It's been a while....

 

...but we should get some rugby this weekend!

After what seems like an eternity without any rugby, this weekend should finally see some normality return to Close Street and the rest of the amateur game!

However, Close Street will have to wait until Sunday for its first game as both open age sides are on the road on Saturday.

The NCL side travel to York Acorn in the 1st round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup. Acorn, with centre Kyle Palmer in a starring role, overcame early season NCL pace-setters Skirlaugh 18-12 last Sunday. Despite Skirlaugh's recent slip down the standings it was still a victory worth taking note of and Paul Hatton's men will be given no time to blow away the cobwebs from the enforced break this coming Saturday. Those of you who travelled up to Thanet Road last season will recall how Heath were 12-0 down before they had touched the ball in last year's league fixture and 20-6 down at half time, with only a Dave Johnson try and Ted Asson conversion to show for their first half efforts. Heath bounced back to outscore Acorn four tries to one in the second half and five tries to four overall only for goal kicking to let us down as we lost 26-22. Heath's other tries came from Darren Woods (fresh of a plane from New York), Dave Sutton, Andrew Stott and Shuan Quinn. Glenn Holland picked up the Man of the Match award for an outstanding all-around effort, but there will be no room for any ring-rustiness on Saturday!

The most recent meeting between the two sides saw Heath run out victors 20-12 at Close Street last February. Dave Johnson bagged a brace and Mike Woods and Dave Sutton one each to go with two Shaun Quinn goals.

Providing Heath don't feel any ill-effects from the big-freeze lay-off they have every chance to progress in what is sure to be a tight affair.

Form Guide (most recent last)

Heath: D W W W W W

Acorn: L W W L D W

The game is a 1.30pm Kick-Off and the coach is booked for 10am

The NWC side are scheduled to be away at Wigan St.Judes in a 2pm Kick-Off. With the fixture backlog already at alarming levels - only two league games played since the end of September. Ste Hull and the boys will be glad just to get a league game under their belt. To say they are in good form maybe a little bizarre given the disruption, but they are unbeaten in the league since the opening day and the only other defeat this season was by two points at the hands of Premier Division leaders Rylands. Judes currently sit one place above Heath in the league standings with seven wins and three defeats from ten outings - they are four points ahead but Heath have four games in hand. I'll back the boys to keep their good run going!

Form Guide

Heath: W W L W W W

Judes: W L L W L W

The pick of Sunday's action at Close Street sees the Under 14's in National Cup action against top Yorkshire outfit Stanley Rangers (Wakefield).

 

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