Stockton Saracens 24 - 36 Rovers Heughers

Rovers Heughers eventually prevailed over a strong Stockton Saracens side to extend their winning run to seven games in all matches and, probably, put them top of the Candy League.

Selection is never straightforward at this level with cry offs just before KO being balanced by unexpected availability. For once our warm up seemed to go well and we started the game in fine form with Ste Railton going over in the corner for an unconverted try after good work by the the forwards. From the KO Patrick caught the ball and slalomed through the Stockton defence and looked like he could have made the line himself but passed and the move broke down. Then Tom Geoghan (ex Saracens don't you know) retrieved a kick and streaked down the wing before passing inside to the supporting Pip Addison. Dazz added the conversion to put us 0-12 up. We could have easily added to our tally but butchered several chances by taking wrong options or poor execution. And this would come back to bite us on the bum when Stockton scored 2 tries where our tackling let us down. As both were converted that put them ahead 12-14 ahead.

Stockton Saracens 14 - 12 Rovers Heughers

At half time, and to popular acclaim, Pervy was withdrawn after a less than stellar performance. Also for the second half we now had to play into the wind but made light work of it initially.

From the KO Pip caught the ball and it was recycled to Tony Ross and his pace took Stockton, and us, by surprise as he made the line after a 40 metre burst. Unfortunately the ref ruled he was held up but we made the most of the position when Matty Stephenson snuck over shortly afterwards. Then Jonny Cushlow gave a perfect example of taking a man out with a pass to put Pip into space for a gallop to the corner for his second try. At that stage we led 14-24 but first Jonny Stoddart then Tom had to retire injured. The latter being replaced by Wally who slotted onto the wing in his 55th year. Stockton hit back again though with 2 unconverted tries out wide to tie the game at 24 - 24 with about quarter of an hour to go. We attacked again and the Stockton fly half was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on on their line. This was a blow to Stockton as he had scored 3 of their tries and after getting 10 points for their 1st XV last week was clearly in good form. We took full advantage of his absence though when Dazz spotted that Pip had cleverly drifted wide unmarked and put over a delicate little cross kick to the in goal area. Pip did his best not to score by first running past the the ball and then slipping over before regaining his feet and flopping on the ball for his hat trick. Dazz's kicking was prominent shortly after when he put in another beautifully weighted chip over the onrushing Stockton defence for Ste Railton to gather at pace and race from the halfway line to score under the posts. The conversion put us 24-36 up and there was to be no further score.

FT Stockton Saracens 24 - 36 Rovers Heughers

All credit to Stockton who gave us a hard game played in the right manner and who at one stage in the second half looked like they were the side most likely to win.

But the game also showed our battling qualities and it is testament to those that we scored 4 tries in the second half into the wind to turn the game around. While all 6 tries were scored by backs there were some heroic performances in the pack to win the ball. Patrick ruled the lineout and revelled in being back in the back row (though he ain't a number 8) and AJ was immense in defence. Matty Stevo, Dazz and Scott Buttery controlled the game for us in midfield and Ste Railton and Pip took their tries well. Man of the match for his hat trick must go to Pip.

We also received some good news after the game as Graeme Coutts has re-signed for Rovers having been out of the area for a number of years. A powerful back when he last played he will give us further options. Good to have you back Couttsy !

Thanks to the decent amount of supporters who turned up. Next week we have the first of 3 home league games in a row against Barnard Castle

Squad

Harrison, Railton, Addison, Buttery, Geoghan, Wallace, Dazz, Stevenson, Ross, Cushlow, Harrington, Lloyd, Williamson, Power (c), Ryan, Stoddart, Little, O'Callaghan, D Smith, AJ