HEATH gained revenge for an early-season defeat as they beat third-placed Ilkley 27-21 at home in Yorkshire I.
Heath’s Charlie Lomas missed an early penalty but pressure from Ollie Cook, Jeff Jones and Mark Puttick set up centre Dave Montgomery to charge through for an unconverted try in the fifth minute.
Ilkley began to get more into the game and Mike Cachia kicked a penalty midway through the half when Jones was caught offside.
Heath’s pack responded and after pressure from Chris Moore, Cook and Ollie Wilby, Ilkley conceded another penalty and Lomas was on target.
With half time approaching, Ilkley’s Steve Nolson received the ball on halfway and ran through to go over for an unconverted try to level the match.
Mick Gleeson prevented an Ilkley score in the opening minutes of the second half, but after more pressure Ilkley landed another penalty to lead 11-8.
Heath re-grouped and a kick from Giles Hetherington nearly got Gleeson in, but the ball bobbled into touch but, after an inspirational run, Ezra Hinchcliffe then popped the ball to Lomas who went over for a converted try on 52 minutes.
Continued pressure from Heath forced Ilkley into desperate measures and they were shown two yellow cards, reducing them to 13 players with 15 minutes remaining, and Heath were awarded a penalty try, which Lomas converted.
Puttick almost snatched another try for the home side after a good kick from Hetherington, but Heath were not to be denied, and Gleeson glided through to round off a superb game and score the bonus-point try.
Although the kick was missed Heath were 16 points ahead, but Ilkley hit back with Iain MacKenzie scoring a converted try, followed by a penalty from Stuart Vincent.
However, Heath clung on for the win, despite a long spell of injury time, and closed the gap on the teams above them in the table.
