After last Saturday's feast of players it was back to a famine this week. In particular we were badly affected in the backs with no less than 6 of those who played in the three quarters last week not being available. We ended up with the bare 15 players which included James Coxon who had never played a game before. On the positive side we welcomed back former first XV captains Mark Power and Francis Ian Coulson for their first runs out of the season. We were also fortunate to have the services of Danny Baxter who had gained some relief from a nasty irritation called 'living in Yorkshire'.

Durham City didn't have a front row and the game had uncontested scrums throughout. One of our possible props was Josh Healey but he was 17 years and 364 days old yesterday so was kept out of the coal face. City were kind enough to lend us a couple of wingers to cover our shortages in the backs. One was a 50 year old forward and the other was an Australian Catweazle look alike but they got stuck in and we were grateful. City started off well and it looked like we were in for a hiding when early on they created an overlap and simply moved the ball along the line to score in the corner. However we started getting some possession, worked our way upfield and Frankie crashed over after good forward pressure. Neither try had been converted so the score was 5-5. City then scored again and converted to lead 12-5 but we repeated the previous try with Frankie once more going over after the pack had softened up the City defence. 12-12. Then Alex Rochester skipped through the City back line after an attacking lineout. We led 19-12 and had a bit more confidence. Unfortunately we then conceded a poor try but still led 19-17 as the City conversion was missed.

HT City 17 - 19 Heughers

Score wise that was as good as it got for us. Despite having some good possession ourselves and being held up a few times on the line the second half belonged to City who scored 3 tries as we ran out of options and oxygen. We weren't helped by injuries which necessitated some, ahem, unusual positional switches such as Power at scrum half and Rob Hilton at full back. Not as bad as it sounds actually.

FT City 36 - 19 Heughers

As ever there were some positives to take from the game. James Coxon had a good debut. He ran hard and tackled well. He is a big fit lad and should do well once he gets to grips with the game. Rob Hilton, Brad Harrington and James Dixon had their best games so far for Rovers. Rob was maybe our most mobile forward (not hard mind) and tidied up a lot of loose ball. He did OK at full back as well ! Brad made some lovely slaloming runs and was playing well until his lungs collapsed. With Frankie inside mentoring him James Dixon showed up well at centre with some strong running and defending. Alex and Frankie took their tries well. On the other hand while we are increasing the numbers of players to select from actually getting everyone to turn up on the same Saturday, particularly for away games, is more problematical than it really should be if we aspire to compete in this Candy League.

Next week we are HOME to Bishop Auckland 2nds so that should help. Already we know of more players to select from as they are returning to Rovers, coming back from injury or just are available. Good. Josh Healey is 18 today and we wish him Happy Birthday on this auspicious day when he is finally able to take part in senior rugby front row play. And have his head shoved up his arse. :-)

A curiousity of the Candy League is that because City couldn't field a front row from the start we get 4 points for a 'win' plus 3 for each try we scored.

Squad

JPR Harrington, Catweazle, J Dixon, Frankie, Coxon/City lad, M Barnfield, Rochester, L Clayton, Hilton, Lloyd, Baxter, Healy, Lidster, S Saunders (c), Power