Heworth opened their Impact Performance National Conference League Division 1 campaign with a trip to Wigan to face Ince Rose Bridge and in a tough attritional encounter were agonisingly edged out 28-26 with the hosts crossing for the match winning try in the final minute of the match. It was a scrappy, stop start affair with the referee issuing a constant string of penalties which severely restricted the flow of the game. In addition the Villagers left feeling hard done by after being on the wrong end of a number of contentious decisions which didn't go their way and proved crucial to the result of the match. The hosts went in front after five minutes with a try by hooker Keiron Malone converted by scrum half Ben Cottrill. Heworth responded with a good spell of pressure and levelled after 20 minutes when full back Adam Dent took advantage of an offload from stand off Danny Allan to go over close to the posts for Allan to add the extras. Four minutes later they took the lead when a quick shift to the right led to centre George Elliott crossing wide out on the right for an unconverted score. Right on the half hour mark the hosts got themselves back in front with a touchdown from second rower Jack Morrison goaled by loose forward Rob Valentine to make it 12-10. Five minutes before the break Heworth looked to have regained the lead after Elliott went over in the right corner only to have the score chalked off by the referee, on the advice of the touch judge, for a forward pass.
The home side gave themselves an immediate boost just three minutes into the second half by increasing their lead to eight points with a try by centre Ben Tootill improved by Valentine. The Villagers though responded immediately when substitute Harrison Briggs charged down an opposition kick from 35 metres out and weaved his way over for a fine opportunist effort to reduce the deficit to four points. Just four minutes later they were back in front with their best try of the match which came after a blind side move on the left edge sent winger George Atang racing away before being hauled down short of the line. A quick play the ball followed by some impressive handling led to Elliott crossing in the opposite corner for his second touchdown and a towering touchline conversion from substitute Jack Sadler nudged them two points ahead. It got even better for the Black and Whites ten minutes later when centre Tyler Craig forced his way over from close range and Sadler slotted his second goal to make it 26-18. Three minutes later it was all to play for when Valentine went over for the hosts to put them back within two points. In a frantic final period both sides exerted strenuous efforts to come out on top and with frustrations mounting for the Villagers it was the home side who struck the killer blow in the final minute with Valentine's second try and Cottrill's conversion deciding the contest. Danny Allan took the man of the match award for Heworth. The Villagers will be determined to bounce back next week when Skirlaugh are the visitors to Elmpark Way. kick off 2.30p.m.
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