Gone “Away” With The Wind

Another trip away to a very windy Guisborough school pitch, that if you looked at our past playing style would not suit our type of play – a narrow pitch with a very steep gradient. Captain Rob Hardy lost the toss and so we would be playing uphill and into the wind, which with discussions from the remainder of the coaching staff was what we wanted.
Even though playing uphill the lads dominated the scrums from the start with Tomas Nicholson winning many against the head and therefore laid a great platform for the backs to push further towards the Guisborough try line.
The home team only really threatened the Mowden line after indiscipline led to a few penalties in succession saw them go close but great tackling kept them at bay.
Unfortunately the wind and some cold hands let the backs down a bit so it was the forwards who led the charge to cross the line with a great try from George Spink.
With the second half downhill the team took control and with Matthew Chapman back in the number nine jersey he went on one of his legendary darting runs which culminated in a great try.
A few replacements allowed Adam Brown onto the pitch where he showed his power picking up from the base of the scrum and charging down the pitch to score a super try. Not only is he capable of breaking tackles he stays on his feet and looks for the offload if more than three of the opposition are on his back!
The Guisborough scrum had an injury and no replacements therefore uncontested were the end result which hindered our team not allowing to steal their ball. When the lads got chance it was Brown again who crossed the line after a great run through some now tiring opposition.
Coming on late in the game but still showing how much of an asset he is to the team, Rory Anderson punished some sloppy tackling, virtually running over the first and then brushing aside another two allowing him to stretch his legs and score under the posts.
Captain Rob Hardy had a fine game, leading by example in the tight winning some excellent clean ball for the backs.
A final try by Jimbo Robinson saw off Guisborough who battled well against the travelling side. Two conversions by Robinson added to the scoreboard before we packed up and went to the nearby clubhouse for some much needed refreshment and amazing pasta.
Our next game is within the confines of the Darlington Borough (at last) but unfortunately not at the Arena, against Acklam in the County Cup and after this performance it’s going to be difficult for the coaching staff to pick the required squad of 22 players.

In summary it was probably our best all round performance with every squad member adding to the performance.

Cheers, Rowan