Kells 10 vs 28 Heworth. NCL Division 1 Rd 10. Saturday 14.6.25.

In National Conference League Division 1 Heworth remain in fourth place in the table on points difference from Shaw Cross Sharks after making the long journey to Cumbria and coming away with a resounding 28-10 victory over Whitehaven outfit Kells. In a game played on a difficult sloping pitch in wet and blustery conditions the Villagers, who were never behind in the match, posted three first half tries to lead 18-4 at the break before going on to add two further touchdowns in the second period to run out comprehensive winners.

Heworth playing down the slope made an explosive start and went ahead in the fifth minute after winger Maddox Jeffery spotted space on the right edge from a play the ball thirty-five metres out and sped away to touch down by the corner flag. On a testing day for the kickers loose forward George Elliott added a fine touchline conversion. Five minutes later they doubled their advantage when hooker Harley Axe again caught the home defence unawares to scoot over under the posts from close range direct from acting half and stand off Dan Clarke slotted the simple two pointer for a 12-0 lead. The Villagers continued to dominate the early possession and on 25 minutes scrum half Liam Jackson sent debutant substitute Mackenzie Scurr striding through a gap to score wide out on the left side and this time fellow substitute Jack Sadler judged the gusty cross wind to perfection in adding the extras. On the half hour mark the hosts finally managed to create some pressure on the visitors line and gave themselves a ray of hope after scrum half James Ennis took advantage of a defensive lapse in concentration to cross for an unconverted score and the sides went in at the break with Heworth holding a handy 18-4 lead.

With the slope now in their favour Kells came out strongly at the start of the second half and it was all to play for after just five minutes when winger Joe Moore went over on the left edge and stand off Ross Gainford nailed the conversion to reduce the deficit to eight points. The remaining period became a real arm wrestle with both sides expending huge amounts of energy to prevail but as the weather began to worsen driving rain produced some tricky handling conditions and the error count began to mount. Ultimately though, it was Heworth's superior ability to master the elements, combined with a rock solid defensive effort which led to their success and on 55 minutes Jackson was again the provider for Scurr to cross for his second touchdown. Sadler once more managed to drift the ball between the posts to virtually seal the match at 24-10. Full back Fraser West's try five minutes from time put the icing on the cake for the jubilant Black and Whites to round off a superb team effort.

Harley Axe took Heworth's Man of the match award.

The Villagers face another stiff test next Saturday when second placed Wigan St Judes are the visitors to Elmpark Way. Kick off 2.30p.m.

Match report- Dave Ward