Haydock 13 Thatto Heath 6 HAYDOCK marched closer to the Hays Chemical Trophy, with a well deserved victory over NWC Premier Division leaders Thatto Heath.

Throughout the opening 40 minutes Heath gave as good as they got in most departments. But a superb try by Stuart Kay, in addition to an earlier penalty goal by Paul Ireland, gave Haydock a crucial advantage and created a platform from which they eventually won the game.

But with skipper Martin Horton, Paul Littler, Jimmy Waterworth pushing forward after the break, Heath stepped up a gear.

However, such was the standard and intensity of the Haydock defence with Gary Lowe - until injury forced him to retire just before the break - Mark Abbott, Sean Dolan, Neil Wade and Paul Ireland particularly impressive, it was 67 minutes before Heath eventually found a way through.

Haydock clung on for dear life in the closing stages, and with tries at a premium, they had the golden boot of Paul Ireland to thank for victory.

There was little to choose between the teams during the opening 15 minutes, but Ireland broke the deadlock with a fine 45-metre angled penalty goal for Haydock three minutes later.

Haydock extended their lead to six-points on 28 minutes when Stuart Kay rounded off a superb bout of inter-passing out wide on the left with an unconverted try.

Thatto Heath had two opportunities to open their account before Wayne Jackman eventually hit the target with his third penalty goal attempt, on 32 minutes, to reduce Haydock's lead to 6-2 at the interval. Thatto pressed forward strongly from the restart in search of an early score. But a timely interception and a 50-metre break from defence by Steve Kelsey, quickly diffused the situation for Haydock.

A Paul Ireland penalty goal and a Wayne Bloor field goal gave Haydock valuable breathing space at 9-2 midway through the second period. But Heath responded well and imposed some concentrated pressure on the Haydock line before Anthony Marsh grabbed an unconverted try on 67 minutes.

However, occasional indiscipline in the tackle particularly inside their own territory, began to prove Heaths downfall in the closing stages and Paul Ireland punished two such demeanours with crucial penalty goals in the last six minutes to put the game safely out of Thatto Heath's reach.

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