Oldham St Annes 14 vs 30 Heworth. Saturday 16.9.25. NCL Division 1 Rd 18.

In National Conference League Division 1 Heworth extended their winning run to five matches with an excellent 30-14 success in strength sapping conditions at Oldham St Annes.

The Villagers held a narrow 10-8 lead at the break but were forced to dig deep to come out on top in a tough physical encounter and it wasn't until the final half hour that they showed their experience to exert their authority and post two unanswered touchdowns to close out the contest.

Heworth were quick out of the blocks and went in front after just two minutes when a quick shift to the right led to winger George Burton going over by the corner flag for an unconverted score. The lead was short lived though and eight minutes later the hosts edged ahead for the only time in the match with a try by scrum half Callum Fletcher goaled by loose forward Lewis Hollidge. On the quarter hour mark the Villagers restored their four point advantage following a strong run by Burton up to the halfway line a quick play the ball allowed second rower Ben Barnard to storm through the defensive line and hand on to supporting hooker Jack Sadler who raced away to cross under the posts and tag on the extras to make it 10-6. With seven minutes of the half remaining the hosts, after being awarded a penalty close to the line, surprisingly spurned a golden attacking opportunity before electing to go for goal and full back Charlie McManus duly obliged with the two pointer to reduce the deficit to two points at the break. 

The Black and Whites, as in the first half, went ahead in the opening two minutes when a good offload from Barnard sent Sadler darting away down the left edge before handing on to centre Billy Sturdy who made good ground and sent out a return pass to Sadler who had stayed up in support to go over for a well worked try and add the conversion via the left upright to extend the advantage to eight points. The Saints though continued to show their battling qualities and on 48 minutes they got themselves back into the contest with a touchdown by substitute Jimmy Hall improved by McManus to make it 16-14. The Villagers were not to be denied and responded three minutes later when loose forward Joe Deighton proved unstoppable close to the line and Sadler added the extras to restore an eight point lead. There was still work to be done however as the hosts roared back on the attack but the visitors resolute defence which has only conceded seven tries in the last five matches soaked up the pressure and kept their line intact. With ten minutes remaining, they struck the match winning blow when an excellent pass from prop Jonny Payne sent stand off Geoge Elliott stepping back inside through a huge gap to cross close to the posts for substitute Finlay Tait to slot the two pointer to make it 28-14. Right on the final whistle Tait added a penalty goal to put the icing on the cake for the jubilant visitors.

Jack Sadler took Heworth's man of the match award.

Next Saturday the Villagers head over the M62 again to face Wigan St Patricks. (2.30p.m.)  

Match report- Dave Ward.