Heworth 22 vs 0 Wigan St Judes. NCL Division 1 Rd 11. Saturday 21.6.25

In National Conference Leaue Division 1 Heworth moved up to third place in the table with a stunning 22-0 victory over second placed Wigan St Judes in sweltering conditions at Elmpark Way. The Villagers who led 10-0 at the break posted two unanswered tries in each half but achieved their success on the back of a rock solid, controlled and uncompromising defensive effort which ensured that the visitors, who are the Division's leading point scorers, were kept scoreless throughout.

Heworth looked threatening right from the start and should have gone in front on 6 minutes after some good inter-passing down centre field created a scoring opportunity but the final ball went to ground. Four minutes later hooker Harley Axe scooted away from acting half on the right edge but was hauled down just short of the line. The Villagers though kept up the pressure and on 18 minutes prop Joe Deighton snapped up the loose ball from a St Judes knock-on forty metres out and charged away on a diagonal run before fending off several defenders to cross for a fine opportunist try. Heworth continued to dominate territory and possession and with quarter of an hour of the half remaining they increased their advantage when centre Billy Sturdy rose to collect a pin-point kick from stand off Danny Allan and touch down by the right corner flag. Substitute Jack Sadler nailed the touchline conversion and the sides went in at the break with the match finely poised and the hosts holding a deserved 10-0 lead.

The second half followed a similar pattern with the Black and Whites renewing their resolute defensive efforts and with just six minutes gone they extended their advantage after laying siege to the visitors line loose forward George Elliott was held up just short to the right of the posts. From the ensuing play the ball a quick shift to the left created space for second rower Harrison Briggs to cut back inside and go over for a vital try which Sadler improved to put them sixteen points ahead. The Saints did their best to up the intensity in an effort to get themselves back into the contest but it was all to no avail and on 59 minutes the Villagers determination to keep their line intact was typified when visiting scrum half Adam Holt finally broke away from a scrum on halfway and looked certain to score but Axe and substitute Callum Rutland had other ideas and raced back to haul him down and hold him up over the line to prevent him from touching down. Six minutes later their was no way back for the visitors when winger Joe Varo forced his way over from close range on the left edge and Sadler's third conversion completed a superb afternoon for the Villagers.

Jack Sadler took Heworth's Man of the match award with Liam Richmond, Joe Deighton and Tom Clarke also prominent.

Next Saturday the Villagers head to Whitehaven for the second time in a fortnight to face old rivals and fellow NCL founder members

Egremont Rangers. (2.30p.m.)

Match report- Dave Ward