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Rovers work hard but lose to North Shields
Lee Saunders7 Apr - 08:24
A patched-up Rovers side, missing several regulars travelled North to end the season against an improved North Shields.
An issue at the Tyne Tunnel caused travel disruptions and was the cause for Rovers slow start, which the home side took advantage of putting the Rovers defence under early pressure, which was rewarded on 9 minutes with a try by the home winger wide in the corner. The conversion was missed. (5-0, 9 Mins).
This sparked Rovers into action and some good forward play with Dean at the forefront got them into the home 22. The referee spotted the home defence offside at a ruck and FAWCETT slotted the routine penalty. (5-3, 11 Mins).
Once again Rovers did not control the restart and were put under immediate pressure, however a good turnover in deep in their 22 gave them a chance to clear their lines. They made a mess of the situation and when the ball was stripped in contact, North Shields moved the ball at pace and went over in the corner. The conversion was once again unsuccessful. (10-3, 19 Mins).
On 22 Minutes Rovers attacked and when a clever chip over the onrushing home defence was gathered by Lithgo, the centre drove hard for the line. North Shields attacked the ruck but knocked the ball forward. The Rovers scrum was on top, and a good drive released Dean from No.8, he was tackled close to the line and the ball was switched to WILKINS who drove hard over the line for a try. The back row payer was injured in the process of scoring his try and was replaced by 17-year-old colt Calvert, making his debut.
Rovers efforts were further knocked when Keers came off injured and was replace by late call up Gunn in the centre, while Rovers were resettling North Shields forced the pace and made Rovers concede a number of penalties in an around the 22, from the last one the home number 8 took a quick tap and go and fed his supporting flanker who forced his way over for the try. The conversion was kicked. (17-8, 34 Mins).
The score line was improved again on 37 minutes, when from a promising attacking position, Rovers manufactured a numerical advantage on the blindside. However, the away side attempted a miss pass when going through hands was the correct choice, the home centre gambled and intercepted to run in from 50 metres for the try. The conversion was added. (24-8, 37 Mins).
Half Time 24-8
Rovers needed a fast start to get back into the game but unfortunately it was the home side who scored next, an attacking move looked to have petered out when the home stand-off pushed a grubber kick through, the home centre collected the kick through and headed to the line. He was stopped by a superb tackle by Railton, but Rovers could not prevent the quick ball from the ruck and the home hooker crashed over close to the ruck. The conversion was missed. (29-8, 46 Mins).
Rovers were still causing Shields problems, but a lack of composure was causing them to make unnecessary errors by trying to force offloads. They did manage to get it right on 60 minutes, Rovers forced a series of penalties in the home 22, the referee lost patience and dispatched a home player to the sinbin, some good forward drives by Maguire caused another penalty and Vincent went quick and found CALVERT on his shoulder, the young back rower broke through the tackle and reached out for the try. The conversion from wide out was missed. (29-13, 60 Mins).
Rovers were now on top and looking to add to their score however, they were dealt a blow when on 69 minutes Keers was yellow carded for dissent when he was tackled high, with Rovers deep in the home 22, allowing North Shields to clear their lines.
Rovers moved themselves back into the home 22 on numerous occasions but good defence from North Shields kept them out, with fulltime looking Rovers finally got reward for their efforts.
On 78 minutes, that man CALVERT got further reward for a very eye-catching debut, when Rovers attacked from a scrum. The ball was moved in-field and from the ruck CALVERT appeared on the shoulders of the centres and burst over from close range. The conversion was kicked. (29-20, 78 Mins).
Full Time 29-20
Rovers: Saunders, McGuire, Powell, Smith, Cairns, Wilkins, Sanderson, Dean, Vincent, Fawcett, Harrison, Lithgo, Coulson, Railton, Keers.
Subs (All Used) Gunn, Calvert, King.
MOM – Calvert a highly impressive showing on debut by the young backrower.
This sparked Rovers into action and some good forward play with Dean at the forefront got them into the home 22. The referee spotted the home defence offside at a ruck and FAWCETT slotted the routine penalty. (5-3, 11 Mins).
Once again Rovers did not control the restart and were put under immediate pressure, however a good turnover in deep in their 22 gave them a chance to clear their lines. They made a mess of the situation and when the ball was stripped in contact, North Shields moved the ball at pace and went over in the corner. The conversion was once again unsuccessful. (10-3, 19 Mins).
On 22 Minutes Rovers attacked and when a clever chip over the onrushing home defence was gathered by Lithgo, the centre drove hard for the line. North Shields attacked the ruck but knocked the ball forward. The Rovers scrum was on top, and a good drive released Dean from No.8, he was tackled close to the line and the ball was switched to WILKINS who drove hard over the line for a try. The back row payer was injured in the process of scoring his try and was replaced by 17-year-old colt Calvert, making his debut.
Rovers efforts were further knocked when Keers came off injured and was replace by late call up Gunn in the centre, while Rovers were resettling North Shields forced the pace and made Rovers concede a number of penalties in an around the 22, from the last one the home number 8 took a quick tap and go and fed his supporting flanker who forced his way over for the try. The conversion was kicked. (17-8, 34 Mins).
The score line was improved again on 37 minutes, when from a promising attacking position, Rovers manufactured a numerical advantage on the blindside. However, the away side attempted a miss pass when going through hands was the correct choice, the home centre gambled and intercepted to run in from 50 metres for the try. The conversion was added. (24-8, 37 Mins).
Half Time 24-8
Rovers needed a fast start to get back into the game but unfortunately it was the home side who scored next, an attacking move looked to have petered out when the home stand-off pushed a grubber kick through, the home centre collected the kick through and headed to the line. He was stopped by a superb tackle by Railton, but Rovers could not prevent the quick ball from the ruck and the home hooker crashed over close to the ruck. The conversion was missed. (29-8, 46 Mins).
Rovers were still causing Shields problems, but a lack of composure was causing them to make unnecessary errors by trying to force offloads. They did manage to get it right on 60 minutes, Rovers forced a series of penalties in the home 22, the referee lost patience and dispatched a home player to the sinbin, some good forward drives by Maguire caused another penalty and Vincent went quick and found CALVERT on his shoulder, the young back rower broke through the tackle and reached out for the try. The conversion from wide out was missed. (29-13, 60 Mins).
Rovers were now on top and looking to add to their score however, they were dealt a blow when on 69 minutes Keers was yellow carded for dissent when he was tackled high, with Rovers deep in the home 22, allowing North Shields to clear their lines.
Rovers moved themselves back into the home 22 on numerous occasions but good defence from North Shields kept them out, with fulltime looking Rovers finally got reward for their efforts.
On 78 minutes, that man CALVERT got further reward for a very eye-catching debut, when Rovers attacked from a scrum. The ball was moved in-field and from the ruck CALVERT appeared on the shoulders of the centres and burst over from close range. The conversion was kicked. (29-20, 78 Mins).
Full Time 29-20
Rovers: Saunders, McGuire, Powell, Smith, Cairns, Wilkins, Sanderson, Dean, Vincent, Fawcett, Harrison, Lithgo, Coulson, Railton, Keers.
Subs (All Used) Gunn, Calvert, King.
MOM – Calvert a highly impressive showing on debut by the young backrower.
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