Heaton praised in defeat as Moor power to final

Hanging Heaton 2

DEWSBURY Moor secured their place in the Heavy Woollen John Kane final with a convincing victory over Hanging Heaton who are unbeaten in Pennine League Division Six.

In the first five minutes Hanging Heaton tested Moor on their own line which led to a mix up and Heaton slotted over a goal.

Moor settled down as Rob Senior sent centre Andrew Robinson over for the first try. It was quickly followed by Andy Burland breaking supported by James Delaney who sent prop Shane Davies over. James Eatherley kicked the conversion to give Moor a 10-2 lead.

Heaton ventured into Moor territory and another kick tested the defence.

Moor winger Warren Hardcastle had an effort disallowed before Phil Simpson, Peter Robinson, Rob Senior and Andy Robinson combined to send Steve McNamara over for a well-worked try. Eatherley added the extras.

Burland showed good skills to put debutant Ryan Hardcastle on a 30 metre break but Heaton’s Ash Holderness made a good cover tackle. Heaton’s defence was stretched by Phil Simpson’s break and he found Phil Shotton who put Warren Hardcastle in for a try. Eatherley landed a touchline conversion.

Heaton’s William Brook went close on Moor’s right but a clearing run turned defence into attack and James Delaney went over, Eatherley’s conversion gave Moor a 28-2 lead at half-time.

The second half saw Heaton kick long again but Eatherley held firm under pressure and made a swerving run.

Heaton forwards Brian Sheard, Josh Taylor and Kevin Brown, tested the Moor but their efforts were quashed by Wayne Wilson, Dominic Scanlon, Matt Shaw and Danny Wardman.

Brook cleared a dangerous kick for Heaton but when they lost the ball Davies swatted several tacklers away as he scored his second try of the game. Eatherley converted to make it 34-2.

Danny Wardman then sent McNamara sprinting for the line. Hanging Heaton repelled the attack with a good tackle by Chris Aked. Minutes later McNamara sent Simpson over to score near the posts and the two points took Moor to 40-2.

A player from each side was yellow carded after a fracas.

Moor continued to play open rugby with Dean Arundel, Peter Robinson and Matt Shaw sending Warren Hardcastle in on the left. Eatherley scored another touchline goal.

Former Moor man Terry Maun tried to get Heaton going along with Chris Aked but Moor turned defence into attack when the lively Peter Robinson sent Davies over for his hat-trick try, the conversion made it 52-2.

In the final moments of the game Scanlon passed out of a tackle to the supporting Andy and Peter Robinson who found winger McNamara to score. Eatherley landed his ninth conversion of the game and his 51st of the season.

The Moor supporters were generous to Hanging Heaton recognising a good effort by forwards Windle, Holderness and Sheard, while Aked and Maun put in good efforts.

Moor entertain Emley Moor on Saturday in a league match, 2pm.