Heath clinch promotion with last-game success

3:00pm Thursday 15th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Thatto Heath Crusaders 18 Wath Brow Hornets 14 HEATH clinched promotion back to the National Conference League Premier Division with a pulsating win in this last-game decider.

With both sides needing to win to get promoted, everyone expected a great game and they weren't disappointed.

Underdogs Heath started well and were the stronger team for the first half but it was the visitors who opened the scoring after just two minutes with a penalty for stripping the ball.

The home side quickly hit back though with half-back Phil Asson in sparkling form. The lively number seven registered Heath's first points with a try on 12 minutes after good work by winger Scott Clarke, who tagged on the converson to make it 6-2.

And Asson scooted in for his second from a great offload by hooker Kieron Maddocks. Clarke again added the extras to take Health into the break 12-2 to the good.

• Thatto Heath players celebrate promotion

Both sides had openings to increase their tally in the early stages of the second period but a combination of nervous handling errors and some dogged defence saw the chances go begging.

With Brow piling on the pressure Scott Clarke flew out of the line to make a great covering tackle but the Cumbrians made the most of the numbers to find a way through for Gary Elliott to score with Francis King adding the extras.

Heath almost replied when Greg Mannion found space only for the pass to be deemed forward, but Kieron Maddocks restored the 10-point gap when he burst over with Clarke again converting to make it 18-8.

Brow battled back again though and another converted try ensured a tense finale with just four points separating the teams.

But Heath hung on to grind out the win that will see them start next season in their new clubhouse playing top-flight amateur rugby league.

The Hattons Solicitors man of the match for Heath went to Kieron Maddocks.