Heath Dig Deep for Victory Over Miners

By: Graham Henthorne

Thatto Heath Crusaders 28 v 4 Leigh Miners Rangers

On a bitterly cold day at Close Street Heath certainly warmed the cockles of their Faithful supporter’s hearts with a commanding display over Premier Division Miners.

No quarter was asked or given in a fearsome opening five minutes as both sets of forwards “tested each other out” as the saying goes. And in Ste Woods’s case verbally as well as physically!

But contrary to previous weeks Heath didn’t give their opposition an inch and opened the scoring with a typical piece of Maddocks’ brilliance. Forty metres out he darted blind, committed the full back and put Daz away for a stroll into the corner. Quinny’s touchline conversion gave full value to the effort.

The game was held up for 25 minutes as Miners lost their left centre to a sickening dislocated knee cap. But Heath showed no mercy piling on the pressure.

Drives from the rejuvenated Martin Shea and then Maddocks and Beechy down the right gave Heath good position. On the last Froddy hoisted the bomb. The ball was left to bounce by the Miners full back, and as every good schoolboy will tell you that is a foolish thing to do. It promptly bounced back towards Heath allowing Walshy to scoop it up and gleefully go in for the try. Unbelievably Quinny hit the post with the easiest of kicks.

Heath had a try chalked off for a dubious crossing decision. Legger and the Lambinator had driven deep and when the ball was spread right Quinny had the try taken away.

But Heath did stretch their lead on the half hour as yet another Froddy kick was left to bounce by the full back. This time he took ages to take a long, low grubber and as the ball bobbled DJ swooped to pick up and score.

As predicted Miners came out firing no doubt stung by the proverbial rocket up the posterior parts and tested the Heath defensive line.

Aided by numerous knock on’s they worked a two man overlap down the left for the winger-cum-fullback to score.

The visitors gained in confidence and Heath were just starting to wonder if the Premier Division class was finally going to show when Froddy took the game right away from them.

He finger tipped a speculative wide ball from Miners scrum half and caught the ball out of the air to go in at the corner. Another majestic conversion put Heath three scores clear and led to another round of whingeing from the visitors.

As the game dragged on and more supporters were questioning their abilities to drag the lumps of ice that they used to call feet back to the clubhouse, Daz scored his second thanks to the hapless Miners fullback. Having been moved out to the wing away from Froddy’s bombs, Stotty picked him out with a pearler. He seemed to have caught it but it bobbled free and Daz strolled under the sticks. Quinny rectified the earlier problems and slotted the ball over to complete a comprehensive win.

From 1 to 17 today everyone stood up to be counted and sent their more illustrious (!!) opponent packing. For me Man of the Match must go to Andy Stott for his control of the game throughout but more especially for setting the tempo in defence in the opening quarter with some ferocious tackling.

Having dumped one side of Leigh out Heath’s reward in the next round is to visit the Sporting Village and take on the other side of Leigh.

 

Thatto Heath Crusaders

1. Shaun Quinn

2. Darren Woods

3. Johnny Hughes

4. David Johnson

5. Adam Walsh

6. Andy Stott

7. Chris Frodsham

8. Glenn Holland

9. Kieron Maddocks

10. Martin Shea

11. Mark Beech

12. Ste Woods

13. Andy Bailey

14.Scott Clarke

15.Carl Lamb

16.David Bates

17.Mick Ledger

 

Leigh Miners Rangers

1. Johnny Youds

2. Kieran Dainty

3. Leon Brennan

4. Lee Gittens

5. Daryl Flannery

6. Scott O’Brien

7. Ryan Smith

8. Dean Balmer

9. Danny Jones

10. Daryl Kay

11. Adam Thomason

12. Luke Murfin

13. Liam Coleman

14. Johnny Muir

15. Danny Jackson

16. Tom Dawson

17. Tom Eckersley

 

Thatto Heath Crusaders:

 

Tries : Darren Woods 2, David Johnson, Adam Walsh, Chris Frodsham.

Goals : Shaun Quinn 4.

Drop Goals :.

 

Leigh Miners Rangers:

 

Tries : Kieran Dainty.

Goals :.

Drop Goals :.

 

 

Half Time : Thatto Heath Crusaders 16

Leigh Miners Rangers 0

 

Full Time : Thatto Heath Crusaders 28

Leigh Miners Rangers 4

 

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