With arguably our best result of the season Rovers Heughers beat high flying Bishop Auckland 2s in an entertaining match where 11 tries were scored. The Heughers easing past an excellent Bishop side 6 tries to 5 and kicking a couple more conversions.

The Heughers had good availability and were strengthened by a number of factors. We had few front line players returning from long injury lay offs, those with alternate work commitments were available this week and we had a number of Colts available to boost us.

The Heughers scored first when good hands put Charlie Evans away and the young winger raced down the touchline for his first senior try. Well done Charlie. I have no doubt there are are more tries to come. Dazz Fawcett missed the kick but that was the only conversion he did miss. Though not long after a penalty kick hit the post. POC took advantage of a mix up at a Bishop scrum on their line to pounce and Daźz's conversion stretched our lead to 12-0. Bishop came back and one of their large gentlemen welcomed some less than effective tackling for a converted try. 12-7. Just before half time though Alex Rochester made a lovely break through the centre to score under the posts.

HT: Rovers Heughers 19 - 7 Bishop Auckland 2s

A raft of Rovers' changes were made at half time, without in any way weakening the team, but it was Bishop who were first on the score board on the second half when a jinky run from a lineout led to an unconverted try. 19-12 Super sub James Keers kept up his exceptional scoring record with 2 tries. Both coming from excellent breaks with the first a particularly noteworthy effort from the half way line. 33- 12. Bishop were next on the scoreboard with their winger having a strong run to score a converted try. 33-19. Davy Carroll then scored one of his customary tries - a crash over from half a yard through a few despairing defenders. Dazz's conversion brought us to the 40 point mark. Bishop had the final words though by scoring 2 tries to end the game.

FT: Rovers Heughers 40 - 31 Bishop Auckland 2s

This was an excellent bonus point win over a Bishop side who have consistently been at or near the top of our league over the past few seasons.

It was great to see Ryan Clayton and Ste Barnfield back on a rugby pitch after about 3 and 4 months out respectively and both had fine halves of a game. James Keers must be top try scorer for the club which is very impressive considering he is only available once every 2 or 3 weeks. Ethan Wilkins also had his first gallop for months and was unlucky not to score after a powerful performance. Once again our Colts Charlie Evans, Ollie Dunn, Jake McMorris, Joel Aloub and Jay Wintersgill showed up well. Another bonus was the appearance of Zack Fallow who had an impressive muscular cameo . Zack was one our Colts until he joined the Army and it is to be hoped he can be available more. Finally after a few years away from the game, and after a bit of gentle nagging, brothers James and Lewy Dixon turned out together. Both played well and it was Lewy who edged it on the day with a man of the match performance. Well done Lewy.

With the appearance of the latest players I make it that is 90 that turned out for the Heughers so far this season. NINETY. Admittedly some have been guests but that is still an impressive number. The trick, of course, is getting more available more regularly.

Squad

Adam Strong
Dan Arnell
Dazz Fawcett
Alex Rochester
Cam Lithgo
Ste Barnfield
James Keers
Lewy Dixon
James Dixon
Charlie Evans
Ben Glaister-Smith
Tony Cooper (c)
Josh Healey
Davy Carroll
Ryan Clayton
Jacob Cairns
Ollie Dunn
Darren Smith
Ethan Wilkins
Freeman Lane
POC
Danny Brackstone
Jay Wintersgill
Jake McMorris
Joel Aloub
Zack Fallow