Thatto Heath 62 Featherstone Lions 7: HEATH were in unstoppable form as they ran in 11 tries against the team they beat in last year's BARLA National Cup final.

The game itself was dedicated to raising money for the fund set up to assist former Featherstone player coach Simon Tuffs, who was tragically injured in a swimming pool accident whilst on holiday over the summer. Around £400 was donated to the fund.

After going behind to a fifth minute Chris Morgan drop goal it became one-way traffic. Hooker Darren Mitchell opened up the scoring for Heath with a try from a superb scampering run from the half way line. Mike Woods converted.

Five minutes later and Mitchell burrowed his way over the line from close range. Impressive running by the Heath forwards, particularly Darren Blanchfield and Geoff Williams, started to cut open the Yorkshire team's defence. From this platform came tries from Phil Glover, Chris Honey and Mike Woods before the half time break. Glover and Woods had too much pace for their opposite numbers out wide and Honey foxed the opposition defence as he went on a splendid run to find a gap.

With Woods adding a further three conversions Heath went into the break leading 28-1. Heath came out for the second half in determined mood, having learned that teams in this division do not give up easily, and did not give the visitors an opportunity to recover.

In the first minute full back Jamie Hill scored the first of his two tries when he side-stepped his way through the Featherstone defence.

The visitors crossed for a consolation try through scrum half Chris Morgan, converted by Jon Agar, but not before Heath's scrum half Barry Ashall had crossed for a well worked try.

Injuries to both of Heath's half backs, Ashall and Darren Harris forced the home side to play out the last 20 minutes with only 12 men.

Despite this numerical handicap, they never took their foot off the pedal and Darren Mitchell crossed for his hat-trick before Woods intercepted on the half way line and raced un-opposed to score under the sticks, giving himself an easy conversion.

Woods picked a personal tally of 26 points to grab the man of the match award, but the final score of the day went to 18-year-old debutante Jon Hughes who capped a fine performance with a well deserved try showing great strength to cross out wide.

This fourth successive win since being promoted to the First Division sees Heath sharing top spot with East Leeds. Heath travel to Eccles on Saturday.

The Platt Site Services men of the match were forwards Darren Mitchell and backs Mike Woods.