Heworth 48-8 Woolston Rovers. NCL Division 1 Rd 22. Saturday 20.9.25

After a one year absence Heworth sealed an immediate return to the National Conference League Premier Division with a comfortable 48-8 success over basement side Woolston Rovers in rainswept conditions at Elmpark Way. The Villagers after an evenly fought first half held a slender 12-8 lead at the break before going on to post seven unanswered tries in the second period to run out comprehensive winners.

Heworth went in front on 11 minutes when stand off Dan Clarke's excellent inside ball sent second rower Liam Richmond striding over on an angled run to the line for a well worked try which was converted by scrum half Jack Sadler. Five minutes later they doubled their advantage after Sadler turned provider for full back Fraser West to cross to the right of the posts for the scrum half to add the extras for a 12-0 lead. On 23 minutes the visitors hit back with their only  touchdown of the match by prolific loose forward Harry Files which was improved by stand off Ryan Brown who, right on the stroke of half time slotted a penalty goal to reduce the deficit to four points at the break.

That was as good as it got for the Warrington based outfit as the Black and Whites completely dominated the second period with Richmond registering his second try in the fifth minute off an excellent pass from Sadler who again obliged with the two pointer to make it 18-8. Five minutes later winger George Burton crossed on the right edge direct from a tap penalty which Sadler improved from wide out and on 58 minutes loose forward George Elliott sent centre Billy Sturdy striding over for an unconverted score to give the Villagers a twenty-point lead. Heworth were now in total control of the match and five minutes later Elliott burst through the defensive line to touch down to the right of the posts and Sadler's fifth conversion put them out of sight at 34-8. On 71 minutes Elliott was in again after following up to touch down his own chip kick before, four minutes later, Richmond completed his hat trick after proving unstoppable from thirty metres out. Elliott slotted the extras and right on the final whistle, following a bizarre exchange of kick tennis he took possession and charged over to complete his hat trick for a 48-8 victory.

Liam Richmond earned the Villagers Man of the match award with prop Jonny Payne, Elliott and young substitute Ben Blackburn also prominent. 

Match report- Dave Ward