Back at the Helm… Whiteline returns

Hartlepool V Billingham Thirds
A very late re arranged fixture proved to be a very physical test for 3TM. With several players rested, some returning from injury, a couple of our university bods and players coming to Billingham to play from different clubs the Thirds looked a lot different from last week. We welcomed McGravey and Robson into the pack from Boro, two lads who only want to play rugby for Billingham and that’s a great ambition. Massey must have wanted to impress the players he brought over as he ran at the opposition with kKirby who also has brought in a couple of backs in the form of Martin and Holmes. Hartlepool looked a very big and what proved to be a very physical side started by trying to bully our lads out of the game. Elgie, on nine minutes broke clear and Simpson coming in from his wing and running a sweet line took an inside ball to score under the posts. Pool came back with a penalty for what was adjudged a dangerous tackle.
Then after twenty five minutes the home side went into the lead with a try following a defensive slip on a very greasy pitch. Beware of wounded animal comes to mind as 3TM bench and management screamed instruction to the players. Elgie again ran through and set up a maul, Guz at the back took the ball and bulldozed through yet again on the half hour. Simpson might have increased the score when he fly hacked through from broken play but a greasy ball slipped from his grasp when he had more time than he thought and a shout from supporting players might have helped. Always prepared to improve Lee asked later how he should have dealt with it and that is the great attitude of our young players and a testimony to the coaching at junior level.
Half time Hartlepool 8 – 3TM 14
Sudron rang the changes swapping one destroyer for another
bringing on Surtees for Kelsey, Morrison for Simpson and giving Watson and Woodhouse a run to test their fitness following injuries. The trusty Ben boot increased the lead with a well struck penalty as the physicality of the game increased with Guz being singled out for some rough stuff (I think someone must have told them about Phil Hall last week so they avoided him) Positional changes took place putting the experience of Woody behind the scrum, the mercurial running of Donaldson at full back and the direct lines of Elgie into the centre. Like a team possessed the ball flashed out to Sixsmith who jinked his way over to score. Sudron decided to test out that nasty injury by replacing Scott Thompson who had won countless ball by often falling on loose stuff at the front of the line and Mallam was replaced by Canham. Phase after phase saw Billingham move up the park toards the opposition half then Martin broke clear to score under the posts. Billingham’s final score came as Elgie with a perfectly weighted kick through from half way chased it down to score in the corner. Right on full time the home side troubled the scorer when a missed tackle out wide gave them an easy run in. This was a very physical game and gave the manager a chance to look at players for the cup game next week and players to test their fitness. All support welcome see the 3TM face book site or the club site for details.
Half time Hartlepool 13 – 3TM 36
Scorers Tries:- Simpson 1, Guz 1, Sixsmith 1, Martin 1, Elgie 1.
Kicks :- Elgie Conversions 4, Penalties 1.
83.3 % Rate Now that’s good (Five out of six Ben!)
Comments Andy Smith is the guy with the camera, Morrison only played one position this week (Less of the "Old man"from you Richie, Phil Hall has a straight nose, all players came through well and Bri Dunning is probably out for the rest of the season. Another W for 3TM