In a week where Christmas trees of various colours are now available in the garden centre winter wonderlands the green and White return home after a “learning” experience away at Chester. I can also confirm the different groups of Saturday nighters’ also made it back some quicker than others plus I have it on good authority there was dancing in the street at various times.
Not being one to shirk the difficult questions it seems a very good time to approach the question of “where am I supposed to stand” given the positioning of various headset wearing coaches around the ground to pass on various information. So the RFU confirms that coaching staff should be confined to technical area’s or dugouts or remain outside the pitch side barriers so beyond the white fencing as the game progresses is fine and of course they can answer those “can I book a taxi” calls at the same time, job done.
It’s a bright and sunny October day as I wander down to the club, unlike many of the faithful I do not take up the option of the Q&A in the club house but feedback confirmed it was entertaining and very informative. I get to the mount early as the teams warm up; despite the light breeze many of the 4 legged supporters are either dozing or rolling in the sun. Otley look to have good numbers and warm up nosily on the AGP, third team stretch on the side pitch ready for their league encounter, there really is a spread of weekend action at BRUFC to follow. The teams jog in for last minute tweak and info as Ray wanders the line picking up various forgotten attire, if you see him in an Otley training ensemble you know why.
Otley are out first mainly black with white hoops on the top, Green and White as usual then officials in pink. The mount faithful start to gather, too late for the waves from the dugout and Otley coaches arrive to enjoy the sun, pick up on marsh house. Its Otley to get us under way towards the club house and away from the mount in the first half, hard to judge the breeze as the flags do want to commit. Game on.
Kickoff is returned quite swiftly up field but the first period is mainly Otley in the Billingham half, looks like the forward runners are going to see some work as the 9 brings them in across the park. Billingham look to contain and target the runners, there’s a couple of clatters in the congested middle and then knocked on for the first scrum. Its reset as the packs get comfortable, Otley feed to a steady scrum then test the stand side so back across the pitch, arm up high tackle. It’s into the corner for Otley to set up the line out, it’s taken towards the back as they set up, its moved across the pitch and Billingham hold it up over the whitewash. It’s a drop out which allows Otley to collect and set up, moving the ball its dropped, Billingham look to capitalise as Jamie Lane looks for options but it’s a hack up the line that bobbles into touch. Line out secured Otley go back to sending the runners in and Billingham go back to defensive duties, Harry Rickard alert to snuff out a potential brake. Arm is up again in the middle and Otley have a re-run into the corner, options at the line out and this one is a peel which goes close but must have been knocked on. Scrum steady and Billingham play the ball from the try area in front of the club house, kick pass to the dugout side collected as its goes back to try and find the open man. It speeds up as Charlie Evans sees a gap and he’s off, could be a length of the pitch as Otley cover and the ball goes forward despite the indication of a high tackle to stop a clean pass to a motoring Jamie. Tidy scrum by Otley, pick and then break out quickly, arm up for a high tackle allows the kick downfield. From the line out Otley look to move it about a bit more and up the pace, Billingham cover but get pinged as the penalties mount up and Otley finally find the gap out wide. Unconverted, the visitors get points on the board after a sustained opening period mainly in the Billingham half. 0 – 5.
Billingham restart, Otley collect and box kick to exit, it’s as Billingham switch to the stand side, looks to be lost at the breakdown but then knocked on. Scrum and the man in the middle indicate that it’s a Billingham feed which allows Anth Jackson to pick and go, knock on. Otley look to build on the platform and move the ball to the dugout side, winger can’t handle the pass and Billingham tidy up, it’s a bit lateral so the man in the middle comes back for the scrum. Billingham look up the middle as Luke Wilson crashes into congestion, ball retained Harry R pops up and carves a gap, Jamie as support brings in Joe Browell with a strong run. Billingham set up across with a strong carry from Cevens, clear out makes the ball available and Ben Hyndman goes in from close. Good team work from the home team to set up the chance then convert efficiently as Luke adds the extra’s the mount coaching team direct the Otley team. 7 – 5.
It’s a high one from Otley which allows a good chase, Billingham collect under pressure and move it wide stand side, Jacko into the line at pace with men over but Otley cover. Ben H grafting round the breakdown on a burst, high tackle arm up. Into the corner as Billingham set up for another punt, clean take and Billingham have several tries to break the Otley defensive line but it holds firm. Eventually Billingham knock on under pressure but it’s an Otley scrum deep and it’s going nowhere, ball out and Cevans tackle give minimal gain, the ball rolls over the Otley leg and Jamie looks to pinch. Arm up, not sure why as the ball was on top of the leg not under so out and playable. As so often happens this allows Otley to exit and release the pressure, line out is collected at the back then an outside inside forwards play crates a gap up the middle and Billingham are forced to back pedal. Looks like they have contained it but arm up and yellow for the home team, it’s down to 14 and a re-jig for the scrum possibly a potential shove for Otley. Ball out of a steady scrum, 9 looks left then sidesteps right pass across and in but looks like it’s dropped even by our coaching colleagues. Try given and converted, uncle Mo switches to Otley 7 – 12.
Billingham kick off and it goes straight out so back for the scrum halfway, Otley looking to get as much advantage out of the extra man as possible. Out from the scrum and Otley send a tricky bobble kick down the dugout side, tricky to keep in it rolls into touch for the 50:22. Otley line out is another combination catch then pop pass to change the angle, they force the issue and Billingham are pinged several times before the try is finalised under the posts. Otley stroke over the conversation at the club house end to signal half time 7 -19, both teams jog in for the de-brief.
The mount faithful depart for refreshment, because the action will be at the far end and in the case of Richie (no T) collection of raffle winnings. I am joined by Stu as a suitable “finisher” on the bench as we muse what the half time talk will be, I expect it may be hair dryer, hand dryer and air fryer. Having enjoyed various trips with Scott and Moriarty in the distant past they always highlighted the ability to bounce back, “bouncebackability”, what has happened has happened now focus on the present. Very wise words plus regular sponsor Scott patterned concrete now sponsors the outside drink containers. Of course they seem to be slightly heavier than before but please remember to hand them to the bar area to support the injured players benevolent fund.
Second half beckons with the Green and whites kicking off towards the club house, all in the balance as questions for both teams. Otley box kick up field, Billingham retrieve look to move quickly arm up Otley not rolling away. Kick into the corner and Billingham secure, the forwards wanting the ball with Cevans looking to keep the try run going as Otley counter. It’s a chip over to chase to break the deadlock, Otley first to the ball and no frills hoof it up into touch but a good position for the home side. Line out looks a bit scrappy but its due to some interference, tap taken quickly pass to HR (not human resources) who with some deft footwork gets into space, supporting runner Jaime takes it in, it’s a post ringer and out for Luke but the home side narrow the gap 12 – 19.
Otley kick off as Joe Evans collects and Billingham look to stretch the defence before it can get set but the tackles come in forcing Billingham backwards. It’s a nudge through and a chase, man in the middle has seen something, no advantage so back for a scrum. Otley go early so its tap and away quick, Billingham move the ball about but it’s into traffic so it’s pop it over the wall and chase. Rather than catch its hacked forward by Billingham as both sides consider the best time to retrieve the bobbling egg. It’s Otley who take the plunge then knock on, scrum time advantageous for Billingham. Pick and go from Jacko as the forwards sniff a chance, successive penalties from Otley and the man in the middle has had enough as yellow is out. One man has the ball and he’s not letting go, Jacko uses the bowling ball method to break the line, unconverted the home team chip away 17 – 19.
Billingham look to the dugout as changes are made, Otley kick off and Matty White collects under pressure, Kieran Clarke adding the hard yards, kicks are exchanged with Elliott Husband sending it over the stand roof from deep. Otley line out still doing the trick as the ball is moved wide but dropped, scrum feed Billingham. It’s a steady one allowing a controlled move across the pitch, HR with a burst out wide committing the defence. Matty pops up again with a carry, top graft from the forwards to make the ball available and Joe Syson is fizzing ball around. The combination of passes and runners is stretching the 14 man Otley, long pass out to Louie Groark and he’s in. A belter from Luke as the home side nudge ahead 24 – 19, flipping heck not willing to say what a turnaround just yet.
Otley kick off, looks like its collected but it’s a bobble Otley pounce and move it across the pitch as Billingham contain. As Otley get into that regular rhythm we saw in the first half the ball is ripped out. Billingham are quick to counter looking for width, although it’s a kick down the line and into touch to settle things down this time. Otley secure and send the runners in but again ball goes loose in traffic and the Billingham forwards look to cash in. Jacko again with strong running, then a Luke blast as Billingham present the ball. Syson to Peter Evans who chips a delicate ball which bounces into the arms of HR at pace, no break in stride for a well deserved try, converted by Luke the home team get the 4 tries at 31 -19.
Joe Evans up for the next kick off, Harry Beadling round the corner as Otley get too eager and the arm goes up. Line out is a bit scrappy as it goes long, fly hack through and Otley cover to boot it up field. Billingham set up again, Ben H on the front foot as the forwards look for gaps high tackle. Billingham go to the corner and have two goes, the first ends with a loose pass allowing Otley to exit. The second sees HR on the burst, Billingham recycle as the phase across the pitch, 9 snipe, pick and go from the breakdown then out to HR to finish. A brace from the young winger/full back as Luke pops the 2 to move the home team on to 38 -19. Is it enough?
Matty collects the next kick off, two phases form Billingham and Otley are in over the ball. It’s into the corner, line out sees back to basics catch and drive, looks to have broken down but Otley keep it alive and moving. Penalty try plus yellow for Billingham for side entry and collapse, its Otley now with the urgency, 2 tries in 12 minutes with a man up doable, 38-26.
Billingham kick off, Otley return with box kick so Billingham play keep the ball to run the time away, arm up Otley offside. Kick to touch and the line out gives Billingham a chance but it knocked on close. Scrum goes down, Billingham blamed Otley move up the pitch and from the bobbled line out continue to make progress up the pitch. It’s probably not as quick as they would like but regular gains until a runner is allowed room and evades several tackles. Billingham look to cover and slow down leading to a off the ball scuffle well beyond the breakdown, man in the middle has a word and it’s a scrum to Otley. Pick from the back of the scrum as the backs line up it’s an uncontested run in to get the try. Oh missed conversion 38 – 31, try would tie it up and time to re-start.
Billingham kick off, Otley collect and take it into contact, ball pops out of the breakdown dug out side, Groark with the scoop up and like a steamer on old wallpaper he’s off up the line. As the club house cheers the flyer home, he bags the final try for the game to seal the deal. Unconverted the match finishes on 43 – 31 to the home side.
Another cracker at greenwood road in this challenging National 2 season, Otley bag a bonus point but the home side get a full monty but not really confirmed until the final whistle. It’s still early doors but everyone is aware that it’s going to be tight, there may be some front runners due to the semi-professional ability for some squads, but it’s really competitive across the rest. Hopefully the squad can continue to develop and build within this exciting team environment, it’s not an easy ride but who would want that?
No time this report for the CH interview method, do you get back?, M62 car park, website down, I repeat website down, wandering coaching staff, are you a half full sort of guy, no gym tunes, Marty’s message, effort is free of charge and mixing with the hoi polli.
“"Momentum is a fragile thing. It's hard to get, it's easy to lose, and it's impossible to ignore."
Anon
An innocent bystander.