In the National Conference League Premier Division Heworth, again fielding a side containing several promising youngsters, kept their hopes of surviving in the top flight alive with a morale boosting last gasp 22-18 success in breezy conditions at St Helens outfit Thatto Heath Crusaders. The Villagers, after an indifferent first half performance, trailed 14-4 at the break but dug deep to show great character and a never say die attitude to restrict the hosts to just a solitary try in the second period whilst posting three touchdowns of their own to take the spoils. In a tense finish it wasn't until the dying seconds that winger George Burton crossed for the match winning score.
The Crusaders had the better of the opening exchanges and went in front after ten minutes with a try by winger Jake Dickinson who was unable to add the extras. Heworth hit back to level six minutes later when a fluent handling movement led to centre George Elliott crossing on the right edge for an unconverted score. The hosts again began to look the more threatening and dominated pressure and territory with their big forwards making strong yards up the middle and it took some stout defending by the Villagers to keep them at bay. Eventually though something had to give and on 27 minutes the Crusaders regained the lead with a touchdown from centre Adam Saunders goaled by Dickinson to make it 10-4. The hosts ramped up the pressure and five minutes later after the visitors failed to gather a high attacking kick, they moved the ball to the right and Saunders followed up to touch down a second kick behind the defensive line to put them 14-4 ahead at half time.
The home side came out at the start of the second half fully intent on increasing their lead but it was the Black and Whites who got themselves back into the contest on 51 minutes when after a rare visit into the hosts twenty metre area Elliott muscled his way over direct from acting half back close to the line and substitute Jack Sadler slotted the conversion to reduce the deficit to four points. The Villagers though still continued to maintain any cohesion and struggled to complete their sets of six tackles which denied them any field position. As a result of this they spent long periods pinned in their own half defending the line which they did admirably but the Crusaders with the momentum in their favour looked to have sealed the match on 72 minutes with a touchdown by centre Sean Leicester to make it 18-10. Heworth however, had other ideas and it was all to play for five minutes later when they summoned up some inner strength to surge downfield and Elliott crossed to complete his hat trick which Sadler improved to bring them within two points. With home nerves jangling it was essential that the Villagers maintained possession from the kick off and they did just that and made good yardage just over the halfway line before forcing the hosts to concede a penalty. Sensing victory they shunned the chance of going for goal and after kicking for touch they moved the ball to the right edge but were just held short of the line. As the clock ticked down into the final minute they produced a superb flowing handling move for young winger George Burton to go over by the left corner flag to seal the contest and spark jubilant scenes from the Heworth faithful. Sadler's towering touchline conversion put the icing on the cake to complete an excellent afternoon for the Villagers.
Prop Liam Richmond took Heworth's Man of the match award.
Next Saturday another tough contest is expected when in form West Bowling are the visitors to Elmpark Way. (2,30p.m.)
Report - Dave Ward
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