Rovers Heughers travelled away to Durham City with a much rearranged team due to no shows and being raped and pillaged by the 1st XV - which is always an emotional experience. On arrival at Hollow Drift we were allowed to look at, but not play on, the University owned 1st XV pitch and ended up on the second pitch which is smaller and thus gave our kickers a passable chance of making touch. And this they did with Paul Arnell in particular using the diagonal breeze to pin City back with some sensible kicking. We nearly scored when James Coxon had the ball knocked out of his hands when over the line but curiously were awarded the feed at the scrum. City disrupted our ball but we recovered and drove for the line where the ball went loose. Scott Buttery was the first to react and fell on the ball for a try he converted himself to put us 0-7 up. Another try followed fairly quickly when after good forward play the ball was released along the backs for Ste Railton to outpace the defence. Scott again converted to increase our lead to 0-14. We really should have got more points on the board when we had a driving maul go fully 20 metres up almost the City try line but rather than just continue the momentum we broke away, were tackled and the chance had gone.

HT Durham City Saracens 0 - 14 Rovers Heughers

Paul Arnell's hamstring (and body) had tightened up just before half time and he was replaced by debutant Tom Doneghan whose last match was for Saracens of all teams. This was a while ago mind but we were keen to see what Tom could offer. The evergreen Ian Wallace also took to the field and Ryan Harrison moved forward to stand off where he could demonstrate the kind of aggression he would show later that night at the soiree. Both sides' defence was cancelling each out but we did go further in the lead when we moved the ball out wide and Kieran Wright showed a lovely piece of skill to pick the ball off his toes and make ground down the wing. When Kieran was tackled the forwards secured the ball and Mick Ryan broke clear to go over the try line and attempt to run round behind the posts. Unfortunately Mick then got a speed wobble on and did a passable impersonation of Bambi on Ice with his legs going in several unusual direction before finally collapsing and, thankfully, grounding the ball. Too much Xmas pud Mick? Scott's conversion extended our lead to 0-21. We looked to have scored another try when Billy Lloyd broke from the 22 with a powerful run but were pulled back for a knock on and the game ended with no further score

FT Durham City Saracens 0 - 21 Rovers Heughers

This was the first league game that we had failed to secure maximum points and looking at the other results I suspect we will stay in 2nd place, albeit with a game in hand on Acklam. However it was a decent win over a battling City side whose performance belied their own league position. Well done to our venerable trio of Paul Arnell, Wally and Finbar and their combined age of about 144. Finbar is the oldest registered Rovers player and thus still able to play for the 1st XV. Just saying. Chris Sewell looked pretty good for a player who had retired on Thursday and Tom Doneghan did enough to suggest he was right to return to rugby. It was good to see Billy Lloyd and Matty Stephenson back available after injury and they will be valuable options going forward for the whole club. Man of the match was Scott Buttery whose all action game at flanker was similar to his performances at scrum half - but without the inconvenience of having to pass. He frequently made ground with the ball, was firm in defence and secured loads of possession in the loose.

Another to come back on the scene is Lee Clayton who looks to be back to his best by drinking all the beer in the dressing room and pouching two of the carbohydrate heavy teas kindly provided by City. Nowhere near playing yet but back in the rugby groove. Lee did take the following, mainly long distance, match photos some of which contain recognisable rugby players so has our thanks for that :-) https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/hartlepoolroversfootballclub/photos/durham-city-0-21-heughers-775150.html

Next week we are AWAY at another Saracens side this time at Stockton.

Squad

Harrison, Wallace, Coxon, S Railton, Sewell, Donegan, Wright, Arnell, Stephenson, S Saunders, L Saunders, Cushlow, Harrington, Lloyd, Ryan, Stoddart, Addison, Buttery, Power (c)

Report: Ian Smith