Heughers 36 - 5 Billingham

With a sizeable contingent away making new friends with the ladyboys in Thailand or moaning about the price of a pint in Twickenham we were grateful to Billingham for coming through and giving a game to those who were left at home. The KO was at 1pm to allow us to watch the International afterwards but this confused Joe Little who thought he had to turn up at 1pm. We did however have Ste Groom and Tony Ross turn up early. Tony had said he had 'retired'. Which means he has lost all his kit. Again.

After the remembrance wreath was movingly laid by captain Sainty and a respectful silence observed by both teams and spectators we kicked off with the advantage of the wind going towards the Steetley end. Ste Railton was getting a lot of ball and ran in a first half hat trick. Two of these showed a preference for running over people rather than passing but one try was beautifully made by Stuart Hann who caught and passed the ball in one movement to put Randy over in the smallest of gaps. Then fellow centre Nathan Olley got in on the act with a bullocking run to the line. Dazz added the extras to put us 22-0 up. Billingham were competing well and got their reward with a deserved try out wide.

HT - Heughers 22 - 5 Billingham

Lots of changes were made at half time and this, together with playing into the wind, meant the game was more of an even contest. We did see one splendid break from Josh Healey though where he was too fast for any supporting players. Remarkable. We kept the scoreboard ticking over when after a passage of keep ball had sucked in a number of defenders Dazz put a pin point chip in for captain Sainty to go over out wide. Dazz nailing the touch line conversion to put us 29-5 ahead. We could have added to the scoreline had we passed the ball out when we had numbers rather than trucking it up the middle into tacklers. Monty made this point several times but ignored his own advice when he got the ball by cutting a line towards the posts and smashing into a Billingham defender with enough kinetic force to send him backwards at a rate of knots. Alex added the extras and that was the end of the scoring.

Heughers 36 - 5 Billingham

This was a good run out for both teams with Billingham belying that their squad was predominantly their third XV. It was well refereed by Andy Purves and played generally in a good spirit - though Milky showed he is not quite ready to take up a career in the Diplomatic Service. It also got the club full for the international.

Some good performances with Alex Rochester being very dangerous with ball in hand and captain Sainty leading from the front. Two lads who haven't had much time in the game showed up well on the wings. Stuart Hann had his best, and busiest, game in a Rovers' shirt and new lad Calube McKie did well. While he needs more experience and training Calube ran, tackled and passed very competently. Well done Calube! On his comeback after injury Dazz showed he has lost none of his skill - or pace :-) But it was another returnee Nathan Rayner who stood out, winning ball in the loose and lineout and doing well going forward. After about a year out with injury (Nathan has spent more time with physio Buster than with his wife) it was good to see him back on the pitch. Even if he was blowing by the end! Nathan does win the Vue Cinema man of the match. Congratulations!

Team

Rochester, Hewitt, S Railton, Olley, Hann, Dazz, Matty Stevo, Ross, M Saunders, Healey, Rayner, Groom, Buttery, Sainty (c), Armstrong

Interchanges

Mckie, Milky, Monaghan, Robinson, Little

Next week we resume Candy League duties with a derby home game against Old Boys. The first XV are also at home to Gateshead and there is a reunion on so please rearrange shifts, shopping or whatever to be available. Pretty please.