BILLINGHAM RUFC 3TM V NORTHALLERTON 2nds

BILLINGHAM RUFC 3TM V NORTHALLERTON 2nds
The wind and rain had stopped as 3TM scratted around to try to get 15 players with traffic problems and work commitments making late arrivals. The lions were eventually let Jordan Potts play for “ten minutes” at nine. Richie Morrison had to go into the power house as the game started on time. North went ahead after eight minutes but 3TM could have pulled back when an overlap from Simpson went begging with a misplaced pass went into touch. With only a quarter of the game gone the visitors were seventeen points clear as Morrison and Hutch (sounds like a sixties detective series) discussed the changes. Team captain Anth Kelsey was switched to centre to plug a hole with ferocious tackles and Thompson moved to back row. Watson opened the account for Billingham with a well worked drive over in the corner following a great break from Churlish. On the half hour Woodhouse playing at ten left the field injured following a tackle. Allerton added to their total almost straight after as the Lions pulled Potts off to stand on their touchline Woodhouse returning to prevent going down to fourteen men with the other pitch having six on the bench. On the death of the first half Billingham drove up the park with some good driving play form Guz playing despite not being 100% winning a penalty when the visitors yet again handled on the floor when maybe a yellow should have been shown. Surtees took the ball and with a trademark drive running alost horizontal to score with Woodhouse slotting the conversion.
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The second half started with Watson catching the kick off deep in his own half. Only one way to go running straight at the opposition he crossed the halfway bulldozing players over and sprinting in to score in the corner. With eight minutes gone Billingham saw the return to the field for “Thumper” Daniels replacing Sixsmith who had a torrid time dealing with a huge opposition centre pairing. Canham was at nine trying to create time and space and Child had moved to the front row as the scrums were wheeling around. North went further ahead with ten minutes gone as Billingham’s back three of Sando, Simpson and Robinson saw very little of the ball. Sixsmith had to return to the game following another injury and Child limped off with John returning to the fray. Billingham were pushed back but great rucking work from both Surtees saw the ball overturned. A loud call sw the ball spun out but a Northallerton “lazy runner” was in the way (and maybe should have been pinged) to intercept and score. Coggy and Guz had to retire with Woodhouse and Morrison going back on the former at nine and the latter in the front row. A hard fought game with a gutsy performance from all of the players playing out of position, switching positions, returning to play injured, no arguments when some dubious decisions went against them. Well done boys, the spirit was definitely on show today. Even Donaldson who had volunteered to be water boy just to be involved was looking to come on despite an appendix operation earlier in the week.
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Scorers Tries Watson 2, Surtees 1, Kicks Woodhouse1 Conversion. mom Churlish
Reporters comment. Amazing how few penalties were awarded MMM and as to number of available players MMMMM Deleted comments Sorry guys but do not wish to interfere where I have no right.As requested I spoke to the Chairman after the game and as he quite rightly said "the guys running the teams must sort it themselves." Thanks