Given the start we had to the season it is somewhat surprising, but very welcome, that the Heughers appear to have moved to 2nd in the Candy League table just behind West Stags, albeit with a game or two played more than rivals.

The lead up to the game on Saturday was the usual topsy turvy occasion with players crying on and crying off, running late and not turning up etc. Chris Sainty turned up but announced that he needed to go home to see to an oozing flange (ooer missus) and we never saw him again. We did welcome 4 players for the first time this season though with Col Watson the ex Horden, Rovers, Horden, back to Rovers, then Horden again forward turning out for us once more in the pack. In the backs Chirpy managed not to sleep in, Chris Sewell returned and brought his bigger league mate Dean Townend. Dean had never played union but after some 'peer pressure' was persuaded to go and get his boots.

We started off terribly with Stockton running back a missed kick to touch and scoring an unconverted try in the corner. Good work from Pinky and Dean created space for Chris Sewell to go over. Col Watson's one and only attempt at a conversion fell short. We then went into the lead with Dean again making the break that allowed Ste Railton to go over. Dean converted to put us 12-5 ahead. Stockton levelled the scores again with a converted try after we were guilty of buying too many dummies. After an attacking lineout skipper Mark Power went over out wide. Then Dean backed a break by Pimky and went over for a try that he converted himself to put us 24-12 ahead. After pulling a few strings at fly half Pinky had also pulled his hamstring and went off to be replaced by Kev Stevo. 'Indestructible' Kev lasted a few minutes before limping off with a poorly leg and versatile Rob Hilton went into the backs. Rob had more running about to do than anticipated as Ste Railton was yellow carded for a high tackle. An appropriate punishment for a high tackle you might think except it was Chris Sewell wot done it! On the stroke of half time Chris Sewell took a quick penalty and went over for his second try.

HT Heughers 29 - 12 Stockton Saracens

Desspite being a man down we started the 2nd half like a steam train. Tony Ross took our kick off at full speed and plowed into the Stockton defenders. We recylced the ball several times before Matty Lidster finished off the final drive under the posts. The conversion put us 36 - 12 up but Stockton charged down a relieving kick and pulled the score back to 36 -17. Then came perhaps the most contentious momemt of the game - for both sides. Ryan Clayton tackled a Stockton attacker, 'something' happened when both players were on the floor and Ryan was observed by the ref to punch the Stockton lad who punched Ryan back. In the meantime Stockton had scored. The ref brought play back to the incident and, I think this is what happened, red carded Ryan for the first punch that he saw, yellow carded the Stockton player for retaliation, disallowed the try and gave us a penalty for the retaliation. Slightly puzzling but we are not complaining at all about the ref. He had a good game and was of a higher standard than the players! At first it didn't seem to make much difference to us. Ste Railton hacked the ball on and it bounced up nicely for him to over for a converted try. We were 43-17 up with about 20 minutes to play and despite being a man down were still pushing Stockton in the scrums. Gradually though a combination of Stockton being at full strength numbers wise, injuries to key Rovers personnel and our players generally being knackered led to Stockton being on top. They clawed back 3 tries to bring them to within 5 points at 43-38 with 7 minutes remaining. With the aid of AJ who had come on for Dean and was our 5th planned or actual stand off of the day and some frantic defence we did hold on for another narrow win.

FT Heughers 43 - 38 Stockton Saracens

For the second week in a row we had a high scoring game where we did enough to come out on top. We have showed we can score tries and if we could be just that bit better in defence it would make watching a bit less nervous! Well done to all who played. Some people looked out on their feet but kept going. Ste Railton was back in try scoring form with a brace as was Chris Sewell. Dean Townend looked a class act in his first union game despite a lack of match fitness. We hope he will be available regularly. Well done to young Tom Carter who played nearly a full game until some big boys stood on him. I was most impressed with Rob Hilton though. He played 4 positions in the game I think - 3 of them in the backs where he doesn't normally play. He never moans, just gets on with it and always gives his best. Well done Rob.

Squad

S Railton, A Stephenson, K Stephenson, Sewell, Townend, Carter, Pinky, AJ, Chirpy, R Claytom, L Clayton, Hilton, Cooper, Ross, Lloyd, Power (c), Healey, Watson, Lidster, Taylor

Next week we are AWAY at Barnard Castle. KO still 3pm