Northern 12 – Heughers 12

Team: S.MCGUIRE, D.GREGORY, S.BUTTERY, D.BAXTER, A.HANLEY, M.WILSON, C.DOWDLE, A.DRING, M.STEPHENSON, D.FAWCETT, I.GALLAGHER, J.MONTGOMERY, S.RAILTON, A.SMITH, B.CUSHLOW, S.HENDERSON.

So as usual the 20+ on Thursday dwindled away to 16 including new boy Scott Henderson, under 17 Connor Dowdle and Scotty, Greggs and Squid showing how much they want to play, volunteering to go in the front row fully contested rather than uncontested and lose points. All 3 had great games and never gave in.

Northern wasted no time putting Rovers under pressure and the experienced front row quickly identified they were against fresh meat getting on top at a number of 5 meter scrums. The experience of Dringy returning from injury saved many a turnover with him picking at the base and making ground despite going backwards.

The first 10 minutes saw some great defence camped on their own line with the pressure being relieved now and again with good touch kicks from Daz and a decent lineout gave us a bit of ball to play with.

Silly penalties at the breakdown gave away much needed ball and although the Northern pack was more powerful, the visitors mobility due to having no established fat boys gave them an attacking edge when the game was allowed to open up a bit.

Daz missed a penalty on 30 mins and Northern went wide with one a couple of minutes later but the teams were fairly even until Squid was binned for throwing body punches? Unusual for a rugby player to go for a points win rather than a knockout!

While he was on the naughty step Northern kicked to the corner and drove over from the following lineout for an unconverted try, 5 – 0, 38 mins.

Rovers finished the half giving away more penalties for coming in at the side.

The second half started a bit brighter with good pressure kicks to the corner. Dingy was dominating an Bax and Matty were both unlucky to be held up over the line but the ball was being taken back into the forwards from the midfield rather tham using the width of the pitch.

A simple 5 on 2 was bolloxed up and the home winger ran 80m for a certain try until new boy Henderson made a fantastic cover tackle from the opposite wing.
Northern lost a player to the bin and Rovers started to play a catch and drive game after realising they were only putting 3 or 4 into the mauls. One such maul ended in Scotty crossing for a try, converted by Daz, 5 – 7, 75 mins.

Rovers were passing much better and a break by Dring then a great bit of skill from Monty sent Greggs over for an unconverted try, 5 – 12, 78 mins.

More good attacking play followed rather than sitting on the lead for the last few minutes. Unfortunately this was to be their downfall. A quick tap penalty was moved along the Northern line for the winger to score. Frustrating for everyone, especially Barmy who had been screaming for them to cover but all he got was goldfish looks. Final score 12 – 12.

A fair result played in good spirit and very well refereed, second time we have had this guy, can’t remember his name but he plays it simple letting the game flow, much more enjoyable for all.