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Sat 10 Dec 2011
Billingham 3TMBishop Auckland 2nds
Tries: N Gray, J Watson (2), M SixsmithConversions: P Donaldson (2)
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0
Billingham 3TM V Bishop Auckland 2nds 10/12/2011
Richard Morrison14 Dec 2011 - 14:02
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Cold , Strong winds , Another 2nd Team, But the 3Tm Keeps on rolling
Mid week and the club had a call from Bishop Auckland wanting to change the fixture. They had decided after the 3rd team had been on the wrong end of 140+ points over the previous 2 games that they wanted their 2nd team to have a crack at us, a team who are holding their own in the Merit league so we knew from the start they were going to be no pushovers.
Billingham kicked off and the Big Bishop forwards took the ball into contact, however if they thought they were going to overpower the home team defence they were soon proved wrong, strong tackling and excellent counter rucking soon saw the ball back in 3tm hands, despite the conditions quick hands through the full back line including the full back Conor Shea found the ball on the right wing with Richard Morrison who was tackled by 3 Bishop players on the 10 metre. Good recycling and again great rucking found quick ball back into open play, it was soon with Nick Gray directly infront of the posts at the 22. A typical strong leggy run saw Gray knocking off the tackles to score under the posts within the 1st 3 minutes, a score converted by Phil Donaldson.
This kicked the visitors into action somewhat but everything they threw was held off, including a period of sustained pressure within the Billingham 5 metre where continued hard tackling from both the forwards and backs eventually saw the Bishop player knock on and relieve the pressure on the try line.
The Billingham pack were totally dominant both in open play and also the line and the scrums where they never lost their own ball and constantly turned over against the head either through turning the scrum or simply forcing the opposition back, even when Bishop managed to hold the scrum there was Peter Childs breaking up the loose ball as it came out.
20 minutes into the 2nd half the Billingham power again told , after numerous phases from the forwards banging the ball up the field it was left for James Watson to pick up from the base of the ruck and race over to touch down for the 2nd score, the conversion hitting the upright from Donaldson but still managed to go over. More strong play but no further scores in the 1st half.
Half time Billingham 3tm 14 - 0 Bishop Auckland 2nds
For once there were few changes at half time as the 3tm didn't have the usual 20-25 players due to holidays, illness and injury and also a few players moving up to bolster the lions.
Bishop had started the 2nd half in a determined mood and good rucking and posession through phases saw them with an overlap on their left and the ball with the winger. As full back Shea was tracking across the Bishop winger inexplicably slid in from just inside the Billingham 5 metre without being challenged, whether he misjudged his position or thought his momentum in the conditions would take him over the slide brought him up short and was judged to have knocked on, a move worthy of any D*** of the day award however it was a let off for the home team and a kick up the pants.
After that though there was no looking back , the forwards continuing with their complete dominance with the likes of Phil Kelsey, Phil Hall, Mick Sudron and as always Nigel Guz knocking back the tacklers. 15 minutes into the 2nd half the pressure again told, Gray was tackled wide on the right and Morrison cleared out the ruck allowing Watson again to pick up clean ball from the base of the ruck and race over virtually unchallenged from just inside the 22, conversion this time missed in the strong winds.
Both teams were now tiring due to the mud, wind and the all out effort which had been put in but there was still time for a final score. Once again it was set up by strong forward play driving to within a couple of metres of the line to the left of the posts, as the defenders had been drawn in the ball was shipped out to the backs by the Impressive Peter Childs at scrum half and a slick move found the ball with Mikey Sixsmith spinning over the line and slamming the ball down, conversion again missed against the wind.
Final score Billingham 3tm 24 - Bishop Auckland 2nds 0
Man of the match Peter childs for his quick ball, quick thinking and generally making a nuisance of himself for the full 80 minutes.
The after game antics will remain with those who attended as per tour rules, what happens in 3tm stays in 3tm but I think it's fair to say the spirit is well and truly alive
Billingham kicked off and the Big Bishop forwards took the ball into contact, however if they thought they were going to overpower the home team defence they were soon proved wrong, strong tackling and excellent counter rucking soon saw the ball back in 3tm hands, despite the conditions quick hands through the full back line including the full back Conor Shea found the ball on the right wing with Richard Morrison who was tackled by 3 Bishop players on the 10 metre. Good recycling and again great rucking found quick ball back into open play, it was soon with Nick Gray directly infront of the posts at the 22. A typical strong leggy run saw Gray knocking off the tackles to score under the posts within the 1st 3 minutes, a score converted by Phil Donaldson.
This kicked the visitors into action somewhat but everything they threw was held off, including a period of sustained pressure within the Billingham 5 metre where continued hard tackling from both the forwards and backs eventually saw the Bishop player knock on and relieve the pressure on the try line.
The Billingham pack were totally dominant both in open play and also the line and the scrums where they never lost their own ball and constantly turned over against the head either through turning the scrum or simply forcing the opposition back, even when Bishop managed to hold the scrum there was Peter Childs breaking up the loose ball as it came out.
20 minutes into the 2nd half the Billingham power again told , after numerous phases from the forwards banging the ball up the field it was left for James Watson to pick up from the base of the ruck and race over to touch down for the 2nd score, the conversion hitting the upright from Donaldson but still managed to go over. More strong play but no further scores in the 1st half.
Half time Billingham 3tm 14 - 0 Bishop Auckland 2nds
For once there were few changes at half time as the 3tm didn't have the usual 20-25 players due to holidays, illness and injury and also a few players moving up to bolster the lions.
Bishop had started the 2nd half in a determined mood and good rucking and posession through phases saw them with an overlap on their left and the ball with the winger. As full back Shea was tracking across the Bishop winger inexplicably slid in from just inside the Billingham 5 metre without being challenged, whether he misjudged his position or thought his momentum in the conditions would take him over the slide brought him up short and was judged to have knocked on, a move worthy of any D*** of the day award however it was a let off for the home team and a kick up the pants.
After that though there was no looking back , the forwards continuing with their complete dominance with the likes of Phil Kelsey, Phil Hall, Mick Sudron and as always Nigel Guz knocking back the tacklers. 15 minutes into the 2nd half the pressure again told, Gray was tackled wide on the right and Morrison cleared out the ruck allowing Watson again to pick up clean ball from the base of the ruck and race over virtually unchallenged from just inside the 22, conversion this time missed in the strong winds.
Both teams were now tiring due to the mud, wind and the all out effort which had been put in but there was still time for a final score. Once again it was set up by strong forward play driving to within a couple of metres of the line to the left of the posts, as the defenders had been drawn in the ball was shipped out to the backs by the Impressive Peter Childs at scrum half and a slick move found the ball with Mikey Sixsmith spinning over the line and slamming the ball down, conversion again missed against the wind.
Final score Billingham 3tm 24 - Bishop Auckland 2nds 0
Man of the match Peter childs for his quick ball, quick thinking and generally making a nuisance of himself for the full 80 minutes.
The after game antics will remain with those who attended as per tour rules, what happens in 3tm stays in 3tm but I think it's fair to say the spirit is well and truly alive
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