In the National Conference League Premier Division Heworth are still searching for their first home win after going down 18-16 to Wath Brow Hornets in another nail biting encounter at Elmpark Way. The Villagers held a slender 10-6 lead at the break and with defences dominant in the opening quarter of the second half neither side were able to trouble the scoreboard. Ultimately it all led to a nip and tuck final period which went all the way down to the wire but frustratingly, for the second consecutive week Heworth, despite a valiant effort, failed to close out the match and the Cumbrian outfit posted the deciding try just two minutes from time.
The Villagers started much the stronger of the two sides. showing some good shape and cohesion which led to them taking an early lead after four minutes when stand off Danny Allan sent second rower Tyler Craig striding over for the opening try. Allan slotted the conversion. The hosts maintained their momentum and on 23 minutes they increased their advantage to ten points after scrum half Liam Jackson found prop Liam Richmond on a well-timed diagonal run to outstrip the cover defence and cross for an excellent score. The Hornets suddenly seemed to find another gear and nine minutes later they got themselves back into the match following the introduction of substitute prop Josh McConnell who proved unstoppable after crashing over from short range next to the posts for full back Cole Walker-Taylor to add the extras and reduce the deficit to 10-6 at the break.
Both sides came out with renewed intent at the start of the second half and for the first quarter of an hour defences held firm before the Villagers, in a key moment in the game, found themselves a man down following the 55th minute sin-binning of Danny Allan for, what many thought somewhat harshly an alleged head butt. The visitors capitalised just five minutes later with a touchdown for second rower Clark Riley which was improved by Walker-Taylor to edge themselves ahead for the first time in the match at 12-10. With both sides striving for superiority the action intensified and hosts hooker Jack Sadler and Walker-Taylor exchanged penalty goals on 65 and 68 minutes respectively before Heworth regained the lead with eight minutes to go when a slick handling move created space for centre Harrison Briggs to cross wide out on the left edge to make it 16-14. As the clock ticked down in a frenetic final period it looked as if the Villagers had done enough to prevail but the visitors had other ideas and with two minutes remaining, they produced a set move from a scrum on the twenty metre line which led to winger Morgan McCourt going over in the right corner for the match winning score and leave Heworth still seeking that elusive first home success.
Jack Sadler was voted Man of the match for the Villagers.
Next Saturday Egremont Rangers complete the trio of Cumbrian visitors to Elmpark Way. (Kick off 2.30p.m.)
Match report- Dave Ward
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