.

Rovers Heughers continued their winning ways against Hartlepool and District sides with a battling victory over Old Boys A in a very competitive encounter. While there were 3 yellow cards for Rovers and one (possibly two) red cards for Old Boys it was by no means a dirty game.

The first half was a low scoring affair with both sides eschewing kick able penalties to go for tries. A typical Danny Charters break brought the only score of the half. Danny beating several defenders to go over for an unconverted try after 26 minutes. 5-0. Our chances of retaining the lead were much reduced when we had 2 players carded for high tackles just before half time. Captain Dringy and Ryan Harrison having to spend some time on the naughty step.

HT: Rovers Heughers 5 - 0 Old Boys 0

We managed to prevent any score while short handed and Dringy and Chow returned to bring us back up to complement. Indeed we gained a numerical advantage when the ref saw something at a breakdown and red carded an Old Boys player. We stretched our lead to 8-0 when Dazz knocked over a penalty. Old Boys touch judge Dave Carson-White was then asked to step down from his duties after the ref thought he had heard some unwanted advice. It was actually someone else and we might have wished Dave had stayed on as Old Boys powered home in the corner after a good period of pressure. Except the replacement touch judge forgot he was officiating and didn't give that the scorer, by the touch judge's own admission, was out. No names and in amateur rugby there is no point in complaining. You just have to accept these things. They maybe balance out over the year.

While Old Boys had their tails up it was Rovers who stretched their lead when the forwards made ground and the ball was worked along the line for the returning Adam Smith to go over. We made it harder for ourselves with yet another yellow card, this time for Anth Hanley, for another high tackle. But we held out for a welcome win

FT: Rovers Heughers 13 - 5 Old Boys A

Thanks to Old Boys for an excellent game that kept both sets of spectators entertained until the end. If they can keep putting out such a strong side out I am sure they will start to knock up some wins soon.

For Rovers it was a win built on defence. Old Boys threw the kitchen sink at us at times but we held out. Although we need to work on tackling technique to avoid conceding penalties and losing players to the bin.

It was also good to see players returning to the field after injury or a period away from the game. Anth Hanley was a mobile hard working forward while Adam Smith showed he hasn't lost his try scoring instincts and will enhance our back line. And after returning from injury and fatherhood Danny Charters put in an impressive performance that fully warranted his man of the match award.

Finally please spare a thought for Callum's underpants. Callum had been up ill all night and had cried off and then cried back on again. Callum gave his all on the field and unfortunately gave that little bit too much which required a hasty retreat to the toilets!

Next week we are due to play Upper Eden at (Kirby Stephen) with a 2pm KO

Squad.

K Wright
A Smith
N Harrison
R Harrison
C Sainty
L Widdowfield
M Lamb
D Fawcett
S Buttery
M Saunders
K Lawson
L Powell
B Lloyd
A Palmer
A Hanley
J Cairns
M Power
C Whitehead
D Foster
S Jeffery
A Dring (c)
D Charters