Rovers Heughers 33 - 3 Bishop Auckland 2nds

Rovers Heughers got back to winning ways with a 5 try victory over Bishop Auckland 2nds getting us maximum league points and with Acklam losing it seems we will leap frog them to the top of the table in the Candy League again.

Compared to last week selection was a lot easier with only the odd cry off and nearly everyone turning up on time so even the odd late comer and a fierce wind blowing straight down the pitch could not disrupt a comparative zen like calm. We started off well and a period of pressure paid off when Callum Montgomery went over for a well deserved debut try. Alex Rochester had been out practising goal kicking since 1.00pm and had brought a special, pink tee so no-one had the heart to stop him taking the conversion which he duly nailed. Bishop gained territory themselves and we conceded a penalty that Bishop kicked to reduce our lead to 7-3. After Finbar nearly went over after taking a crash ball (he is just not heavy enough these days) Tony Ross showed how it is done by forcing his way over for an unconverted try. Then AJ broke through a ruck and scored under the posts

HT Rovers Heughers 19 - 3 Bishop Auckland 2nds
We now had the advantage of the wind but also took the opportunity to give game time to all of the assembled squad and made numerous interchanges. Squid produced one moment of mirth when he burst onto a pop pass and did some form of simultaneous stumble and 50 metre kick. Have you seen the Lee Trundle penalty well it was a bit like that except at pace and totally unintentional. Then came a passage of play that I thought I may never write about. Josh Healey burst onto the ball and powered through the Bishop defence and when held he passed onto the supporting Brad Harrington who, despite a high tackle, took the ball on from where it was recycled for Squid to score near the posts. Magnificent stuff and we were 26-3 up with the conversion. Our 5th try came shortly after when we made ground with a series of forward drives and Squid spotted a gap on the blind side to scoot round and under the posts for his 4th try in 2 games. 33-3 up and that was the final score. There was time for Tony Ross to be yellow carded though with referee 'Uncle Mark' Harrington showing his neutrality by letting go the high tackle on nephew Brad but banishing Tony to the naughty step!

FT Rovers Heughers 33 - 3 Bishop Auckland 2nds

This was a decent, workmanlike win over a battling Bishop side. We were just that more organised and effective from the start compared to last week and the whole side played well. Alex Rochester had a mature game at stand off putting other players into good positions and showing fine game management. Freeman had another magnificent match and it is a shame that his chip shop shifts (try saying that quickly) prevent him from playing more. Monty jnr looks like he will be an excellent addition to Rovers with his rugged approach. We also had more players making their first appearances of the season. Chris Taylor took time off from putting up the council Xmas lights to put in a super game being prominent in the lineout and with ball in hand. Adam Reay has been training for a while but finally got in the field where he was elusive in attack and strong in defence. We also welcomed back Graham Coutts after what he tells me is a 13 year absence. Couttsy had a smashing game at centre frequently making ground and combining well with Pip and Alex. But Couttsy was not the person returning after the longest break from the club. Dave Hedley last played 14 years ago in what may have been a game against Leicester colts when he played centre. He had a couple of spells in the second row on Saturday and looked like he was loving it. When he caught his breath! A warm welcome back to all our returning Rovers.

Squad

Harrison, Wallace, Wright, Addison, Coutts, Buttery, Coxon, Reay, Rochester Stephenson, L Saunders, Healey, Harrington, Maguire, Ross, S Saunders, Hedley, Ryan, C Montgomery, AJ, Taylor, Lane.

Next week we have a bye in the 2nd teams cup so have picked up a fixture away at old friends and rivals BBOB.

Report: Ian Smith