Our preparation was disrupted when during the warm up Aaron Kemp got a late call up to the 1st XV - and congratulations to him. However Tony Ross offered to go on the bench and Ste Saunders, who had only come to watch, borrowed some boots and joined him. So we got a 2 for 1 offer.

We had the upper hand in the opening exchanges and got our reward when the pack rumbled over with Pinky being last up with the ball. Pinky is our own version of Chabal having made the unusual conversion from scrum half to number 8. Pinky's try is below. If you look hard enough .... there is no trace of him. It was somewhat against the run of play when the rapid right winger from Acklam ran onto a grubber kick to level the scores at 5-5. Anything Acklam could do though so could we and Dave Storey cross kicked for Curtis Ross to run onto and score his first try for Rovers since taking up rugby.

Acklam again drew level at 10-10 before Michael Railton made a trademark burst through for a customary try. Dave Storey hit the post with the conversion but we were 15-10 ahead. Acklam raised their game though and scored 3 consecutive tries to put them in the lead at 15-25. Back we came though and after softening up by the forwards Adam Strong snook over for a popular first senior try. 20-25. We went back on the attack and were pressing when Acklam broke away to score again. The conversion was the final play of the game - and the only successful one of the afternoon - and it also meant we missed out on a losing bonus point.

This was a game that was disappointing to lose. We were only behind in the final 20 minutes and, arguably, had the majority of ball and possession. However credit to Acklam who had some good runners and kept going till the end.

There were many positives to take from the game. We had good numbers and a balanced side who competed throughout and with a little more precision could have won. Ash Griff and Curtis Ross continued their development since taking up rugby. Reece Chesterton and Adam Strong are also settling into the senior game. At the other end of the age spectrum it was good to see Dos and Ste Saunders, pictured, back on the pitch. We had an especially experienced pack with 5 forwards qualified to turn out for the Vets.

Squad

Hann, Ash Griff, Grand, Hodgson, C Ross, Storey, Bird, Palmer, Squid, L Saunders, Ingham, Groom, Barker (c), Addison, Graves

interchanges - M Railton, Strong, T Ross, S Saunders, Hudson, Chesterton

Next week we are at Bishop Auckland against their 2nd XV who beat Old Boys yesterday and against whom we had an excellent game a fortnight ago. Let's get good numbers out.