The Friaragemen went into today’s game with even more changes, due to work and injuries, with veterans Wise, Coulson and Smith stepping up to start todays match against high-flying Sunderland at the New Friarage.
Rovers lost the toss and started the 1st half attacking the club house with the wind at their backs and they took immediate advantage putting the Sunderland defence under pressure by sending the kick off long, when Sunderland cleared the ball Keers ran the ball back and beat his man on the outside, Rovers were now in the visitors 22 and after a series of penalty awards by referee Williams, HEALEY kicked them into the lead in the 4th minute. (3-0, 4 Mins).
Rochester and Barnfield were controlling the play nicely turning the big Sunderland pack backwards with some clever kicking eagerly chased by the Rovers backline.
On 12 minutes Rovers knocked the ball forward when in a promising position just outside the Sunderland 22, Sunderland won the ball cleanly at the scrum and moved the ball into the hands of their big ball carrying centre but he was excellently chop tackled by the Rovers midfield and that allowed the Rovers backrow a chance to attack the ruck and win a penalty for holding on. The penalty kick was slotted by HEALEY. (6-0, 12 Mins).
Sunderland finally got a foot hold in the game when on 21 minutes they moved the ball swiftly along the line and forced Rovers into conceding a penalty, Sunderland elected for a scrum and a good set play saw them break into the Rovers 22. A clever inside pass put the 2nd row through a gap and he drove for the posts, Harrison made a good tackle but the support was quick and the ball was popped the visiting no. 8 HOLDER who scored in the corner. The conversion was kicked by RYAN (6-7, 21 Mins).
Rovers immediately attacked from the re-start when a good break by Coulson forced the Sunderland defence into conceding a penalty for being offside at the ruck but Healey was unable to add move points as he missed the difficult penalty.
Sunderland re-started the game and kicked the ball to the half-way line, Rovers set about moving the ball back into the Sunderland 22 with good backs move which once again sent Keers through. He was tackled 15 metres out but the Rovers support play was good and they secured the ball at the ruck, the forwards got to work and made several small gains towards the visitors line. The good patient play was rewarded when from a ruck 3m out coach SMITH hit the line at speed and forced his way over for a good team try. The conversion was kicked by HEALEY. (13-7, 26 Mins).
Things got even better for Rovers when on 29 minutes when an interception from Healey in midfield got them on the front foot, the prop made 10 metres but more importantly the ball was won quickly at the ruck and Rovers hit the blindside where Harrison timed his pass to perfection, drawing in 2 defenders to set ROSS away and he ran in from the 22. Once again, the conversion was successful by HEALEY. (20-7, 29 Mins).
Unfortunately for Rovers veteran centre Coulson who was really impacting the game was hurt in the build up to the try and had to leave the field, he was replaced by Burnside who was making his seasonal debut.
These quick scores stung Sunderland into attack and they moved the ball up field with some determined running from their big pack. Rovers were now on the back foot and the heavy Sunderland pack were putting them under pressure in the scrum. From one such scrum Sunderland moved the ball left across their back line and their lively winger made a good break. Trimble got back and tackled his man but Rovers gave away a penalty. The Rovers defence was caught with their backs turned, when they probably expected a Sunderland scrum or line-out the visiting full back EDMUNDSION took a quick tap and go and ran a try in from 10 metres out. The conversion was again kicked from RYAN. (20-14, 35 Mins).
The remainder of the half was played out in the Rovers 22 as Sunderland tried to edge in front before half time, they had a series of scrums 5 metres out but the Rovers front five really grafted hard and managed to keep the Sunderland pack at bay, eventually taking the last scrum against the head 5 metres out which allowing the ball to be kicked clear and the half to finish.
Half Time 20-14
Rovers made a change with Smith coming off for Wilkins who took his place in the 2nd row.
Sunderland now had use of the elements and with their scrum starting to cause Rovers problems it was looking like an up hill task for Rovers.
Sunderland started the half well and forced Rovers back with some good forwards play but time and time again they were stopped by tremendous home defence. The Friarage fans were really getting behind the Rovers players and it seemed that every tackle they made frustrated Sunderland more and they were twice marched back by referee Williams for descent. Rovers finally gained some field position and got into the Sunderland half and after a series of penalty awards, they were in the Sunderland 22, they drove a lineout win in field and towards the Sunderland line with a series of controlled rucks, Barnfield quickly moved the ball to the blindside and both Baxter and then Wise both had goes of the line but both were held up by some good Sunderland defence.
Almost the whole of the 2nd half was played in the Rovers half of the field with Sunderland attacking through their forwards and Rovers defending well and winning turn-overs. Healey was replaced by Pinchen and the prop shored up the Rovers scrum and drove the ball forward well to relieve some of the pressure.
The game was on a knife-edge and Sunderland needed a converted try, with their scrum on top they elected to take a couple of scrums when in kicking position but the Rovers pack put in some magnificent efforts holding out, allowing the ball to be cleared up field time and time again.
As the game moved into injury time Sunderland moved the ball quickly along their back line and the covering Keers was yellow carded for a high tackle on the Sunderland winger on the edge of the 22. The ball was kicked 5 metres out and the lineout won by Sunderland who tried to maul Rovers over the line. Rovers gave away another penalty and this time Sunderland elected for the scrum, with the referee indicating the last play the Sunderland forwards moved the Rovers pack backwards and toward their line. The scrum began to turn and the visiting No. 8 picked up and drove for the line but was tackled by 3 Rovers players and knocked the ball forward as he reached out to score, Barnfield scooped up the ball and cleared to bring the game to a finish.
Full Time 20-14
Rovers now have a week off to allow their waling wounded to rest up before the visit of Whitely Bay Rockliff on the 17th February.
Rovers: Healey, McGuire, Wise, Baxter, Smith, Dean, Vincent, Dring, Barnfield©, Rochester, Ross C., Coulson, Keers, Trimble, Harrison Subs: (All Used) Pinchen, Burnside, Wilkins.