Thatto Heath Crusaders and Waterhead ARLFC fought out an entertaining 24-all draw on Saturday with both sides having periods of dominance and showing plenty of what the NCRL has to offer.
Waterhead bombed an early chance when Scott Parnaby streamed through a hole but his pass drifted in front of support.
Thatto took the lead after fifteen minutes when the halfbacks linked and Ryan Houghton found Sean Kenny, who scythed through an opening. Houghton couldn’t goal. Thatto produced a great chance a couple of minutes later but there was a fumble in the corner and a try was ruled out.
Waterhead replied quickly. Outstanding hooker James Perks who claimed the man-of-the-match award for the visitors, burst thirty metres from dummy half and found Kegan Brennan in support. He converted for 6–4.
Thatto retook the lead after 31 minutes when Kenny dabbed the ball forward and won the race for his second try. Houghton goaled and Thatto finished the half on top with the likes of Max Dudley and particularly Mackenzie Buckley making metres. Heath applied all the pressure, forcing a drop out for which Brennan was penalised for kicking the ball off the mark. Houghton booted the easy penalty for a 12–6 advantage.
Two minutes into the new half Houghton kicked a second penalty after a poor Waterhead start. The visitors were caught cold again on 50 minutes when Jack Roughley came up with a destructive run and Kye Siyani plundered a score on the next play. Houghton’s fourth goal made it 20–6. They had another chance soon after when Adam Carr broke through the middle but he just stumbled.
Waterhead’s comeback started five minutes later when they began to play a more direct game. Middle men hit forward with Perks, Brennan and Gareth Owen liking off the back. The shallowest of kicks from Brennan proved Thatto's undoing. It was taken at pace by Matty Holland and he touched down. Brennan goaled. The scrum half then blazed downfield after 62 minutes, hauled down inches short, and from the next play Parnaby dived in. Brennan’s goal closed it to 20–18.
Waterhead then took the lead after 66 minutes when Ciaran Dean leapt highest to take a cross field kick and Brennan goaled again.
There was late drama. Houghton broke for Thatto and sent Jamie Holroyd over, but his conversion cannoned off the post. At the other end Brennan saw a drop goal attempt disrupted, and a huge drop out ended the game. A draw ultimately felt the fair result.
Full-time: Thatto Heath Crusaders 24 Waterhead ARLFC 24
By Dave Parkinson
Photo Credit: 13 Pro Am Community RL
