Yarm v Chester-le-Street

The start of a new season for Chester-le-street after a long and eventful summer break, Ben Langley retains his spot as captain being joined by two fresh vice captains in Club favourite Michael Hardy, and the ever consistent John Kirton. During the summer C-L-S were dealt a couple of early blows including the long term injury to the ‘dilf’ centre Andy Stephenson with a knee problem and the retirement of flair player Nathan Hope due to a lack of passion, with struggling numbers at training and no pre season friendly’s questions are already being asked of the captain and hand picked fixtures sectary Chris Watson.

Day one of the season lands C-L-S with a tough first fixture away to Yarm who join the league after being relegated without winning a game from League 2.C-L- S hand first team debuts to Richie Melvin and James Hannah both who have been training well and are looking to gain vital experience throughout the season. Missing for the team are explosive number 8 Paul Callahan, Technical wizard John Ryle and Safe hands Adam Welsh.

C-L-S with the kickoff and begin with a solid start looking eager to get on the ball and blow away cobwebs left over from the summer break. Pushing deep into the opposition half C-L-S put Yarm under pressure and looked the more likely to make something happen in the first 10 minutes. With new scrummaging rules and a new front row partnership between Mewes and Hardy the early scrums struggled and C-L-S found themselves being wheeled which continued throughout the match. There was some fantastic tackling from C-l-S none better than by the dog like John Lindsay making consecutive hits getting involved in several phases and looking impressively fit for the first game of the season.

Yarm carry the ball into the C-L-S half for the first time in the game and are awarded a penalty for Mewes coming in from the side of a ruck, they opted to kick at goal and covert with ease making the score 3-0. Mewes keen to make up for his early mistake caused great pressure from the restart, tackling the man just as he caught the ball causing Yarm to make mistakes. The ball found its way out to the wing and after some speedy hands through the C-L-S back line Treggs did very well to pop a ball to the on coming run of Matt Pallister who went all the way scoring the first try of the game and C-L-S’s first try of the season, Mark Watson failed to convert putting the game at 3-5.

As the game restarted Yarm began to control possession forcing both Kirton and Otterway to kick and relieve some of the pressure on C-L-S. Yarm where eventually award a penalty for coming through the ruck again they chose to kick and converted giving them a 6-5 lead. Not five minutes after the last penalty was awarded Mewes came from an offside position to hit an illegal tackle when it probably would have been easier to just tackle the man legally, giving Yarm a third chance to Kick at goal which the gladly took and went 9-5 up.

C-L-S went on to ask a few questions of Yarm however poor decisions in the final third cost them possession, often trying to do to much rather than looking for the easy pass. Captain Langley somehow managed to hit high altitude on a flat pitch and came of the field with a nose bleed. The lineouts left a lot to be desired as C-L-S failed to compete on opposition ball and because of the unique situation we have with our hooker, who has many Talents however throwing a ball in straight is unfortunately not one of them, that being said even with this problem Lindsay looked to be one of the best players on the pitch which says a lot for the rest of his game. After loosing a Line out deep in their own half C-L-S were driven over there own line and a try was given and converted from a tough angle making the score 16-5. Langley finally returned to the play.

Much to the surprise of the side line Carl ‘Porridge’ Melvin lasted a full 37minutes before complaining about blisters and coming off for Jim Langley. After another poor scrum C-L-S were able to hold up a try showing although they where struggling in the scrums they where no push over in the break downs. Enduring more pressure C-L-S finally crumbled with Yarm scoring in the corner Craig Kelly doing all he could to try and prevent this showing why he was voted as most improved player last season, Yarm converted the try finishing the first half with the score 23-5.

Half time substitute James Hannah on for Richie Melvin who gave a solid debut making no mistakes. The second half started well most of the play in the middle of the field some of the tackling from the C-L-S backs was questionable and possibly needs addressing in training, but C-L-S doing enough to hold their own. Hannah looked a little nervous to start off but came good making a textbook defensive tackle and gained confidence in doing so. C-L-S fought hard in the break down with Hardy turning over ball and controlling the forwards only to receive a yellow card for an illegal tackle which resulted in handbags. Hardy claims his tackle was legal and that it wasn’t his fault their 10 was so soft, I personally agree with him. As a result of the handbags captain Langley gave the team a bollocking mainly directed at Dom who as usual was pushing and shoving and giving it the big un’ but not backing it up.

One of the highlights for C-L-S street was last years winner of the MOTM award John Kirton who had a great game controlling the play and his best moment came when the Yarm number 8 tried to peel away from a ruck only to be dump tackled by Kirton who is half his size. Mark Watson made some good runs throughout the game but unfortunately failed to hit any gaps or recycle the ball, he was suffering from a bad back (nothing to do with the steroids) and was forced to come off mid second half bringing on Andrew Brown. Pallister also had his standard early rest coming off for the miraculously recovered Porridge who felt better as soon as he had caught his breath.

C-L-S were beginning to look tiered as the match went on and Yarm caused more and more problems, Jim Langley thought he could change the game with a delicate chip attempt to the winger resulting in Yarm regaining possession and moving back deep into the C-L-S half. After some poor refereeing Yarm scored yet anther try leaving captain Langley fuming at his decision, in the build up to the try there was some solid tackling that needs to be credited to John Kirton, John Lindsay and James Hannah all working hard to try and keep Yarm out. The try wasn’t converted giving a score of 28-5.

The last try of the game went Yarm's way with Mewes fighting yet again causing half the C-L-S players to be taken out of the play resulting in Yarm passing the ball out wide and scoring with ease, this time not converting, the full time score Yarm 33 Chester-le-Street 5. I think it is fair to say we half a lot to work on before next week, it also shows the huge gap in standard between leagues 2 and 3 so we wish all the best to Seaham and Prudhoe and Stocksfield hmmmmmmmmm. Opposition gave MOTM to John Kirton and POTW to John Lindsay. C-L-S gave MOTM to John Lindsay and POTW to Dom Mewes.