We had an 'interesting' build up to this game with 6 cry offs on Saturday morning. One of whom had declared himself available while drunk the night before only to cry off when sober and another who was persuaded to seek alternative chid care arrangements and play. Plus we had 1 no show. On the other hand we had the unexpected rarity of 5 different players crying on. Tony Ross brought his kit but in the excitement of being asked to get in a car to go to Horden left it at the club and had to borrow replacements. Somehow I don't think Stuart Lancaster faces these particular challenges.

Horden 2nds didn't look quite as large as previous sides but they were certainly bigger than our team especially as ex Rovers and Horden first XV captain Thubby, somewhat unfortunately for us, was playing his first game of the season. Not unexpectedly Horden started by dominating up front. They won scrum and lineout ball and from the latter drove forward and made ground regularly. It was no surprise when from an attacking lineout their forwards mauled the ball over the line for an unconverted try. Following further forward pressure they sucked in all the Rovers defenders until they only needed to release their winger to go over out wide untouched. Again the conversion was missed. Next though Horden won a penalty under the posts that was converted to give them a 13-0 lead after about 20 mins. At this stage it looked as if the Heughers could be in line for a large defeat but second team supremo Scott Buttery made some changes and this seemed to stabilise the situation. We could have reduced the arrears when a forward, who shall remain anonymous, picked up at a ruck and drove over the whitewash only to realise that it was the 5 metre line and not the try line. Ah well. There were no further scores and at half time Horden still led 13-0.

With the advantage of the bank Rovers were renewed in the second half and tried to move the larger Horden forwards around the pitch. Good team play released Bubbles Gallagher in the Horden 22 and he scorched over in the corner. Then Matty Lidster capitalised on a loose knock down at a Horden lineout to pick up the ball and score. Both the previous tries had been out wide and neither had been converted but the score was now 13-10. This got even better as right from the restart we scored the try of the game. Connor White took the kick and immediately passed to Ryan Harrison who moved the ball onto Ste Railton who made a good break and passed inside for Muller to score under the posts. Ryan Harrison converted and we led 17-13. This rather galvanised Horden's forwards and they eventually worked their way up the field and scored 2 identical tries both from 5 metre scrums where they pushed us back for their no. 8 to touch down. Both tries were converted and Horden regained the lead at 27-17. All credit to the Heughers though who continued battling and were rewarded by another similar try for Bubbles where he received the ball after an overlap was created and he scored again out wide. As the dificult kick drifted wide the referee blew for time and Horden had won 27-22.

This was a good competitive game between 2 sides with contrasting styles. Rovers were best when they threw the ball about and tried to avoid the big Horden pack. Horden on the other hand ran through their complete game repetoire of either keeping the ball tight in the pack or stuffing it up their jumpers. If that sounds unecessarily sarcastic then I apologise. It makes absolute sense to play to your strengths and Horden, as so often, had the dominant pack. Horden go through to play the winners of Darlington and Ryton 2nds and we wish them well

Man of the match for Rovers was Liam Wood. Older readers may remember a player called Martin Anderson whose nickname was Bendy Toy on account of his suppleness. Well Martin is more rigid than Andy Murray's mam on Strictly (not that I watch it mind) compared to Liam. He contorts himself into some wonderful positions in contact and must also coat himself in Teflon before taking the field. Time and time again Liam seems to be held only to wriggle free and set off in a new direction. He put in some classic round the ankle tackles against large Horden players and is also a fine source of lineout ball. And he didn't even bugger off on a plumbing job this week. Well done Liam.

Next week the Heughers are home to West Stags and will be once again managed by the magnificent Mick Hanley. Welcome back Mick. West too lost their cup tie last week and both sides are now free, as they in football circles, to concentrate on the league.