Heughers 30 Corbridge 0

The visitors won the toss and decided to go against the strong wind in the first half. The Rovers game plan was to run the heavy Tynedale pack about in the first half hoping to get points on the board, then dig in when against the wind. A strategy that they worked to perfection.

It didn’t take long for Rovers to get points on the board with a solid kick from Daz Fawcett after both sided had been awarded penalties for infringements at the breakdown, 3 – 0.
The home side held out well in the scrums and the visitors had to rethink about no8 pick-ups after getting constantly knocked back by strong tackles from Liam Armstrong and Craig Bullock.

Fawcett was just short with a second penalty from half way and the Heughers were starting to gain control putting some good handling together in difficult conditions. A 22m drop out was driven back in by Glen Wise then a great surge by Armstrong to set up quick ball for the home backs with Dave Gregory popping up at outside centre to score an unconverted try, 8 – 0.

A good take from the restart and a long kick into the Corbridge 22 put the pressure back on. The visitors clawed their way back out of danger but a missed pass saw Steve Railton kick and chase to score with Fawcett unluckily hitting the post, 13 – 0.

The visitors were shell-shocked and Rovers continued to control the game piling on the pressure. Arnell forced a spill at the scrum and showed skill and composure to pick up and drive over. Daz kicked the difficult conversion to make it 20 – 0. Shortly after another slick effort from the home backs should have given another score but full back Thompson, who had worked well with Railton and Liam Austwick throughout the game was brought back for a forward pass.

The first half ended with good pressure on the Corbridge lineout forcing a turnover then a feed to Armstrong who showed great power to barge his way over for his first senior try, 25 – 0.

Bullock retired at half time with a broken finger, replaced by Fleet. McGuire also came off to give Olwenny a run on the wing. The game went as predicted with Corbridge gradually getting back into the game through forward drives then using the strong wind to their advantage. Rovers kept their cool punching short in attack and keeping a solid defensive line.

McGuire returned to the action on the flank this time with the pack shuffling to replace Steve Metcalf who retired with a calf injury. Ben Little moved to prop after a great display at second row and Liam Armstrong moved to second row. Gregory continued to show his hooking skills taking 5 against the head for the afternoon, valuable ball that allowed Durrans the chance to gain ground from centre. More good defensive hits from Armstrong and Fleet were followed by good rucking from Little and Olwenny then a break by Baxter set them up in the Corbridge 22. A number of drives followed with Little held up on the line then the game finished with Liam Austwick completing a solid display nipping over to score, 30 – 0.

A great all round performance from a team growing in confidence, possibly the best display of the season yet. They controlled every area of the game against a team that had come to the Friarige with the intention of taking full points but left without crossing our line. Well done to everyone, especially man of the match young Liam Armstrong, another back row with a great future.