In the National Conference League Premier Division Heworth, in their penultimate game of the season, ensured that their battle for survival will go all the way down to the wire next week after an excellent 40-14 victory at old Cumbrian rivals Egremont Rangers. The Villagers made light of the long journey to post four first half tries for a 22-10 lead at the break and then went on to add three further touchdowns in the second period to run out comfortable winners.
The early exchanges were evenly contested with both sets of forwards testing each other out but it was Heworth who opened the scoring after 12 minutes when a quick shift to the right sent debutant winger Liam Donaldson over in the corner and scrum half Jack Sadler added a fine touchline conversion for a 6-0 lead. Eight minutes later the hosts hit back to level with a touchdown by stand off Fraser McNee goaled by full back Tom Houghton. On 24 minutes the Villagers regained the advantage when another good handling move created space for full back Fraser West to cross on the left edge. Sadler again obliged with the extras to put them six points ahead. It got even better just four minutes later when centre George Elliott intercepted a stray pass by the hosts just inside his own half and charged away to score close to the posts for Sadler to add the simple conversion to make it 18-6. Five minutes before the break McNee went in for his second touchdown to reduce the deficit to eight points before right on the stroke of half time Heworth produced an impressive trademark slick handing movement which led to West going over in the left corner for his second score to give them a handy 22-10 lead.
With each side recognising that the next score would be vital the opening period of the second half was an attritional affair which led to both teams showing a lack of ball control and committing basic errors which didn't help their cause. The pivotal moment came after 66 minutes when Heworth centre Ben Dent shrugged off several defenders and broke away over the halfway line before handing on to the supporting Sadler who raced away to score a fine try and add the extras to make it 28-10. Three minutes later Elliott completed a brace after snapping up a dropped pass on the right edge and going over unopposed for Sadler to slot the two pointer. The Black and Whites were still not done and with six minutes remaining a neat offload from prop Ben Barnard close to the line put second rower Harrison Briggs over for their final try and Sadler's sixth conversion put them out of sight at 40-10. Centre Jak Conway's late touchdown proved scant consolation for Rangers.
A fine all round performance by Jack Sadler earned him the Villagers Man of the match award.
Heworth have a mammoth task to avoid the drop in their final must win match next Saturday when fourth placed and defending champions Hunslet ARLFC are the visitors to Elmpark Way.
Report-DaveWard
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