Heworth 44 vs 14 Oldham St Annes. National Conference League Division 1, round 6. Sat 26.4.25

In National Conference League Division 1 Heworth extended their unbeaten run to four matches and lifted themselves up to second place in the table with an emphatic 44-14 victory over Oldham St Annes at Elmpark Way. The visitor's defence was simply not able to cope with the relentless pace and power of an impressive Villagers side who led 22-10 at the break and totalled eight tries in a thoroughly dominant performance to run out comprehensive winners.

Heworth were quick out of the blocks and went ahead after five minutes when stand off Danny Allan and full back Fraser West combined to send winger Joe Varo in at the left corner for an unconverted score. Two minutes later they increased their advantage when prop Liam Richmond broke away down centre field before sending supporting second rower Ben Barnard over close to the posts for Allan to add the extras for a ten-point lead.

Inexplicably though, and not for the first time in recent matches the Villagers lapsed into a period of indiscipline which led to a string of penalties which gifted their opponents possession and territory. On the quarter hour mark the Saints capitalised to reduce the deficit to six points with a touchdown from winger Sam Johnson. Sensing an upset, they continued to exert strong pressure on the home line but the defence held firm and on 27 minutes the hosts regained the initiative when substitute Ben Dent burst through and exchanged passes with Allan who crossed for a well worked try which he converted himself to make it 16-4. Three minutes later it got even better for Heworth after returning winger Maddox Jeffery fielded a last tackle kick inside his own twenty metre area and sped away on a curving run down the left edge, leaving a trail of defenders in his wake before drawing the full back and handing on to scrum half Liam Jackson who went over unopposed to touch down for a superb score. Substitute Jack Sadler tagged on the two pointer for an eighteen point lead. Five minutes before the break the visitors gave themselves a glimmer of hope with an interception try by centre Joe Hartley goaled by stand off Matt Whitehead. There was still work to do in the closing minutes when the Saints created further good field position but the hosts kept their line intact and went in 22-10 ahead at half time. 

With both teams striving to prevail the opening ten minutes of the second half were evenly contested but it was Heworth who always looked the more threatening and on 51 minutes they went further in front when Richmond charged down a clearing kick by the visitors 35 metres out and followed up to touch down close to the posts for Sadler to slot the simple conversion. Four minutes later it was virtually all over when Sadler turned provider after scooting away from acting half back which led to Jeffrey touching down on the right flank and substitute Callum Rutland added the extras to make it 34-10. St Annes though kept battling away and their efforts were rewarded with quarter of an hour remaining when second rower Craig Basnett went over for a consolation effort. It was the Villagers however who finished with a flourish when loose forward George Elliott and centre Billy Sturdy created the opportunity for Rutland to cross after 70 minutes and four minutes from time Rutland sent West scampering over for their eighth and final try. Sadler's third conversion completed a crushing 44-14 victory.  

Liam Richmond took the man of the match award for Heworth with Fraser West, Adam Dent and Jack Sadler also prominent.

The Villagers have no fixture next Saturday before heading to Warrington a week later on 10 May to face Woolston Rovers. (Kick off 2.30p.m.) 

Match report- Dave Ward