Heworth 12 vs 42 Waterhead. NCRL Premier Division round 21. Saturday 19.9.26.

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In the final home game of their National Premier League season Heworth, following a 42-12 defeat at the hands of third placed Waterhead Warriors are relegated to Division 1 for the 2027 season. The Villagers once again, as in previous weeks, showed no lack of effort and only trailed 14-6 at the break but an error strewn second half led to them turning over possession on a regular basis which proved costly and the visitors capitalised to run in five further touchdowns and ease to a comfortable victory.

The Oldham based side played an expansive style of rugby right from the start which brought them two touchdowns in the opening 12 minutes but the hosts showed some stout resistance to restrict them to just one further try on 34 minutes. With the clock ticking down Heworth kept themselves in the match when substitute Tom Smith gathered a rebounding kick close to the line and stretched over to score. Hooker Jack Sadler added the extras to reduce the deficit to 14-6 at the break.

That was as good as it got though for the Black and Whites who gifted the visitors too much field position through unforced errors and they took full toll to post five further second half tries. Heworth did manage a consolation effort on 69 minutes when scrum half Noah Handley and centre Harrison Briggs combined to send winger Sam Parkinson over on the left edge and Sadler slotted a fine touchline conversion.

In a feisty finish Tom Hardy and Jack Sadler along with Waterhead's Adam Robinson were red-carded for alleged punching.,

Tom Hardy took the Man of the match award for the Villagers with Tino Mulase, Harrison Briggs and Ben Barnard also prominent.

Next Saturday Heworth round off their season against Bradford outfit West Bowling. (2.30p.m.)

Report-Dave Ward