Gosforth 17 – Heughers 46

L.SAUNDERS, DAKERS, LAWSON, HOGG, BAXTER, BULLOCK, ARMSTRONG, TAYLOR, STEPHENSON, FAWCETT, HUNTER, GREGORY, S.RAILTON, MCGUIRE, QUINN.

It was good to get back to playing rugby and the artificial pitch was a good opportunity to get away from the mud and play fast open rugby. Rovers travelled with the bare 15 having lost Bubbles, Scotty, Adam and Chrissy Hopkinson to the first team but welcomed back Craig Bullock after long term injury, Sam Hunter from the under 17’s, Olly Dakers from the 3rds and Danny Quinn, returning from West.

The Heughers wasted no time in moving the ball and after 2 minutes of probing the Gosforth defence, quick hands out gave Steve Railton a score in the corner, Daz went wide with the kick, 0 – 5.

The scrums were solid giving Olly Dakers a chance to pinch against the head and he did so for the first two scrums, the second was sent out to Gregory who jinked his way to the line taking the score to 0 – 10 after 12 minutes.

Daz was controlling territory with accurate kicking and with Hoggy on top form in the line the home side were struggling to win ball.

A lineout 5m out was misread by Gosforth and Liam Armstrong strolled over, Daz converted, 0 – 17, 19 minutes. Liam stormed through the defence for his second 3 minutes later after one of many slick runs by Gregory, 0 – 24, 22 minutes.

A bit of a lull followed and Gosforth took the opportunity to work their way up to the Rovers line and after a few forward barges they passed out for an unconverted try in the corner, 5 – 24, 30 minutes.

Apart from a penalty from Daz on 32 minutes, 5 – 27, the home side dominated the rest of the half, with the pack forcing their way to the line allowing the scrum half to dart over for a try, 10 – 27, half time.

The second half started with Gosforth on the attack but Rovers broke free with Chris Taylor running 70m after picking up at 8 from a 5m scrum. Craig Bullock, fearless and hard working as ever made a great effort to back Taylor up carrying the move on well into Gosforth territory.

Armstrong was proving to be too powerful to bring down and another storming run brought his third try, Daz converting, 10 – 34, 50 minutes. Unfortunately he sustained a dead leg and had to come off a while later.

After a brief toilet interlude at the request of Danny Baxter, Daz fed a good inside ball to Randy who ran a great line to score his second try, Daz converted taking the score to 10 – 41, 55 minutes.

Rovers had a firm grip on the game and further good runs from Greggs and Taylor took them up to the Gosforth line. A strong push by the pack won a Gosforth feed and after a couple of short drives Kev Lawson crossed for an unconverted try, 10 – 46, 68 minutes.

The last 10 minutes were scrappy but Gosforth scored a consolation try after a kick up field and a lucky bounce, 17 – 46 full time.

A great display with the youthful side showing very good decision-making, handling skills and teamwork. Well done to all especially Sam, Olly, Buller and Quinny.