Hartlepool B.B.O.B. RFC

The corresponding home fixture between the two clubs saw Brigade the victors with both teams scoring four tries each. Saturday's game followed a similar pattern with a dramatic closing climax. Jarrovians began the stronger, a series of forward drives pushing play into Brigade's 22 where a hesitant defence allowed a well executed three-quarter move to result in a try under the posts and the subsequent conversion. The pressure continued as Brigade struggled to find cohesion and Jarrovians moved further ahead with a try wide out after good work by the threes. However Brigade tightened up their defence with good work from Coverdale, Picknett and Walker and the forwards began to compete more effectively in both the tight and loose. Mark Craggs was held just short after charging runs from Starrs and Thornton had taken play up to the home line. The breakthrough came as Picknett exploited a gap created by his forwards to touch down under the posts and add the conversion.
H/T- 12-7
Brigade maintained their efforts after the restart, creating a series of attacks and defending effectively whenever Jarrovians ran the ball from deep. A forward scramble on the home line saw an opportunist Matty Thornton ground the ball but the unsighted referee was unforunately unable to award the try. With a quarter of the match remaining a solo effort by winger Shaune Howe took him past several defenders to equalise in the corner. As the game progressed it seemed that a single score might prove the winner and both sides were determined to achieve this as play swung from end to end, featuring some desperate defence. Brigade's forwards took up the challenge, driving play into centre midfield and with Dan Bird working hard at their heels kept up the progress into the home 22, where Picknett released a long pass out to Shaune Howe. The lively winger still had a bit to do but with BBOB veteran dad Mick cheering from the sideline, galloped in for what seemed to be the winning score despite the missed conversion. However Jarrovians had the final say in the outcome in two crucial ways. Keeping their composure after Brigade' score they exploited mistakes in the 22 to secure the ball and move it quickly for try at the right post. An anxious last play of the match for all present. An easy chance for home victory. Perhaps it was the 'Charge of the Boys Brigade' that made the distraught Jarrovian kicker send the ball past the left post or the muttered miss, miss etc from the sidelines, but the game was now concluded with feelings of both relief and disappointment. A good game, played in the best of spirit and a credit to both sides.
F/T- 17-17