In the National Conference League Premier Division injury hit Heworth, fielding several younger players, showed commendable effort to produce a determined and spirited display but eventually went down 28-16 to fourth placed Rochdale Mayfield in an entertaining encounter at Elmpark Way. After a free flowing first half, played at a relentless pace the Villagers matched their opponents throughout the sides went in level 10-10 at the break. The visitors though seized the initiative after posting two converted tries in a six minute period early in the second half to establish a 22-10 lead. Heworth, to their credit, showed tremendous resilience to hit back and reduce the deficit to six points with quarter of an hour remaining. Mayfield however had the final word after crossing for their final touchdown with just two minutes remaining on the clock.
The Villagers took an early three minute lead when hooker Harley Axe caught the visitors unawares after darting away down the short side and sending young winger Zac Towse over by the right corner flag for an unconverted try. With both sides intent on moving the ball at every opportunity it was end to end action and on 17 minutes the visitors levelled with a try by winger Max Riseman. On the half hour mark Heworth regained the lead when promising debutant youngster, scrum half Dan Clarke's excellent pass sent second rower Ben Barnard crashing over by the posts for Clarke to add the simple conversion to make it 10-4. Right on the stroke of half time Mayfield responded with a touchdown from loose forward Lewis Butterworth which was goaled by full back Jordan Parr to restore parity at 10-10.
The early part of the second half belonged to the visitors who upped the intensity to post tries by centre Dakota Tolhurst and Parr who also tagged on both conversions for a 22-10 lead after 53 minutes. The Black and Whites though refused to lie down and hit back with quarter of an hour remaining when a quick shift to the left of the posts found stand off Ben Dent who dummied his way over on a twenty-metre run to the line for a well taken try which was improved by Clarke to reduce the deficit to six points at 22-16. In a frenetic final period, it was the red rose outfit who sealed the match with their final touchdown from hooker Sean Slater and Parr' fourth goal two minutes from the final whistle.
Ben Barnard was Man of the match for the Villagers with Ben Dent, Harrison Briggs, George Burton and Fraser West also prominent in a fine all round team performance.
Next Saturday Heworth travel to St Helens to face Thatto Heath Crusaders. (Kick off 2.30p.m.)
Report - Dave Ward
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