean.

Heath Hawks were too strong for Halifax Vandals in their Counties 2 Yorkshire B derby clash and won 55-13.