Heughers 27 – Gosforth 11

Due to players moving up to the 1st team, injury and unavailability, the side was very different to the one that convincingly beat Corbridge last week. In particular having a totally different front five with inside centre Ben Durrans moving to prop to assist Olly Dakers and Carrots in the front row. Behind them were Liam Armstrong and Fleety in the second row, then Callum, Tyrone and Sqiud in the backrow.

With a decent back line out the plan of action was to use the young mobile pack (excluding Carrots), to keep the ball in open play and keep the pace of the game high.

Rovers struggled to get into the game for the first quarter, in particular the first 10 minutes with a barrage of penalties against them, mainly at the breakdown resulting in 2 kicked goals and Callum Whitehead in the bin for a comedy stamp, 0 – 6.

They gradually started stringing a few runs together with Barnfield being held just short of the line then from the 22m-drop out, Carroll and Durrans were stopped short. Liam Austwick, Barny and full back Thompson were getting into the game and Callum returned he stormed 30 meters to score with Daz converting to take the lead 7 – 6.

Gosforth came back but good tackling then chasing by Fleet and Olwenny who may have scored but pulled his hamstring and had to slow. Daz kicked a penalty to finish the half 10 – 6.

The second half saw a shuffle of players with Fleet retiring after a blow to the head, Daz moving from stand off to second row. Mick Railton came onto the wing, Matty Stephenson came on for Nelly to partner Austwick at half back.

A lapse of concentration saw the visiting no7 run through very little defence to score a soft try but the fairly simple kick went wide, 10 – 11. Rovers finally started to click and quick ball followed by simple passing along the backs gave Barnfield an unconverted try, 15 – 11. this was quickly followed by similar good passing for Steve Railton to cross making it 20 – 11.

As usual his brother was not to be outdone and Mick Railton finished of another passing move with Daz kicking to give 27 – 11. The next 15 minutes saw Gosforth fight back but a solid display of defence saw the home side push out from their own line to the 10 meter line by constantly battering the Gosforth attacks, great tackling in particular by squid.

Another great team display but too many silly knock-ons, forward passes and trying to force plays. Simple quick rugby is what they do well and if they can continue to do that they should achieve another high position in the league at the end of the season.