Rovers Heughers went down to a large squad of very strong and well organised Bishop Auckland second string players in a high scoring game where the Heughers competed well and scored 5 tries of their own

The Heughers were boosted by a few returning players with James Evens playing his first game after almost a calendar year away. Tyrone Church also returned after a few months break but the player coming back after the longest time away was Dave Storey whose last game for us was in the 2021-22 season when he played full back in the first team. A position he reprised yesterday for about an hour. And there are more returning players expected in the very near future.

In the game itself Bishop were worthy winners. They are consistently at or near the top of our Candy League table so defeat was no disgrace and the Heughers have much to be proud of in a battling display.

Rovers tries were scored by first winger Kieran Wright who dotted down after a neat cross kick from Dazz Fawcett. Then it was the opposite winger Nathan Harrison who finished off a good passing move to scorch over out wide. Ryan Clayton used his strength to power over after forward pressure took us to the Bishop line. Our penultimate try was an individual effort from Ellis Trimble who kicked forward and was fastest to collect the ball and go clear. And the final score came from a clever Dazz chip over the onrushing defence that was collected by James Keers. Dazz converted 3 tries.

Several players shone but it was Dazz who got our man of the match. His range of kicking and passing was up to his normal standard but he also displayed a hitherto somewhat disguised appetite for tackling putting in some huge hits. You have set the bar now Dazz!

Squad

Dave Storey
James Evens
Kieran Wright
Nathan Harrison
Ellis Trimble - Make Rovers Great Again
James Keers - Rovers Relics
Dazz Fawcett
Matty Stephenson
Dan Arnell
Ryan Clayton - Alan Hay The Ship
Tony Cooper (c)
Billy Lloyd
Matty Saunders
Josh Wintersgill
Ethan Dodge
Freeman Lane
Tyrone Church
Scott Buttery
Ethan Wilkins - Mark Power

Next week the Heughers have a home league game against Darlington 2nds.