Egremont Rangers 6 vs 42 Heworth. NCL Division 1 Rd 12. Saturday 28.6.25.

In National Conference League Division 1 Heworth, for the send time in a fortnight, made the long journey up to Whitehaven to face old rivals and fellow NCL founder members Egremont Rangers and after a clinical, polished and extremely impressive display came away with a 42-6 victory to move them up to second place in the table. The Villagers playing into a strong breeze up the notorious Gillfoot Park slope in the first half were only able to post one try for a slender 4-0 lead at the break but with the elements in their favour turned on the style to register seven more touchdowns in the second period whilst restricting the hosts to a solitary consolation effort.

There was no signs of things to come in the opening twenty minutes when the hosts. after dominating possession and territory, were able to exert strong pressure on the Heworth line but a resolute defensive effort negated the threat. The Villagers remained patient and gradually worked their way into the match before going in front after 26 minutes after a trademark crisp handling movement led to winger George Burton, returning to action after a eight week lay-off through injury, crossing on the left edge for a superb score. The remainder of the half was evenly contested with both sides creating chances but neither were able to trouble the scoreboard and the visitors led 4-0 at the break. 

The home side made a poor start to the second half allowing the kick off to bounce into touch and the Black and Whites were quick to capitalise on the error. From the resulting play the ball they quickly moved the ball to the right and second rower Liam Richmond charged through to touch down. Substitute Jack Sadler added the extras to increase their advantage to ten points. Five minutes later things got even worse for Rangers when stand off Danny Allan's well time pass sent prop Joe Deighton powering over for an unconverted score. The Villagers were now firmly on the front foot and on 51 minutes another good handling movement created space for centre Adam Dent to cross on the left edge.  On 57 minutes substitute Callum Rutland was the provider for centre Billy Sturdy to touch down in the opposite corner to put them virtually out of sight at 26-0. The spirited hosts managed a brief rally and after forging up the hill on 62 minutes substitute Brad Long burst over close to the posts for stand off Kristian Tyson to add the conversion to reduce the deficit to twenty points. That proved to be scant consolation though for the Cumbrians after Heworth regained full control of the contest just four minutes later when more quick hands put Dent in for his second try which Allan improved to make it 32-6. It was all one way traffic now and on 73 minutes second rower Harrison Briggs followed up a neat kick over the defensive line from loose forward George Elliott to score. With just two minutes left on the clock Briggs went in for his second touchdown and Rutland added the conversion to complete the rout.

Scrum half Liam Jackson took the Man of the match award for Heworth.  

Next Saturday Stanningley are the visitors to Elmpark Way. (2.30p.m.)  

Report-Dave Ward