Thatto Heath Crusaders 48 vs 38 Heworth. NCL Premier Division round 5. Saturday 11.4.26

In the National Premier League Heworth, in a high scoring encounter, fell to a 48-38 defeat at St Helens outfit Thatto Heath Crusaders. The Villagers trailed 30-6 at the break and paid the price for a woeful first half defensive display in which they conceded five unanswered converted tries in the opening half hour to give themselves a mountain to climb for the remainder of the match. To their credit though, following a half time roasting from Coaches Dan Briggs and Liam Watling they showed great character to stage a spirited and determined fightback in the second period but, despite a tremendous effort, victory proved just a bridge too far.

The hosts opened the scoring after just three minutes with a try by strong running second rower Jamie Holroyd who was followed over four minutes later by winger Callum Gregory. The Crusaders continued to dominate possession and  went on to take full advantage of some weak tackling to run in three further touchdowns in the 11th, 24^th and 30^th minutes from full back Sean Leicester, second rower Liam Kenyon and a second for Holroyd. Scrum half Ryan Houghton slotted all five conversions for what was already looking like an unassailable 30-0 lead.  Heworth though finally managed to give themselves a faint glimmer of hope with two minutes remaining when the hosts failed to deal with a wickedly bouncing kick behind their own line and centre Harrison Briggs followed up to touch down. Scrum half Callum Rutland added the extras to reduce the deficit to 30-6 at the break. 

The Black and Whites came out firing at the start of the second period and with barely five minutes gone they forged their way up field and Rutland put second rower Ben Barnard through a gap to go over to the right of the posts for the scrum half to tag on the two pointer. The Villagers kept up the momentum and eight minutes later Rutland dummied his way over to touch down on the left edge and slot the conversion to reduce the deficit to 30-18. This seemed to sting the home side into action and it looked like game over after they hit back right on the hour mark with Gregory's second effort and Holroyd completing his hat trick just four minutes later. Houghton improved both scores to complete a seven goal tally to make it 42-18. Heworth however had other ideas and with highly influential half backs Jack Sadler and Rutland leading them round the park they ramped up the pressure. On 70 minutes Sadler put Rutland in for his second touchdown and five minutes later Barnard completed a brace after proving unstoppable from 15 metres out. The number seven slotted both conversions to make it 42-30. The Villagers were still not done though and home nerves were really on edge after some excellent handling produced two tries in the 77^th and 79^th minute for winger Riley Barstow to put them just four points in arrears.

In a frantic final minute with the clock ticking down Heworth chose to run a penalty and an attempted kick through the defensive line was snapped up by home winger Mason Phillips who raced away to touch down under the posts and add the extras for a 48-38 success.

Jack Sadler took the Villagers Man of the match award.

Next Saturday Bradford outfit West Bowling are the visitors to Elmpark Way. (2.30p.m.)  

Report-Dave Ward