Shaw Cross Sharks 08 vs 12 Heworth. NCL Division 1 Rd 20. Saturday 6.9.25.

Heworth maintained their challenge for an automatic promotion place in National Conference League Division 1 with a nervy and extremely fortunate 12-8 victory at fifth placed Shaw Cross Sharks. The Villagers, who were way below their best, led 6-4 at the break and it wasn't until four minutes from the final whistle that they were able to post the match winning score.

There were no signs of things to come after the hosts failed to field the opening kick off and from the resulting scrum Heworth capitalised on the error when scrum half Liam Jackson and full back Fraser West combined to send centre Harrison Briggs striding through a gap to cross for the opening try. Stand off George Elliott added the conversion for a six point lead. On 14 minutes the Sharks responded with a touchdown by left winger Ben Land to reduce the deficit to two points. For the remainder of the half the Villagers struggled to find any cohesion and turned over possession on a regular basis which, with the hosts sensing success, severely tested their defensive qualities but they proved up to the task and went in at the break holding a tenuous 6-4 lead.

The Black and Whites continued to struggle with their execution at the start of the second period and it was no surprise when on 56 minutes Sharks loose forward Max Sheard charged over for an unconverted try to edge them 8-6 ahead. The hosts continued to up the intensity and again exerted strong pressure on the visitor's line but the defence held firm to prevent another score. Gradually Heworth were able to create some momentum and threatened the home line on a number of occasions but just couldn't find the finishing touch and as the clock ticked down to five minutes it looked as if the Sharks were going to prevail. The Villagers though dug deep and just a minute later Elliott rose to pluck a high pin-point cross kick from Jackson to plunge over for the match winning try and substitute Jack Sadler's conversion completed what for the most part had looked an unlikely victory.

Fraser West took Heworth's Man of the match award.

Next Saturday the Villagers face a massive task when they travel to League leaders Wigan St Judes for a match, which with just two games remaining, could turn out to be a Championship decider. (2.30p.m).

Match report-Dave Ward