Thatto Heath Crusaders 16w

Orrell St James 7 THATTO Heath Crusaders had to work hard to win this game to take them into the final of the North West Counties Premier cup and to acquire two valuable league points in this 'double header'.

A strong, physical Orrell side knocked them out of their usual style of flowing rugby but the Crusaders dug deep and in the end ran out worthy winners.

The first 15 minutes was all Orrell but a strong Heath defence, with hooker Nigel Morris leading the way, kept them from crossing the line. But, Orrell were on the score sheet on 10 minutes following a close range penalty by scrum-half Sean McHugh, who added a drop goal minutes later.

Heath began to get into the game but a lack of concentration let Orrell off the hook.

Heath lost captain, Martin Horton, through injury on 20 minutes into the game but young John Morgan stepped in and acquitted himself well on his first first team appearance.

On 23 minutes, Heath registered their first points with a 39-yard Wayne Jackman penalty.

Bang on half-time Heath took the lead after a high tackle by Orrell gave Jackman an easy kick in front of goal to make the score 4-3.

Some serious words from coach Gary Forber in the half time break along with the introduction of half-back Martin Harvey turned the game around the Heath scored almost from the kick off. Darren Mitchell, now playing at stand-off, received the ball centre-field, dummied and then scooted 25 yards to score just right of the posts. Jackman converted.

Orrell hit back but some fine clean-up play by Jackman saw the full back taking the ball on his own line under pressure and running out to the 25. Sturdy work from Heath's pack and a deep kick by Harvey put Heath back on the attack but it wasn't until half way through the second half before there was any further score. Loose-forward Darren Harris received the ball 30 yards out from a fine passing movement from left to right, dummied to break the Orrell first line of defence then pushed off the covering defence leaving a path for him to dive over in the right hand corner.

Five minutes later, silly penalties from Heath took Orrell deep into the homester's half and following sustained pressure, a high crossfield kicks saw centre Dave Atkinson outjump Heath's defenders to score out right. Minutes later, Orrell full back Ste Morsley was sin-binned for holding down and Jackman again stepped up to register the last two points of the game. Heath's prop Jimmy Waterworth also ended up in the bin four minutes from time, again for interference at the play the ball.

The Canter, Levin and Berg man of the match award went to Morris who worked tirelessly throughout followed closely by Harris and Waterworth.

Crusaders under 10s 22

West Bank 12

In a fine Crusaders team effort, tries came from Antony Harden, Sean Forber (2), who shared the man-of-the-match award, and Dave Brownbill. Goals were added by Andrew Yates, Antony Harden and Andrew Morris. Top tacklers were Antony Harden and Chima Maxwell, while the coaches award went to Ste Barton and Tom Crouch.