Managed to stop off on my way back from Manchester to the much more subdued East Riding of Yorkshire to watch this battle.
Looking at the two teams (of which I have seen neither this year) Heath were massive and their physicality seemed to be undone by weak mentality against a more spirited and plucky Sandal outfit.
A result which could have gone either way probably fell to eventual deserved winners Sandal, although I can imagine the Heath kicker will be kicking himself after missing a relatively central kick to win the game late on. The people around me did mention this was quite uncharacteristic of him but there were a few quips about Heath struggling in finals so maybe the added pressure was in his head.
A good advert for rugby, I could see why some of the teams in NE2 league may struggle with that physicality every week.
I too called in to watch the game. Heath, unsurprisingly, on and off the pitch, turned up with the cocksure attitude of a team who has gone unbeaten all year. Sandals defence was magnificent (as was Heaths), made easier by Heath not really playing on the gain line and been very predictable in attack. As the game went on the Heath big lads seem to tire, errors crept in and Sandal's superb spirit and togetherness somehow won the day. Well done to the strong performance of the officials who refused to be refereed by the Heath ten. Most of all well done to both teams for putting on a game showing that despite the modern day ambiguity to the competition, it still matters to those who play.
Glad it was a meaningful match....
Blood and thunder, great stuff.
From what I saw at Heath at the weekend, they were probably still battered and bruised from the York game. The physicality on display was quite something.
Congratulations to Sandal for the win. Enjoy your moment, they don't come round often.
It's also a great advert for R1NE. The Yorkshire cup title has been kept by a team in this league for the past 3 years.
Sandal were battered at Harrogate I believe, but if that's the excuse that's what it is.
Great advert for rugby, a great evening and a huge following... what more could local rugby want.
Surprising the game was played on a Wednesday evening when there's a free weekend today which would allow for 'battered and bruised' bodies to heal. Looking at the Alnwick vs Northern tie being played today in their county cup, this could have been a better option. However, more viewing and no other competing games- surely a financial decision...?
Sandal dogged it out and the underdog mentality ultimately won them the day. It was a close game where a missed penalty and a drop of a ball was all it took for either team to come away with the trophy and that happened to be sandal.
I think any opinion of Heath looking tired, arrogant or otherwise is just a childish point scoring outlook from scrappy do- clear compensating for his lack of rugby knowledge or better yet, a tiny manhood - whichever shoe fits I'm sure will be worthy.
It poses some interesting questions about sandals ability to push on for the next league season ahead which, without Heath... could sandal be in the running? Or will Harrogate, ilkley and others in the top 4 look to push on?
Alternatively, Heath moving up a league and facing battle after battle every week... any team that goes up, has it tough and as Harrogate and Scunthorpe have proven, it's a different kettle of fish altogether.
Good luck to both teams and here's to hoping scrappy doo might learn a thing or two before September comes around. A fool that rugby is better of without.
Ha, nice one two bob, uncannily accurate on the manhood, as for rugby knowledge you are welcome to your opinion and should open your mind to that of others without introducing personal insults, you muppet. Just to clarify, there was a confidence which bordered on arrogance, nothing wrong with that. Refusing to kick penalties early on was imo an example of that. I only commented that the big lads seemed to tire after throwing the kitchen sink at Sandal in the first half. This seemed to lead to costly errors. No point scoring there just honest opinion.
I can't argue with anything scooby has said,a very accurate picture of how Heath played out the game!