HEATH LEAVE IT TOO LATE IN CRITICAL GAME Heath’s season is at a tipping point following Saturday’s home defeat to fellow strugglers Staines. Having played with enthusiasm and vigour in the past few games Heath were looking to seal their first win of the season, but could not find those same team-based qualities until too late in the game. On balance, Staines were the better of two sides searching for form and deserved the win they appeared to want more than Heath. All is not yet lost for Heath, but the defeat hasn’t made the challenge any easier. Following a series of heavy downpours the Whiteman’s Green pitch was heavy under foot. The visitors recognised this from the outset and focused their game plan on securing solid first phase ball and driving upfield through close quarter maul and ruck. Heath were more intent on spreading the ball wide and using the pace of Roscoe Atkins, Robbie Fotheringham and Jack Lucas. A combination of Staines’s tight defensive line and slowly delivered ball minimised the space available and Heath rarely threatened. Staines on the other hand took advantage of the few opportunities created by either side, initially through straightforward penalties on the 8th and 20th minutes for a 6-0 lead. With Heath’s defence holding under occasional pressure, it wasn’t until the closing minutes of the first half that the first try came as the first crack appeared from a series of rucks close to the Heath line. The conversion took the half time score to 13-0 to the visitors and, although Heath had shown little real sign of urgency, all was not lost. With Sam Drage and Nick Main (again tidying up well at the base of the scrum) always keen to take the ball forward - supported ably by Max Drage and Adie Winters - and Alex Meredith urging his forwards on and kicking astutely into the corners, Heath looked a little more lively. Uncertainty in securing line out ball and in decision-making with ball in hand all too often squandered hard-won territory and much of the game took place in midfield with neither side threatening. Although a searing 60 metre run from Atkins needed only a final pass to put Meredith in, it was the introduction of Josh Salisbury and George Heron that lent much-needed impetus and it was the former who crashed over from 5 metres out with ten minutes to go. The conversion sailed wide and, at 5-13, Heath still needed two scores to edge the game. It was not to be and, with Staines adding a penalty on the final whistle, the game ended at 5-16 – Staines’s first win for 19 months. Heath were desolate and the positive performances of former Colts Billy Twelvetrees and Joe Marler in England’s win against Argentina at Twickenham, provided little consolation. With no game next week, Heath’s squad – now losing promising young Sam Fieldwick to a ski season – will be reflecting on what now needs to be done to recover momentum. There are still opportunities to break the losing habit before Christmas, but it’s going to need focused and concerted effort from the whole squad on match days and on the training pitch. Team: Chris Turner (capt), Max Drage, Jack Bull, Adie Winters, Tom Burns (George Heron), Will Hoare (Josh Salisbury), Sam Drage, Nick Main, Alex Meredith, Sam Fieldwick, Jez Pattie (Owain Jenkns), Gareth Quay, Jack Lucas, Roscoe Atkins, Robbie Fotheringham.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:28:47 +0000
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