Billingham 3TM
Matches
Sat 28 Jan 2012
Billingham Rugby Club
Billingham 3TM
Tries: L Simpson (2), B Elgie (2), P Donaldson (2), J WatsonConversions: B Elgie (4)
48
14
Darlington
3TM come through against a tough Darlington outfit

3TM come through against a tough Darlington outfit

Richard Morrison28 Jan 2012 - 19:19
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The return leg of a close game earlier in the season and as expected it was far from easy

Shortly before the game was due to start the 3TM home match was again transferred across to campus school to help save the Greenwood road pitches after recent heavy rain.
Again on arrival we found the school pitches in pefect playing condition and with the clear skies and not a breath of wind it was perfect conditions.
The opposition had arrived obviously up for this one as the previous encounter was only won courtesy of the conversion as each team had only crossed the whiteline once and they certainly had brought a big looking set of forwards.
The game kicked off and as expected the early exchanges were very even, with both teams having an abundence of size and power.
The first break came from a long clearing kick from Darlington, the ball was caught cleanly on the halfway by full back Robbie Brumpton, finding himself in space the young speedster went at pace to the outside of the defence and touching down for a superb individual try which was converted from wide by Elgie.
After the restart the confrontations were again very even, neither team giving an inch with Nick Grey and Marc Massey working well together in the powerhouse and the back row of Phil Kelsey, Watson and Anth Kelsey hammering away at their opposites giving them no time to settle with the ball.
After more strong forward play a ruck had been formed 5 metres out, from here Lee Simpson came in from his wing, hitting a great line from a short pop and crashing through to score under the posts, again converted by Elgie.
Shortly after the restart the 3TM found the ball in hands through the backline moving at speed and a perfectly timed pass from Elgie sent Lee Simpson clear to race over for his second of the game.
This was to be the last score of the first half as great defence by Darlington and a couple of handling errors stopped any more additions.
Half Time Billingham 3TM 19 - 0 Darlington Crusaders
At half time Darlington brought on a whole new front row to apply further pressure.
The second half started much as the 1st had finished with numerous errors and great defence meant the 3TM couldnt get into their stride. It was close to 15 minutes before they got going but the score was a great move through the backs. The ball was shipped through hands where it was with Richard Morrison on the left wing, Just as he was about to be caught he slipped the ball back inside to the onrushing Ben Elgie who brushed aside the last tackle to go clear and score, converted by himself.
This signalled a short opening of the floodgates as two further tries were scored firstly by scrum half, Phil Donaldson who alongside Bri Dunning at 10 are forming an almost telepathic understanding and a formidable half back pairing.
The second of the 2 tries was through Elgie getting his second after another great break and jinking run from Donaldson.
After this 3TM seemed to switch off and when Darlington were awarded a penalty on the 22 the defence seemed to be wandering around with their backs to the ball, this allowed Darlington to crash through and get their 1st converted score.
They say an animal is at it's most dangerous when wounded and this would appear to be the case here, Donaldson chasing through onto a wayward pass and running the ball though to score from his 22 yard line with Elgie again converting from infront of the posts.
The best was saved to last, straight from the kick off as the ball was taken cleanly by James Watson who then went on a rampage, handing off would be tacklers and changing running lines he went straight through the whole Darlington team to score a truly outstanding individual try.
3TM were not to have it all their own way though as the final score wen to the visitors, they secured good ball wide on their left and formed a rolling maul, this was controlled for a good couple of minutes and finally forced their way over to score which was converted off the upright.
At the final whistle both teams were full of respect for each other as the game itself was much closer than the scoreline suggested and full respect goes to Darlington as they battled hard for the full 80 minutes
Final score Billingham 3TM 48 - 14 Darlington Crusaders
Man of the match Bri Dunning for an outstanding controlling Display

Match details

Match date

Sat 28 Jan 2012

Kickoff

14:15
Team overview
Further reading

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Club Sponsor - Sandmartin Financial Advisers