“Fresh” – Kool and the gang - 1984

I know it’s a little bit late but welcome to 2022, which seems a little “plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose” but we are where we are so let’s get on with it. The festive period is usually a time for merriment and catching up with friends and family, for better or worse. Recently however for many it has been interrupted by Vid, Rona, Nicron, gathering restrictions, ill health or solitude, so to catch up and share chat with friends is a great tonic. I am very much a creature of habit, when this is disturbed I struggle so it’s good to get back into the swing of things with hopefully the mind and body responding. I can report that the vintage gym brethren are in good form and I have viewed their gleaming equipment being waved in the air. The catch up and general banter in the refreshment area continues to be of the highest quality and very enjoyable.

New Year is generally a time for fresh starts or resolutions, the need for focus to get a quick start in the right direction. Not for me, my change adverse mindset is just to get back to some sort of normal and try to maintain a passable level. Just to reassure those of similar change adverse thinking that the no steak pie on a Thursday night rule remains in place and still no organized pooch weeding of the spilling and grandma in the match reports.

The first team continued their impressive form last run out in the first of the year but it’s a tough second half of the season in a highly competitive league so there’s no let up. Teams also know what to expect having already played once, set ups and style of play may be different so being switched on and adapting quickly is the name of the game. New club signings with familiar faces returning extends depth across the senior teams and the junior section continues to develop the future both on the pitch and off. Get on to the webpage to enjoy news, views and the odd match report or two. Win or learn can be settled by very fine margins and things can change quite quickly so its focus, focus and focus.

The early morning weather is cold with a mist on the Tees; Newport Bridge being shrouded as we make our way over the flyover for early morning coastal livener. It’s much clearer on the way back and there is the odd sunny interlude. I arrive at the club early having accounted for roadworks but then taking a detour via Fuji film to the bottom of Greenwood road. The club car park is emptying from the Ladies Premier 15 match but early signs of warm up are developing and various scoreboard related investigations are underway. The bar area is buzzing and much warmer than outside, having the AGP means no frozen pitch but the ambient temperature is “fresh” so many are wrapped in various Christmas layers including the BRUFC snood. I am fully Monty Don’d up and make my way to Brown’s mount which is a bit depleted due to Rona and the option of a warmer club house balcony, however the brave and the good soon appear to enliven proceedings. Budgie arrives with a cough but confirming he is negative but a safe distance is employed by most just in case.

Billingham in Green and White are out first to play towards Brown’s mount with Northwich in black with gold trim to kick off towards the club house. The man in the middle opts for yellow body with blue shoulders and black shorts in a very daring ensemble. A shrill blast of the whistle cuts through the icy air and we are off, Northwich put in a handy kick off and recover after a slight bobble. It’s moved quickly out to the wing then back inside as they warm up with a few phases. Billingham infringe at the breakdown and a quick tap see’s Northwich up the middle of the park and under the posts for the opening try. Its converted as Northwich jog back up the field with a spring in their step and many around the ground scratch their heads if they are brave enough to take their hats off, 0 – 7 to the visitors as quickly as that.

Billingham kick off and look to pin Northwich back well up the field, under pressure Northwich clear but it’s not to touch and Billingham probe one wing then switch to make good yardage. Good work from the forwards to provide quick ball, with Peter Evans releasing Luke Wilson on a cracking line and into space. Support runner Auth Jackson is on hand to run in the try which is duly converted for 7 – 7. With both teams getting rid of the doughnut early it’s warming up on the pitch but not on the mount.
Northwich kick longer and it’s secured but Billingham are penalised as Northwich get hands into the breakdown. Northwich opt to take a punt at goal which sails wide and is grounded for a drop out. Northwich set up for a clean take of the drop out kick, move the ball along the line and release the winger in space but the man in the middle adjudges forward pass, which we will see regularly through the match. We then get a couple of scrums in succession which indicates early home advantage, which develops during the match into quite a dominant platform. After another forward pass Billingham set up a steady scrum, a quick feed to Peter who chips into space, its bounces unkindly for Martin Hopley sprinting through but back into Jobe Roxby who takes within his stride then pops off an out the back pass collected by Hopley to bag the try. Jobe adds the extra’s for 14 – 7. At this point I opt to put my non writing hand back into a glove and Brownie match reporter/photographer/man of all trades has completion as another photographer rocks up with a slightly longer lens but it is cold.

Northwich kick long again which pins Billingham back but doesn’t allow a contested ball which set them up for the first score. The next passage of play is one of those arm wrestle periods where teams look to find a rhythm and stress the opponents into mistakes. Northwich attack every breakdown to slow or stop the release, Billingham are penalised several times and exchange words with the referee which he is having none of doubling the penalty. They do manage to find several moments of clear running but these are interrupted by knock on’s, losing the ball in the tackle and passes going behind players. Northwich lap up every missed opportunity as their hard work causing the Billingham issues but to be honest it’s a little bit them and a little bit us, still it all adds to the frustration. Billingham are in the ascendancy at the scrum and line out, with options via Dan Burns and Ben Walton plucking the ball cleanly out of the air and the scrum being careful to apply pressure without it all going pear shaped. As Billingham move up the pitch with a penalty to touch it’s all getting a bit ragged as Northwich disrupt, Burns takes cleanly and Billingham look to maul the ball forward. A small group splinters off the back as the maul rolls forward; Jacko on the floor is pinned as he chats to a Northwich player. The man in the middle tracks the maul as the off the ball scuffle continues then as play breaks down the scuffle escalates as players join to “defuse” the situation. A yellow for each team based on the aftermath rather than the original offence as the ref can’t have eyes in the back of his head despite popular opinion. Billingham stay camped in the Northwich 22 and after several penalties get a scrum 10 out in front of the posts. A well timed push see’s them over the line but the ball bobbles for a Northwich hand to touch down. The next scrum sees Northwich pushed back and pressured into making safe again, so scrum down same position. A more measured push this time allows Jacko at 8 to ground for the try, who else could it be? Jobe slots another and the home team move out to 21 – 7.

From the kick off Billingham secure, move the ball and then put boot to ball for a chase. It’s easily collected by Northwich who collect but are then pinged for not releasing so Billingham gain field advantage with a kick to touch. Jordan Foulds pops a line out ball accurately to a jumper and Billingham are off, Luke finds a gap and is up the pitch with the full back to beat. In a flurry of sidesteps he confuses the full back onto his knees, shimmying him into submission to then canter in for the try. Jobe adds the extra’s as Craig Revel-Horwood reaches for his 10 paddle, although the score board has frozen at 14 -7 the half ends at 28- 7.
Both teams stay out for the break as I break with tradition and head for the club house end as many of the mount regulars do, David H kindly offering the warmth of a coffee. Due to various discussions on the stand side the game resumes as I am en route and it’s not much warmer on the concourse as I pitch up but there is a slightly different array of comments from those around to color the second half.

Billingham kick long and Northwich struggle to get beyond the 22 so employ a big boot to lash it up the field. Looked like a good kick but it was out on the full and although the kick was form within the 22 Northwich had brought it back in, so it’s back for a good field position for Billingham. Lineout clean, Conner Foley connects with Peter who feeds Luke at pace to open the second half scoring which is added to by Jobe for 35 – 7.
Northwich kick off and Billingham knock on, but the respite is brief as Billingham dominate the scrum and get penalty advantage. It’s a series of loose play and intermittent penalties which finally see Billingham playing the ball midfield, Peter nudges a kick into the corner and Jordan chases well to pressure the cover into touch. From the line out Jordan collects a loose ball to go close right in the corner but sets up the forwards as Kerion Clark tunnels over to touch the whitewash. Jobe goes close from out wide and confusion reigns as score recorder has to switch from 7 times tables to add on 5, 40 -7 to the home side.
It looks like a long afternoon for Northwich as the kick offs going short to allow contest are going too short allowing Billingham to scrum halfway. The ball is being nudged through for runners or to then make Northwich play out, with the Billingham defence knocking back at every opportunity. The next score comes from a scrum 10 out, which is driven well over the try line with prostrations from the side that defensive feet were stepped on. As Northwich go backwards Anth grounds the ball and another wide kick goes close but not over for 45 -7.
Northwich switch the long kick off but Billingham secure cleanly and look to break out. Northwich counter and penalties are exchanged, Northwich move the ball along the line and get a couple of phases in before a loose pass is intercepted by Peter Youll, who is off down the side line. It’s a foot race which Peter Y seems to have sorted, his long locks flowing in the breeze but he passes the ball inside to Peter E to finish under the posts. Jobe gets back into the groove and the score, not the scoreboard moves to 52 – 7.

Northwich go back to long towards the score board into the waiting arms of Mike Walton who then puts in a lung bursting mazy run, sidesteps and rolls to end up stopped just short of the try line. Northwich survive but the attacks are coming in as Billingham switch it around. It all looks good until a flowing move ends with Josh Murray laid on the pitch with a nasty injury reaction from the nearest players tells its own story. This halts play as he is stretchered off, a sight that no one wants to see and we wish Josh well for his recovery. Play resumes with a scrum, Peter pops a kick over and Luke plucks from the air and places, the conversion is good as the touch judges flags are a halfhearted flick rather than a straight arm at 59 – 7.

The rest of the scoring develops as follows Northwich vary the kick off but its either long which sets up Billingham to attack or to short which results in a scrum halfway. Long kick off finds Mike Walton, Billingham work it inside and despite a Northwich hand they release Ben Walton up the line and with work to do he romps home with his trademark running style. Converted 66 -7.

Long kick off finds Mike Walton, Billingham work it through Jacko, Luke and Peter E with John Padley in support finishing. Converted 73- 7

Short kickoff returns to the middle for a scrum, a solid scrum allow Billingham a good platform to move the ball despite eager Northwich defence. Dan pops up on the wing for a little burst but it’s up the middle as Peter releases Mike for that well earned try. Converted for 80 -7.

Billingham secure the kick off but are pinged as the hold on as Northwich pressure the breakdown. Northwich enjoy some late pressure but an overlap is curtailed with a forward pass and it’s all a little ragged. The referee enjoys a few chats to players of both teams after frank views are exchanged but the game runs out of steam at the breakdown and time is called.

Firstly both teams looked battered and very cold at the end, despite the score line there was very few moments when it looked easy, both teams battled away right till the last whistle. I hope they enjoyed a hot shower and some good refreshment for their efforts. Good to see so many people and catch up, it was certainly good to freeze away the cobwebs.
No time this week for jazz gloves, floodlights on from the start, Gav’s highlights, Walton’s safe hands, Ritchie’s chip, are you still doing this?, the hottest showers in the North East, no Christmas pit spray, Touch judge banter and at least I know some of the names now.

“You don’t get results from focusing on results.
You get results by focusing on the actions that produce results.” – Mike Hawkins

An innocent bystander.

#OSIOS