Stanningley 12-36 Heworth. National Conference League Division 1, round 5. Saturday 12.4.25

In National Conference League Division 1 Heworth recorded their third consecutive victory with a resounding 36-12 success at Leeds outfit Stanningley. The Villagers posted three first half tries to the hosts two to establish a 16-12 lead at the break before a dominant second half display saw them produce some impressive free flowing rugby which brought them four further touchdown whilst a solid defensive effort kept their opponents scoreless to ensure that the result was never in doubt.

Heworth showed their intentions early and took the lead after just three minutes when some silky handling skills led to centre Adam Dent going over on the left edge for an unconverted score. Right on the quarter hour mark the hosts responded with a touchdown by stand off Jack Sykes goaled by centre Dean Parker to put them ahead for the only time in the match. On 27 minutes the Villagers regained the initiative in spectacular fashion. After a quick shift to the right corner was thwarted just short of the line by the hosts scrambling defence another free flowing move switched the attack to the opposite flank and scrum half Liam Jackson glided through a gap to cross for a superbly worked score. Substitute Jack Sadler added the extras to put them 10-6 in front. Just four minutes later they increased their advantage when centre George Elliott took possession of the ball from a one-and-one steal on the halfway line and raced away for a fine opportunist try which Sadler improved from wide out to make it 16-6. It looked like things would stay that way until the break but, in the closing seconds, the home side got themselves back into the contest after winger Mark Shires crossed from a scrum in centre field and Parker's second conversion reduced the deficit to four points at 16-12.

Heworth came out firing at the start of the second period and scored in the second minute following their first foray into the home half when after working the ball to the right side second rower Ben Barnard proved unstoppable from close range and Sadler slotted the two pointer to restore a ten point lead. Sensing victory they continued to ramp up the pressure and another flowing move led to winger Joe Varo crossing on the left flank to make it 26-12. The hosts were forced to resort some spoiling tactics in an effort to slow the game down but the Villagers were not to be denied and on 73 minutes prop Joe Deighton powered his way over from just short of the line and Sadler's fourth conversion put them out of sight at 32-12. They were still not done though and in the final minute some nifty footwork by full back Fraser West and Varo hoodwinked the Stanningley defenders before second rower Harrison Briggs broke through in centre field forty metres out and shrugged off a number of would-be tacklers to cross for their seventh try to complete a well-deserved victory.

In a fine all round team performance Liam Jackson took Heworth's man of the match award.

The Villagers take a break for the Easter weekend next Saturday and are next in action on 26 April when Oldham St Annes are the visitors to Elmpark Way. (Kick off 2.30p.m.)

Match report-Dave Ward