Rovers finally got their home season under way when they welcomed Acklam to the New Friarage on a glorious day that felt more like summer than October. Acklam, relegated last season, arrived determined to bounce straight back into Level 7 and Rovers knew they were in for a tough afternoon. Traditionally Acklam are a fully committed, physical and well‑organised side who, on their day, can play some very good rugby.

Acklam started the game with a kick that failed to travel 10 metres. Rovers opted for the scrum back in the centre of the pitch. The ball was moved towards the Oakes touchline before a couple of forward carries allowed Barnfield to move the ball wide. It went through the hands and Harrison offloaded back inside to the supporting Keers, who finished from the 10 metre line. He converted his own try to make it 7-0 and Rovers were off to the perfect start.

Both teams then tested each other out before Rovers were awarded a penalty which they kicked to the corner. The lineout was well executed and the ball once again moved wide. Despite not being the slickest of passes, Keers managed to get an offload away to Trimble, who stepped between two defenders to score the second try. Keers added the extras for 14-0.

Acklam began to get into the game, with their fleet‑footed fullback making ground out wide, but the Rovers defence held firm. It was from a good period of Acklam pressure that Rovers scored their third. Acklam were putting phases together well when Barnfield stripped the ball in the tackle for a turnover. The ball was quickly moved to Keers, who made ground from deep in his own half. As he was tackled, Trimble was there for the offload. It became a straight sprint between the two fullbacks. The Acklam fullback, no slouch himself, was fingertips away from making a last‑ditch tackle but Trimble just had enough to get under the posts. Keers added the simple conversion for 21-0.

Acklam then had some sustained pressure on the Rovers line. Despite brave tackling, particularly from young Wintersgill, Rovers were penalised. Acklam opted for a scrum, moved the ball wide and scored in the scoreboard corner. The conversion was missed. Rovers were guilty of not clearing their lines when the opportunity arose and Acklam took advantage. The score was now 21-5.

The next ten minutes were scrappy, with Acklam perhaps having the better territory. However, Rovers had looked dangerous out wide all game and when the ball was moved wide again, Harrison made good yards before being tackled. Acklam were penalised for coming in from the side. Barnfield reacted quickest with a tap penalty and as he was grabbed he offloaded to Trimble, who ran in to score. Another conversion made the half‑time score 28-5.

The second half started well for Rovers. Some good phase play took them deep into the Acklam half. Rovers stepped into touch and Acklam had a lineout. Wilson disrupted it and after a couple of forward carries the ball was fired wide. Lithgo ghosted through two defenders to score under the posts. Keers kept his 100 percent kicking record and the score moved to 35-5.

Rochester then made a long kick into the Acklam 22. When the Acklam player missed touch with his return kick, livewire Trimble made a darting run. Unselfishly he offloaded to Lithgo for a simple finish after Trimble’s work. Keers converted again for 42-5.

To their credit, Acklam picked up the tempo. Lesser teams may have thrown in the towel but Acklam kept at the Rovers line in search of tries and a bonus point. From a good lineout maul they moved the ball wide and scored out wide. No conversion, making it 42-10.

With the clock ticking down the comeback was impossible but the bonus point was a real target. There were good passages of play from both teams. Lithgo put in a cross‑field kick from his own try line for Trimble to catch and reach halfway, but the pass to his support didn’t go to hand. Acklam then intercepted in their own 22 and a foot race between Trimble and the Acklam player ended with Trimble catching him and tackling him into touch.

Not long after, Rochester was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. Acklam took full advantage of the extra man and scored their third try, this time converted, to make it 42-17.

A smart kick from Barnfield found touch five metres from the Acklam line. Acklam failed to execute the lineout and the ball was overthrown. Calvert was on hand at the back of the line to collect and score. Keers added the extras for 49-17.

Acklam had the final say with a fourth try, earning themselves a deserved bonus point for their never‑say‑die attitude. A lineout on the Oakes side saw the ball moved wide. A good tackle by Railton stopped the initial attack but Acklam’s support was on hand to take the offload and finish well in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed. That was the final play as referee Mr Riddle blew for full time.

This was a difficult test for Rovers, one they passed comfortably in the end. That’s over 100 points scored in two match days and the maximum five league points from both. It is exactly the start the coaching team were hoping for. The game plan worked well and the backs executed their chances with pace and power. Credit to Acklam, who gave the men in white a tough afternoon and will no doubt be challenging come the end of the season.

Next week Rovers host Billingham 2nd team in a rearranged league fixture. 3pm kick off
There is no game for the Heughers next week but there is a Vets game on Friday evening 7pm kick off at Durham City.