U14’s update
After a summer of hard training and additional faces, the return to action brought little comfort from the efforts being put in. The penny just wasn’t dropping, as well as heads, as the tries went over.
The coaching team of Tony Muir, Paul Stephenson, Ryan Clayton and Tony Church have shared responsibility for looking after the sessions and match days over last couple of months and where there was any, hair was being torn out.
From our initial fixtures you can see we have points in our team, it’s learning to stop the leaks at the other end. However, they say, the darkest hour is just before the dawn…………….
Gateshead (Home) 21 - 31
First game back, first defeat, however a hard fought game for our first return

Blaydon (Home) 21 - 46
A decent return against a well drilled side, however, old faults of poor tackling and a lack of ball winning were our downfall. One training ground move, with a lovely reverse pass to Dixon to score was a highlight – along with the boot of Rennie from different areas of the pitch.

Westoe (Away) 77 - 17
This fixture has been wiped from the memory. We’ll leave it at that.

Durham (Away) 10 - 57
After walking nearly all the way back to Hartlepool to find the pitch, the game eventually got underway. We just did not do the basics again. A try from Dean and kicks from Rennie returned our points

Guisborough (Home) 10 - 24
Another defeat, however, for the first time the Coaches and supporters/parents could see a glimmer of hope. Tackles, good rucking starting to pay off with extra possession. All this kept the score to a decent level, and with a bit of luck/favourable decisions it could have much much nearer. A try from Rennie and a first try from Evans. The Guisborough coach even commented how much better organised we were looking, compared to last season.

Sunderland (Home) 27 - 27
Simply a great game of Rugby – end to end stuff. A step up in performance from Guisborough. Following an aggrieved loss to Sunderland in the cup last year the boys saw this as an opportunity to right some wrongs. Sunderland are a big team, however, great tackling and majority of rucks/scrums won supported our points tally. Only a last minute try from a penalty, gave Sunderland the draw. A hat trick from Dixon, one from Rennie (and 7 points from his boot also)
The introduction of the half time orange may also be key

Guisborough (Home) “Friday Night Lights” 37 - 22
The penny finally dropped. Guisborough were simply no match for the team. Superb forward play set up the ball and points for Rovers. A further hat trick for Dixon, one from Dean and a brace from Chesterton with two excellent pickup and runs. Rennie again supported the tries with 9 points. His hard practice bearing fruits

Consett (Away) 5 - 53
3 defeats, all heavy, to this well organised team containing – by their own naming – “The Giraffe” last season needed putting to bed. And was it not.
Rovers started on the front foot with a 1st minute try from Dixon. Again what we saw throughout the match was some superb forward play not only in the trenches but in forward runs – particularly of note Rennie, Chesterton and Dean. Some led to trys, some allowing pressure to be taken off through gaining valuable territory. The “Boooooms” could be heard loud n proud with every run from Norman.
Tackling from all the lads was top class, particularly from Flounders who was our deserved man of the match from Tony Muir. He would have had a debut try, but for an illegal high tackle.
6/Six/Seis/Sechs tries from Dixon !!!!, a great bursting try from Dean and two outstanding runs from Chadbourne netted two more. Rennie kicking 4 conversions.
A couple of the lads came away with hand injuries, and we hope they can return next week.
A massive pat on the back to all.

Overview so far
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Looking ahead
Our next game is planned to be against West in the cup – this weekend coming. Date, time, venue tbc.