HEATH continued their improvement by beating and leapfrogging Dinnington in Yorkshire I with a 26-18 victory.

With the return of Ian Downsborough, Heath looked a more settled side and got away to the perfect start when Martin Moana and Si Brown combined to send Dave Montgomery over for a try, converted by Lomas, after just two minutes.

Downsborough then set up the next score when he broke from a scrum, released Hetherington, who had a super cross-field run, before passing to Brown who evaded two Dinnington tacklers before going over for an unconverted try.

A West penalty pulled three points back for the visitors, who added a second penalty early in the second half despite Heath having most of the pressure with substitute Danny Ramsden prominent.

Heath responded with a Downsborough try, converted by Lomas for a 19-6 lead.

Having extended their lead, Heath relaxed and Dinnington hit back with a try from centre Stimpson who ran half the length of the field to put the visitors back in the contest.

Coach Kevin Plant brought Luke Clogher onto the wing for Brown and with Montgomery leading by example, a drive and a scrum was followed by a chase by Ramsden who stole the ball and scored the crucial try, converted by Lomas.

Dinnington replied with a late try by Donnelly, but despite two disallowed efforts from Montgomery for alleged forward passes, Heath held on for a victory which puts them above Dinnington in the table.

And they trail Calderdale rivals Old Brodleians by just a point after the Hipperholme outfit were beaten 18-17 at home by York.

Yorkshire III runaway leaders Old Rishworthians were in strong form as they won 55-10 at Old Modernians, while in Yorkshire IV there were wins for Halifax, 32-22 at home to Knaresborough, and Halifax Vandals, 16-7 away at Marist.