In a week where it’s been confirmed my laptop will rise and take over the world it’s the second home game of the 2026 season as comments resound about “where have you been?” It’s still very early in the season but getting into a rhythm and building the team combinations is the name of the game especially with new faces and a very young squad. Let’s face it it’s going to be another challenging season chasing points with the first two games seeing points slipping out of grasp, sport has very unforgiving margins especially in a very competitive league. No pre-season match reports as a warm up so let’s see how this goes. I was asked this week given that social media updates, try lights and various accurate footage was available if there was any need for the humble match report. Of course for those regular readers I don’t think that the term accurate has been used for these random notes, I like to think we provide the feeling of the game rather than the game itself with the odd correct name thrown in now and again. Please if you are expecting accurate stop reading now.
After a very hot summer I am still jealous of many of the gym session squad who all seem to tan much better than I do, we have the David Dickinson shade and beyond perhaps I should remove my cagoule more. It’s always good to get a session in, engage with the talking points, see who training midweek is and be well fed by Marty. A quick thank you to Matt (the face of many sports) who disappeared whilst I was on summer vacation and who always reads mainly to make sure I reference him. The season always brings a buzz of various teams training but hats off to those who keep it going throughout the year your refreshment orders, chat and company are a real tonic.
Game day arrives and it’s bright but with a changeable breeze, I narrowly avoid getting stuck in on the flyover heading back from Yorkshire so arrive at the club unusually early. A couple of check in/waves on my way up to the mount and a good catch up once there regarding the 2nd/3rd team’s season delay but heads up the season openers are on their way. Both teams run through the warm ups with Wharfedale’s coaches running the ball into the bags with flourish. Both teams warming up in green as the flags tell of an intermittent breeze from greenwood road across the pitch, looks like a tricky one of any kicks. It’s the girls section who provides the guard of honour this week, so it’s very bust at the club house end as the teams jog out. Wharfedale first changed into black tops with white shorts, the green and white follow with the officials in pink, here we go.
Despite the girls section posing for a photo in the bottom corner Wharfedale kick off towards the club house, Billingham collect moving the ball across to the stand side over a few phases. Back across the middle as Charlie Evans spots a gap, opting not to chip it’s a feed inside to Luke Wilson at a canter, who draws the defence. Cheat code Lane is on hand outside to collect and runs in under the sticks for an early one for the home team. Jamie Lane then acts as ball holder as Luke strokes the conversion over, 7 – 0 for the home side as people are still negotiating with Alan at the gate.
Wharfedale to restart, not the kick for those just taking their places, Billingham retrieve and after couple of phase with no gain the box kick is taken, caught by the wind its straight out meaning wander back for the line out. Charlie is hosted on queue to filch the throw and kicks are exchanged as both teams look to embrace the blustery conditions. The breakdown is also warming up as both sides take it in turns to look for the gap and allow the other to get in over the ball. Wharfedale using the big forwards to keep the ball, sending in repeat drives to make gains, alternatively Billingham looking to use the mobile pack to move the ball around and stretch the defence as its ebbs around the half way line. Its Billingham who look to break out moving the ball from stand to dugout side, well covered by Wharfedale into touch. Line out ball taken cleanly by Wharfedale but Billingham over the ball to get the arm up and then a quick tap, along the line as Harry Rickard keeps it alive with an out the back pass on the stand side. Arm is up as Billingham go coast to coast but Wharfedale close ranks so it’s into the corner to set up from the line out. Joe Browell at the front to secure as Billingham look to control, its moved further in field with Anth Jackson appearing from the ruck, tackled he offloads to find on rushing Charlie who goes in under the posts. Luke makes it two for two and the home side double their lead 14 – 0.
Wharfedale send a high one, collected by Adam Brown but the ref is miles away and wasn’t ready to restart so it’s a retake, Charlie on the collect this time. Not much gain so its boot to ball into the wind, Wharfedale collect not too far up the pitch and run it back, high tackle from the home side, arm straight up from the man in the middle. Wharfedale kick to the bottom corner, collect the line out and set off across the pitch, looks like they have the line in sight but knock on allowing Billingham to exit but Wharfedale still have advantageous field position. Line out again collected this time the backs are released for a chip and chase, Billingham cover just beating the flyers out wide to ground. Drop out into the wind and Wharfedale line up the runners, arm up from the ref and Billingham finally succumb to the try out wide. Unconverted the visitors banish the doughnut and build a bit of uncle Mo.
Billingham kick off deep, Wharfedale collect and set up the box kick mainly to exit but the given the wind it bounces in field awkwardly then bobbles its way down the line for a 50:20. Talk about a momentum shifter as Billingham face the Wharfedale wave at the club house end again. Pretty much a re-run of the previous try as Wharfedale collect the line out then knock on at the first attempt, Billingham exit from the scrum, Wharfedale try again via line out and quick hands move the ball to grab the try out wide stand side, kicking with the wind the conversion is good, the visitors on a roll 14 -12.
So which squad now responds?, Wharfedale collect the kick off and box kick to exit with no bobbling advantage this time. Billingham line out is overthrown allowing Wharfedale to capitalise but not really much gain of it’s a boot down field. Martin Hopley swings around to sweep up, feeding Peter Evans who opts to test the congested defensive line, its a bit keen from Wharfedale and the pink arm is raised. This allows Billingham to move up the field via a kick to touch, Line out is good but Wharfedale up the defensive sets to push Billingham back but they retain the ball and Jamie dances around the breakdown and into space. Charlie provide the supporting run to nab a second, with Luke poping another over 21 -12 to the home side.
Its Wharfedale’s turn to kick off, Charlie collects and Peter pops and exit kick. Wharfedale line out is good but they knock on moving the ball across the pitch, scrum is steady as the ball comes out Wharfedale side, its across the pitch as per the last play but the winger collects at pace and evades two tackles to go in, unconverted it indicates pace out on the wing as the visitors once more narrow the gap. 21 – 17.
Billingham kick off which is swiftly returned down field into touch, Martin wastes no time taking a quick line out before the forward get there as Billingham look to move it up the field. Its pahses play as the runners work hard and the support works even harder to retain, Jacko with a burst and Kieran Clarke with a rumble. It’s looking congested up the middle so Billingham look wide stand side but the pass goes into touch. Not straight from Wharfedale but I suspect it was the breeze allows Billingham to go quick, Louie Groark into the mix with strong run and Martin with a deft nudge to chase, Wharfedale block and cover the kick then send it out. Browell at the line out again secures then ball goes loose, kicks are exchanged and Wharfedale get in a favourable field position but don’t press it home as the half ends.
Time for a breather as its been non-stop from each side, as many of the faithful make the journey down to the club house for refreshment top up and hopefully an action packed second half. It’s still very breezy and its slightly darker gray over the club house but the continual stream of stalwarts and alumni wandering past (Hello, Danny Dixon) keep spirits up. Apparently its less that 100 days until Christmas so get your BRUFC orders in plus start hunting for that jumper, was it where you left it last year? If you would like a seat on the fun bus for away games be early, it fills up fast and of course always make sure to have the correct change available. What’s going on with the hidden words this season, you keep me hanging on.
Second half Billingham kick off towards the club house, Wharfedale collect but the arm is up and Billingham opt to go quick towards the posts, its frenetic start as the arm is up again. Billingham look to swing it out then back inside getting closer, the club house voices rise and does the pressure. High tackle really close to the line, man in the middle flashes a yellow forcing Wharfedale to re-organise the front row for the following scrum. Billingham steady then pick and go, Jacko is over but ball dropped which Wharfedale collect and send into touch. Billingham still on the front foot as Jamie dances into traffic, then the ball is set out towards the standside to stretch the 14 men, back inside as Jacko grounds the try. Luke with the extras as Billingham start the second half quickly 28-17.
Wharfedale kick off short and with Billingham choosing to watch the ball (missed communication) they retrieve and set about the sending the runners in, slowly the gather gain and move the ball across the pitch to go in for the try. Converted the see saw fixture continues at 28 – 24.
Billingham kick off and retrieve the ball, then its quick hands to the stand side as Martin makes a break draws the cover and feeds Louie G to romp in. Luke pops another one over as the home team respond quickly 35 – 24.
Wharfedale kick off and Billingham are well placed to collect however its dropped allowing Wharfedale to set up and nudge through. Line out is scrappy but it’s a Wharfedale knock on allowing Billingham to exit following the scrum. Line out is taken and Wharfedale send the forward runners in up the middle, its runs out of steam and an attempted kick hits Peter, scrum given Wharfedale ball. Wharfedale get a nudge then move the ball up the pitch via the forwards, Billingham infringe a couple of times and Wharfedale opt for the scrum as a platform. Knocking on the door its moved wide and despite a loose pass which is knocked backwards its try time out wide. Conversion hold up in the wind but the visitors stay in touch 35 – 29.
Billingham send one into the Wharfedale 22 which is returned quickly allowing Harry R to head towards a gap, that closes but Billingham use the mobile pack to stretch the defence. Jacko gets into space and gallops towards the posts, cover tackle across as Billingham recycle quick and send Louis into the corner dug out side. A tricky wide kick in the conditions results in first miss from Luke, 40 -29 to the home team.
More kick off frustration from Billingham as they knock on from the restart giving Wharfedale the platform to set up the repeated forwards drives, they look to change the point of attack and the repeated gains push Billingham back. Lots of effort put in to tackle and halt the advance but the ball is moved and the whitewash is breached again. Converted it sets up a very interesting last 15 minutes of the match at 40 – 36.
Billingham kick off and Wharfedale run it back into traffic so opt to boot it up filed, Billingham retrieve and work a gap dug out side, Luke Wilson with a little burst and Jamie breaks through, pass intercepted by Wharfedale defence, exit kick. Line out is stolen by Wharfedale and they set up using familiar effective retain and drive. It’s a bit side to side but little by little its picking up gain until Harry Beadling gets hands over the ball about halfway. A competitive line out ends in a Billingham feed at the scrum, steady hold and Billingham look to finish strong, the bench is on and Matty White has a good strong run. There’s a kerfuffle standside and its scrum Wharfedale ball but they go to early so it hands Billingham opportunity. Quick tap and go as Billingham look for the runners, Wharfedale steal but arm is up so its into the corner as time is ticking. Its a retrieval at the back as Billingham look to set up, its a kick through that comes to nothing as Wharfedale cover. Second chance is a cleaner take and drive, ref is on the spot to say no try so it’s a scrum. Wharfedale feed but its Billingham ball and along the line quick, its airborne Charlie to go in for the try in front of the club house. As the players gather Luke composes himself to finish the match with another over the sticks 47 – 36 to the home side.
Well that was a full on fixture, high scoring and possibly a coaches rollercoaster definitely a lot of writing for someone who doesn’t record accurately. As I was reminded following the match this is still a very young and developing side, I regularly forget as they are club players plus I would love to know the average squad age at present. Playing at this level week in week out is a real achievement for all of the squad, highly completive and they are more than holding their own. We should also take certain Evans out of the calculation too as they tend to skew results. If the Red bull local club ladder is the future vision for North East rugby then get down at support that local talent developing across the BRUFC family at greenwood road. Our spirit is our strength.
No time this report for all on the love train, who has a timer?, requests from the walkers, Red Bull revolution, abstain for 48 hours, you are never a medium!, approached by DMP, favourite vest, the parts you can’t reach, Danno’s tipple of choice and professional amateurism.
“Rhythm is something that you either have or don’t have, but when you have it you have it all over.” – Elvis Presley.
An innocent bystander.