YORK RUFC deservedly suffered defeat to a prolific Heath side as the battle for the title heated up between the top two.

On a sunny day, the top two teams in North East 1 faced off with the visiting York eager to avenge their defeat at Shipton Road.

Play in the first quarter of the match was played in Heath’s half with the visitors being awarded two kickable penalties.

York chose to test their line out drive, but Heath’s line out defence was well organised and resisted the catch and drive before clearing their lines, taking play into the York 22m and camping there.

Heath retained possession and eventually worked a blindside attack, moving the ball to the edge for the powerful left wing for Joe Morrison to score in the corner. Chris Johnson narrowly missing the conversion after twelve minutes.

York were now beginning to witness the physicality of their opponents, big tackles, line speed in defence, strong ball carries going forward, forced and unforced errors leading to turnovers.

Yet another visit to the York 22m saw Morrison again brushing off tackles to score in the corner, this time Chris Johnson converting.

Little changes, Heath again had a scrum 5m from the line, as Tom Clough picked up from the base and drove over the line to score under the posts, Chris Johnson converts. Heath's three visits to the York 22m had resulted in three tries.

York were now feeling the pressure of being driven backwards, with being a rare occasion for the York scrum to be under that sort of pressure.

But there was a lifeline for York, as the ball was passed down the back line, Liam Hessay joined the line creating the overlap with Jonty Atkinson on the outside with a clear run in, only for Morrison to deliberately slap the ball down preventing the try.

The referee had no hesitation to award the penalty try and a yellow card.

The second half saw more and more power plays from Heath, midfield mauls winning metres, an increased line speed, dominant tackles forcing York to cough the ball up, being stripped of the ball in the tackle, winning collisions, creating turn overs.

York were unable to take the advantage of the yellow card. A scrum 15m from the York try line, with the scrum being under pressure, as Tom Clough picked up and drove towards the line to be stopped short.

The Heath skipper, Harvey Keighley-Payne, collected the loose ball to score under the posts, the try was converted by Chris Johnson.

The pressure was beginning to present opportunities to the home side, penalties being awarded against the visitors, one such penalty within kicking range for Ezra Hinchcliffe to convert and close the game out.

Now York began to play, hopefully pulling rabbits out of the hat, as Lewis Jackson burst out of defence carrying for over 50 metres, Andre Robson breaking lines, Joe Maud carrying strongly, but alas no support with them.

York now have occupation in Heath’s 22m zone, keeping the ball and moving the ball through the hands, playing with patience and creating an overlap for the skipper, Archie Fothergill, to score in the corner. Were we looking at a comeback?

One final power play from Heath saw a driven line out for Josh Crickmay to score the final try, securing Heath a 34-12 victory over title contenders York.

In the end Heath came out worthy winners, showing huge physicality, determination and desire to win the game.