Heughers 35 – Northern 13

Team: M.TUCKER, O.DAKERS, D.CARROLL, D.BAXTER, D.HOGG, S.RAILTON, S.MCGUIRE, C.TAYLOR, S.BUTTERY, D.FAWCETT, I.GALLAGHER, J.MONTGOMERY, I.MULVILL, A.SMITH, D.THOMAS, L.SAUNDERS, A.HANLEY, M.STEPHENSON.

The game started fairly even but the visitors took an early lead when the Rovers backs strayed offside, 0 – 3, 4 mins. Rovers quickly evened the score 3 minutes later after good work from Muller and Monty gave Daz an opportunity to kick a penalty for not releasing, 3 – 3. This was increased to 6 – 3 after 15 minutes but both teams were having an even amount of ball and were looking equally threatening.

Rover’s forwards started to get the upper hand in the scrums and were also making ground through short drives similar to last week against West.

Tucker made a good break then fed Scotty who chipped into the corner close to the visitor’s line. More pressure forced errors and a penalty was quickly taken for Tucker to cross for a try, Daz missed the conversion, 11 – 3, 20 mins.

Daz slotted another penalty 3 minutes later giving a decent lead of 14 – 3. Northern had to bring off a prop so the game went to uncontested scrums, Randy also had to come off and Anth Hanley came on after a long injury lay off.

Northern fought their way back into the game and got a penalty that was easily kicked, 14 – 6, 31 mins. Rovers hit straight back with good work at the lineout fro Hoggy, driven on by the pack then a great line from muller and a drive by Daz fed Hoggy to dive over, Daz converted to finish the half a well deserved 21 – 6 up.

Rovers started the second half where they had left off, a good chip by Daz put them 5 meters out and although Northern defended well it was just a matter of time before the home pack crossed and it was Carrotts who did after good work by Chris Taylor from a scrum, Daz hit a great touch line conversion, 28 – 6, 45 mins.

For the next 20 minutes or so Rovers went to sleep, happy to defend then hit back every now and again, Hoggy, Chris, Monty and Muller were all working particularly hard. Northern were rewarded for their hard work after 68 minutes when the full back chipped over for a converted try in the corner, 28 – 13.

Rovers still seemed happy they had a commanding lead but increased the pace to go for the bonus try. After more hard work from the now sober Tucker, Daz fed Monty to barge his way over, Daz then kicked the conversion to take the final score to 35 – 13.

Well done to all the lads, good to be playing well and winning again.