Heworth extended their unbeaten League record to eight games with a 34-24 win over basement side Saddleworth.

The Oldham side belied their league position with a spirited performance but Heworth always looked the stronger side with Jason Gatus and Craig Forsyth winning the battle up front and scrum half Chris Hammerton bossing the game in the loose.

Heworth took the lead after five minutes when centre Wayne Foster - playing his first game after a long injury lay off - followed a good break by loose forward Steve Barnard to score an excellent try after a 30 metre sprint to the line. James Allitt missed with the conversion attempt.

But Saddleworth came back strongly and Heworth were indebted to a fine tackle by Mark Green on Saddleworth centre Chris Eaves, quickly followed by a similar effort by full back Richard Darling on his opposing number Kevin Fitzpatrick, both of which denied tries.

But Saddleworth did get back into the game on 27 minutes when Bernard went for an interception and Emmerson Jackson was left with enough space to put centre Mick Billington in for a try, which Fitzpatrick converted.

Heworth responded in positive fashion, however. After good ground was made by young prop Dan Briggs and stand-off Green, Foster threw out an excellent pass to put winger Gavin Grant in at the corner.

Allitt's touchline kick hit the upright and bounced out but then came the try of the match.

Hammerton made an excellent break, the ball was farmed out to fast supporting Allitt who ran to the posts and put Darling over right on the half-time whistle. Allitt converted to give Heworth a 16-6 interval lead.

Saddleworth drew first blood in the first minute of the second half, winger Paul Jackson taking advantage of some sloppy Heworth tackling to sneak in at the corner for an unconverted try.

Heworth should have taken the lead on 45 minutes but Forsyth was held just short of the line and his pass to Green was put down.

But Forsyth was too strong for the Saddleworth defence when he powered over under the posts for a try, converted by Allitt, to give the Black and Whites a 22-10 lead.

But Saddleworth showed spirit when their man-of-the-match, loose forward Shane Heywood, side-stepped in for a fine individual try. And with Fitzpatrick converting, the visitors had again reduced the arrears to six points.

But Heworth came back with Foster the provider. The centre took a sharp pass from Hammerton to put Grant through and the wingman used his pace, and a delightful sidestep, to go over for a second try. And Forsyth scored his second when using his strength to go over.

Andy Gabel then crossed the line for another try on 69 minutes and at 34-16 it seemed that Heworth would go on to an even bigger victory.

However, Saddleworth came back again to score two more unconverted tries by substitute Danny Tyrell and centre Billington, his second of the game.

Although not a vintage Heworth display, this was another crucial victory as the Villagers seek to secure National Conference League premier division safety.

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