Rovers roar back for unlikely victory

Rovers were hit with an early disappointment when Trimble was hurt in the warm-up, Coach Smith electing to start with Ross C. on the wing, to provide the young winger a chance to recover from the knock. Ponteland kicked off in monsoon like conditions and immediately took the game to Rovers and forced a series of early penalties from referee Lowery.
There early pressure was rewarded in the 4th minute when from a penalty for not rolling away in the tackle the ball was kicked deep in the Rovers 22, the lineout drill was good and the home side marched Rovers over the try line for a good try in the corner by the home prop forward. The difficult conversion was missed. (5-0, 4 mins).
Rovers were guilty of trying to play too much rugby in the conditions and were regularly being caught out in possession by the eager home side who were really in control of the early exchanges, it was only good defence by Rovers that kept them in the game, with some excellent tackles being put in by the Ross brothers in particular.
Ponteland finally added to their lead after 24 minutes and once again it came from pressurising the Rovers defence into a midfield error. Rovers failed to clear their line when deep inside their 22 and the ball was turned over and quickly moved to the home winger who had a clear run in to the corner for the try. The conversion was once again missed. (10-0, 24 mins).
This stung Rovers into action and they finally started to play some attacking rugby and started to take the home pack on up front. They repeatedly made ground into the home sides half but it just seemed one of those days when they ball was either knocked on or dropped in the difficult conditions.
The remainder of the half was played out in and around the halfway line with both sides defence holding firm, a big 2nd half effort and change of tactics was needed by Rovers if they were to get anything out of this game.
Half time 10-0
Pinchen and Trimble replaced Healey and Ross C. at half time.
The 2nd half kicked off and Rovers seemed to start well kicking the ball behind the Ponteland defence and turning them, allowing them to gain a foothold in the game. But disaster struck when from a kick chase by Rovers a missed tackle allowed Ponteland to move the ball swiftly to the wing, where the fullback ran a good line and timed his pass to perfection to put the winger in at the corner. The conversion was kicked from the sideline (17-0, 50 mins).
Rovers were now really up against it, but the introduction of Armstrong for the hard-working Whitehead finally gave Rovers some forward momentum. Rovers started to move the ball better and went to a more basic game plan of hitting the ball up more in midfield. They stated to make gains and were causing Ponteland to give away penalties at the ruck. From one such award the ball was kicked to the home 22, the Rovers lineout won the ball and the forward pack set to work, rucking the home side to their own line, just when it seemed like Ponteland had held firm, LITTLE came on a late line close to the ruck and forced his way over for the try, with Healey off the pitch front row colleague LLOYD slotted the conversion (17-7, 62 mins).
Rovers now had the bit between their teeth with Barnfield looking dangerous repeatedly taking tap and goes, catching the Ponteland defence retreating and making yards. From one such play the Rovers captain broke through the 1st line of defence and broke clear, he was tackled well by the home fullback. The Rovers forwards took over moving the ball to the right through some close forward play and they crated an overlap on the left side. From the resulting ruck the referee sent the home centre to the sinbin for killing the ball deep in the home 22 when quick ruck ball would have allowed Rovers a run in for the try. Rovers went quickly but made a mess of the move and the ball was kicked clear by the Ponteland defence, resulting in play restarting just inside the Rovers half.
The Rovers lineout won the ball and the ball was moved to Rchester who fed Gunn, the centre ran hard and the ruck ball was quick, Rochester looked up and spotted that the home defence had closed in to cover for the missing centre and he sent a clever cross field kick to TRIMBLE. The young winger still had a lot to do but he managed to squirm clear and sprinted home for an opportunist try. Lloyd could not convert the try. (17-12, 67 mins).
The visitors were now in the ascendancy against a tiring home side and the they were forcing the home side into errors allowing them to get into good field position but they repeatedly gave away scrum penalties which was hampering their efforts.
From one of these scrum penalties on the edge of the home 22, the ball was kicked to just inside the Rovers half, once again the ball was won by Ponteland lineout and they attacked by moving the ball along the back line, good Rovers defence kept them out but Ponteland kept possession and switched the ball to the blind side. The Rovers defence was stretched but KEERS read the play well and tackled the Ponteland player man and ball, the Rovers centre wrestled the ball off his opposite number and managed to keep on his feet, allowing him to sprint clear and score under the posts from 50 metres. The centre kicked the important conversion himself and Rovers were ahead. (17-19, 73 mins).
The massive away following were driving the visitors on with their support to what would have been an unlikely win at half time and the Rovers players responded by tackling hard and keeping the Ponteland attacks out. There was however later drama when from a Rovers knock on when they attempted to clear their lines on 78 minutes a scrum was awarded to the home side just outside the 22. Ponteland scrummaged well and the referee awarded the home side a penalty. The game was in the balance as the home kicker stepped up, but he sent his effort wide.
Rochester kicked the restart long and the Rovers players chased hard, Ponteland had one last attacking opportunity from half way, but a good double tackle by the Rovers defence forced a knock on and the referee brought the game to a halt.
Full Time 17-19
Rovers had completely turned the game on its head with a massive 2nd half effort and they celebrated a 6th win which keep them on the heels of the teams above with 3 remaining games to play, with the travelling supporters.
Up next is Acklam at home on 16th March, Coach Smith has issued a rallying cry for all Rovers supporters to attend to support the team in another difficult game. That date is also the date of the players reunion so it is hoped for a bumper crowd at the New Friarage.
Rovers: Healey, T. Ross, Lloyd, Smith, Whitehead, Little, Vincent, Dring, Barnfield©, Rochester, Ross C., Gunn, Keers, Harrison, Railton Subs: (All Used) Pinchen, Trimble, Armstrong.