Sat 7 Mar 2020, 15:00
Roundhegians 44- Old Grovians 7
Hegians were looking for an improved performance after their heavy defeat at Wath the week before. They had to make a few changes with Dave Wilson, Alex Miyambo and Ewan Cameron unavailable but this gave the chance for Joe Basquill to make his 1st team debut for the club at centre.
With Grovians missing a number of players, Hegians were quickly on the attack and despite some solid defence from the Grovians midfield it was not long before Hegians forced a kickable penalty, which Alex Jones slotted over on 6 minutes to take a 3-0 lead. Hegians were always looking to use their backs and with the wind behind them were able to camp in the Grovians half. Alex Jones soon had the chance to kick another penalty on 15 minutes to take the lead to 6-0.
On 25 minutes, the pressure from Hegians finally resulted in a try as they made good progress down the right wing before quickly recycling the ball to move it left to centre Elliot Jackson who made ground before passing to Ali Coe who forced his way over from 35 metres out with a strong run to score close to the posts. Alex Jones added the additional 2 points to take Hegians into a 13-0 lead.
Hegians were soon back on the attack and it took some committed defending from Grovians to prevent another score. Hegians were winning quick ball now and eventually they were able to move the ball into space on the left wing, which allowed Tom Bennett to race in for a try in the corner. In the last few minutes of the half Grovians exerted some pressure as a penalty allowed them to try and force their way over the line. Hegians tried hard to keep the Grovians forwards out but eventually the weight of numbers meant that Grovians forced their way over for a converted try.
Half Time – Roundhegians 18 – Old Grovians 7
From the start of the second half Hegians forced the pace and pinned Grovians in their own 22 and when a loose kick came to full back Alex Jones he moved it wide to winger Tom Bennett who outpaced the prop forward opposite him and scored in the corner to take the lead to 23-7. Hegians continued to push forward and looked dangerous whenever they went wide. Eventually they created an overlap out wide on the right wing due to good distribution from James Dobson and this allowed full back Alex Jones to score in the corner to claim the bonus point and with a good kick from out wide took Hegians into a 30-7 lead.
With 20 minutes to go the game slowly petered out as Grovians tried to attack but having lost a prop they had to go to uncontested scrums. Hegians were able to defend relatively comfortably and always looked dangerous with ball in hand. An intelligent cross field kick allowed Greg Robinson to casually pick up the ball and score. The conversion by Alex Jones took the lead to 37-7 and there was still time for Hegians to score a 6th try when Elliot Jackson cut through in midfield to touch down close to the posts so that the conversion was straight forward.
Full Time Roundhegians 44 – Old Grovians 7
A comfortable win for Hegians against a Grovians team that was missing a few players but it did give the chance for Hegians to play some good running rugby in conditions that were better for running rugby than it has been for a while. A good debut for centre Joe Basquill who looked comfortable playing in the centre at this level.
Next week Hegians are at home again against North Ribblesdale and a win would see them promoted to Yorkshire 1. Kick off is 3.00pm 
