In round 19 of the National Conference League Premier Division, Heworth entertained Bradford outift West Bowling, another one of the teams who came up with them last year, albeit as champions of that league. Having pinched the points in Bradford earlier this year and with both sides sitting in the bottom three this added to the depth of the game.
The Villagers made the worst possible start when after only 2 minutes some weak defending let centre Charlie Barrett in and Harry Williams added the two. 12 minutes later the visitors added to their quick start when they ran the ball on the short side on the last, a bold move that paid big dividends. Some swift hands took the ball out then back in and a lovely off load opened the defence for second rower Rich Lumb to ease through the gap. Kick was unsuccessful.
Heworth needed a response and just 5 minutes later they got some rewards for their efforts. A repeat set gave them the position to attack the posts, Liam Richmond did just this and despite the attention of 3 would be tacklers was able to free his arms and drop the ball into the waiting Harley Axe who had enough presence to go low and fast to score to the left of the posts. Debutant half back Jack Potter added the extras, 6-10.
Heworth were now back in the game and had their tales up for a period. Adam Dent went close on 22 and forced a drop out. From this kick Heworth shifted to an edge where Billy Sturdy flew in only to be ruled a forward pass. The home team continued to apply pressure and some neat handling opened a gap that Jack Potter bolted through but gain was foiled by the official who deemed a crossing move. It was a mixed day for the lone official who would continue to frustrate the home team and supporters with a string of indifferent decisions as he blew the whistle for sheds, the 2 ruled out tries would prove to be the harshest.
The black and whites started the second brightly, Fraser West making a huge 50m break but lacking support the resultant kick to corner came to nothing. This gave Bowing the ball back and the next play would be crucial in the context of the game. Shaping to go right their half fed the ball left to seemingly nobody, the ball bobbling along the turf for what seemed an age. Wests 6 collected it and ran around one defender then inside the next and fed the impressive Dom Brambani who scooted under the posts, Harry Williams obliging with the extras. 6-16 to the visitors.
Ben Barnard was next to slice open the defence and another great 40m break resulted in nothing again with support unable to reach him. But on 50 minutes the game was taken away from the hosts as once again Brambani played creator hitting a great line and creating a gap and feeding the supporting Lumb on hand he would score close enough for Williams to add 2 and take the game out to 6-22.
Heworth wouldn’t lie down though, Jack Sadler scooting from close range to be held up followed by Jack Aldous going close only to be denied by a ridiculous ball steal seen by all but one person. But the pressure would tell eventually and Ben Dent attacked the line again and a lovely inside pass would allow Liam Richmond to take the full back over the line under the posts, Potter adding the bits 12-22. With 10 remaining there was more hope and the influential Ben Dent again turned creator hitting a half gap at pace opened Wests up to feed the supporting Harrison Briggs. No supporting kick but it was now a 6 point game with 9 on the clock.
The next score would be key to deciding the game and with both teams still hitting and running hard in searing heat a penalty would decide the game as Bowling elected to take 2 and close the game out, Williams the benefactor on 75 minutes from range, 16 -24. Despite this there was still time for both teams to get to know each other better as a coming together in the final minute demonstrated the importance of the game to both sides.
Jack Aldous took the Heworth man of the match and as pushed hard by Liam Richmond and Ben Dent. With 3 games to go it is still all to play for, starting with the table topping Siddal visiting Elm Park next Saturday 14:30
Report- Paul Harrison
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