Thatto Heath Crusaders 52 York Acorn 16 - Match Report:
Thatto Heath close in on Play-Off picture...
Nine-try Thatto Heath Crusaders are back in with a chance of making the Premier Division Play-Offs after collecting their fifth win of the season in convincing fashion at home to York Acorn.
For much of the first twenty-five minutes it was the visitors that looked more accomplished, but that came after Thatto had opened scoring in the sixth minute through Connor Dwyer.
York Acorn's first try came after 18 minutes when Ant Chilton cleverly his Josh Parker before the centre appeared at the telling moment to chime in and swerve under the posts. Chilton goaled and kicked two 40/20s during an influential spell before Lewis Lord proved too quick around the play-the-ball from close range to make it 4-10.
Substitute Brad Ashurst entered the fray after 25 minutes and made a superb impact, firstly handing on to Jamie Tracey in midfield for the big front rower to gallop clear and go around fullback Joe Budd. Mason Phillips added the first of eight goals and was on target again after Dwyer made the initial break and scrum-half Ryan Houghton supported the remaining 30 metres to go over.
Thatto then scored from a second restart and this one was champagne rugby league as swift passing left saw Dave Pike release Keane Gilford, ran clear, then fired the pass inside to Lewis Foster and just as the defence was catching up with him, Andy Lea was at his shoulder and all of a sudden it was 22-10.
Five minutes later soft hands near the line from Ashurst saw Tracey thunder through a hole without a hand being laid on him and Phillips fourth conversion stretched the lead to 28-10 before Houghton was sinbinned for delaying a restart seconds from half-time.
The new half began promisingly for the hosts and they extended their advantage after just two minutes when Andy Lea spun over for his second try. Excellent approach work brought Adam Saunders a score before the 50-minute mark and just five minutes later Chris Jones went in from close range with Phillips adding all conversions to stretch the advantage to 46-10.
Acorn rallied when they got some field position and Lord showed great feet to beat three defenders for his second score of the game for Chilton to goal, but Thatto Heath, who had succumbed 56-16 at York, finished with a sparkling scrum dash when the ball came left to Gilford who kicked away from one challenge before moving towards and then away from the fullback to score from 65 metres and Phillips completed his goal tally and the 52-16 success.
Thatto are now one of four clubs locked on ten points, just two points behind fifth-placed Wath Brow Hornets and sixth-placed York Acorn.
Thatto Heath: Alex Speakman, Keane Gilford, George Hough, Dave Pike, Mason Phillips; Connor Foster, Ryan Houghton; Lewis Hough, Lewis Foster, Jamie Tracey, Connor Dwyer, Adam Saunders, Andy Lea. Subs: Gabe Parker, Bailey Dean, Chris Jones, Brad Ashurst.
Tries: Dwyer (6), Tracey (27, 36), Houghton (29), Lea (31, 42), Saunders (49), Jones (54), Gilford (74).
Goals: Phillips 8/9.
York Acorn: Joe Budd, Callum McDarby, Jordan Myers, Josh Parker, Josh Prenty; Ant Chilton, Nathan Hammerton; Nathan Welsh, Lewis Lord, Eddie Prescott, George Hunt, Isaac Coleman, Jack Byrnes. Subs: Danny Byworth, Elliot Welburn, Archie Wilcock, James Bromwich.
Tries: Parker (18), Lord (22, 66).
Goals: Chilton 2/3.
By Dave Parkinson
