A LATE penalty goal by loose forward Joe Deighton earned Heworth an 18-18 draw in a gripping encounter with West Hull Lions A in Yorkshire Mens League Division 1

The Villagers trailed 12-10 at the break but should have been leading after a dominant period of possession.

Heworth took a 6-0 lead inside three minutes when player-coach George Elliott jinked his way under the posts for a try which he also converted. West Hull responded five minutes later with a touchdown from winger Luke Foster, converted by Lennox Green.

The hosts went ahead when hooker Dave Hayes put Deighton over for an unconverted score but the Humbersiders regained the lead before the break with a touchdown from second rower Ben Coopland. Green added the extras for a 12-10 half time lead.

The second period turned into a war of attrition with both sides creating chances until the deadlock was finally broken on 55 minutes when West Hull substitute Steven Bass crossed to put them in sight of victory and Green’s third conversion made it 18-10.

The Black and White’s battled back and Elliott broke away on the halfway line and fed supporting prop Mark Hayes who romped over under the sticks for Deighton to goal and reduce the deficit to two points.

In a frantic finale, both teams strived hard for superiority and Heworth were awarded a penalty two minutes from time which Deighton, despite taunts from several opposition players, stepped up and coolly slotted the goal to level the contest.

There was still drama to come, however when the hosts were caught offside after knocking on straight from the re-start but Green’s attempted match winning kick drifted wide of the posts.

Heworth A suffered their first defeat of the season when losing 46-18 at home to Myton Warriors A in the Yorkshire Mens League Entry League.