Heworth 10 vs 54 Siddal. NCRL Premier Division round 19. Saturday 5.9.26

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In the National Premier League Heworth were soundly beaten 54-10 by third placed Siddal on bright and breezy afternoon at Elmpark Way. The Villagers trailed 32-0 at the break and struggled throughout to contain the pace and power of the well drilled Halifax outfit who posted six first half tries to effectively end the match as a contest. The Black and Whites though showed some commendable resistance in the second period in both defence and attack to prevent what was threatening to be a mammoth scoreline.

The visitors showed their early intent and made a blistering start which brought them three tries in the opening ten minutes to open up a 16-0 lead. Heworth continued to struggle for possession and field position mainly due to committing a number of basic errors which didn't help their cause and Siddal capitalised to post three more touchdowns to forge an unassailable 32-0 interval lead.

The second period started in similar fashion with visitors winger Oliver Lewis crossing twice to complete his hat trick in the opening ten minutes to extend their advantage to 40-0. Heworth though kept plugging away and on 56 minutes some excellent inter-passing created some good field position close to their opponents line which led to stand off Dan Clarke nudging a neat kick behind the defence and second rower Ben Barnard followed up to touch down. Clarke also slotted the extras. Siddal were in no mood to ease off the gas and responded with tries in the 61st and 68th minute respectively to bring up the half century at 50-6. The Villagers however produced a further response when winger Ellis Southerington created space

on the left edge and kicked through for centre Harrison Briggs to ground the ball by the corner flag for an unconverted score. The Halifax side though had the last word when with just four minutes left on the clock second rower Harvey Williams went over for his second try to add to his five conversions for a personal tally of 18 points to complete a comprehensive victory.

Tom Hardy took the Man of the match award for the Villagers with Freddie Wilson and Riley Barstow also catching the eye.

Next Saturday Heworth have another difficult task when they travel to Leeds to face second placed Championship contenders

Hunslet ARLFC. (2.30p.m.)

Report-Dave Ward