Heughers 18 - Mowden Park 17

The game started at a quick pace then a number of srums followed with Rovers competing well against the larger Mowden pack. A number of penalties followed and the vsitors forced their way over for a converted try after a number of close charges, 0 – 7.

The home team hit back straight away with slick passing along the backs resulting in a penalty that was well kicked by Daz Fawcett, 3 – 7.

Good work by the returning Mick Railton and Danny Baxter was lost after a hesitated pass was intercepted and a try was only avoided thanks to a slight obstruction that was luckily not seen by the referee. Mcguire left the field after a big hit for Thompson to return for only his second game after injury.

Andrew Arnell was again at his sharpest and he used the blind side of the scrum well after a win against the head by Gregory at the scrum. This was followed with strong running by Steve Railton and the impressive Ben Durrans, capped off with good passing along the line with Baxter timing his lob pass to perfection to put Mick Railton in the corner for an unconverted try, 8 – 7.

Arnell used the blind again from the restart feeding Mick Railton and forcing the visitors back to their own 22m but they cleared well then after an off-side added another 3 points from a penalty, 8 – 10.

The second half started with Rovers defending for a sustained period and failing to find touch with clearance kicks was getting them into bother with the dangerously quick Mowden backs. They capitalised on this with a neat chip for a possibly off-side winger to run another try in that was converted, 8 – 17.

New signing Steve Metcalfe replaced the hard working Ben Little at prop and showed he hasn’t lost any strength in his time away from Rovers, helping the Rovers scrum continue to impress. Another good run by Durrans after a stolen line from Baxter resulted in Daz kicking a second penalty, 11 – 17.Durrans was then yellow carded for using a forearm.

Liam Armstrong replaced hard working Craig Bullock for his senior debut and he fitted into the home pack very well putting in some good hits. Squid returned to the field along with another of the promising youths, Hopkinson to replace both Railtons.

More hard work followed working the Mowden line well with penalties and strong scrimmaging, Gregory was held up, Wise went short and after a blatant off-side Arnell nipped over from close range with Daz hitting a vital conversion to take the lead, 18 – 17.

More pressure came from Mowden and good tackles from Ben Cushlow and Metcalfe then another against the head by Gregory to be cleared by Daz. A penalty kick went wide by Mowden who were trying to steal the game but more good tackles by Hopkinson and the tireless Arnell got them clear.

An exchange of punches saw Ben Atter and the Mowden winger leave the field and the game finished with Rovers driving towards the Mowden line.

A very good performance in preparation for a return to the Candy league game at Blaydon next week. It is finally nice to have a number of players, especially backs to select from and the competition for places is bringing the best out of everyone.