Injuries and mistakes take their toll as Heath lose at Fylde

The visitors’ plight was not helped by a growing injury list, but they underperformed and are now in the bottom three in the National League Two North table.

It began badly for Heath when a serious injury to Tom Stansfield held up play before Fylde registered the first try of the game on six minutes.

Heath tried to respond, but could not break a resilient home defence and, from another break, Fylde added to their tally with a converted try midway through the half.

Once again, Heath had to regroup and they opened their account five minutes later when slick handling sent Callum Harriott-Brown over in the corner. Chris Johnson added the extras with a superb conversion from the touchline and Heath were back in the game at 12-7.

From the restart, an off-the-ball incident was spotted by the referee and the home side had a player yellow carded.

With Fylde under pressure, Johnson found touch in the corner from the resulting penalty. Heath won line-out ball and the charge to the try-line was on.

In sheer desperation, Fylde were battling to prevent a score and, following a fracas, had a second player carded for fighting, along with Heath's Ben Stringer.

Heath had the advantage but could only convert a penalty to reduce the arrears to 12-10.

Fylde responded and went in search of a score, putting Heath under massive pressure and, from a lineout, they drove over for a try that gave them a 17-10 advantage at the break.

Zac Baker replaced Tom Egan as Heath went looking for an early score and they were rewarded with a penalty conversion from Johnson in the opening minute of the second half.

Injuries to Tom Stansfield and Harry Fell saw Dan Smith and Harry Harrison come on, as Fylde looked for another score. Heath were up against it and after an injury to Dillon North, which saw Josh Beck come on, Fylde scored a converted try to extend their lead to 24-13.

Heath were all over the place as the home side took advantage and Jonny Cole replaced Alex McFadden but, as the Heath players put their bodies on the line, Jake Haynes had to leave the field injured to be replaced by Harry Fell.

Fylde continued to press, scoring two converted tries to lead 38-13 and the game was dead and buried for Heath.

On the hour, with Heath under pressure, Josh Buller received a technical yellow and, five minutes later, Alex McFadden returned for the injured Tom Clough.

But Heath were making too many mistakes and allowed Fylde to score a converted try and then, in the last play of the game, and deep into injury time, Zac Baker was carded. Fylde took advantage with an unconverted try for a final score of 50-13.

Fylde fully deserved the win and the result saw them overtake Heath in the table. Heath will hope for better fortunes on Saturday when they host old rivals Harrogate.

Heath Hawks were pipped 26-24 by Counties Two Yorkshire B leaders Sheffield.

Hawks went into half time 17-9 down but the second half was a different matter and the visitors looked to be creaking as Heath fought their way back.

A late Heath try put them within two points but the conversion bounced off the posts and Sheffield held on to claim victory.