2nd XV Stuck in the Mud

Consett 2nd XV were held by a spirited Whitley Bay Rockcliff Vikings (WBRV) side in a match played in atrocious conditions. Due to numerous postponements and cancellations, the team had only played seven of the twenty-two league fixtures before this game, and knew that a win would provide some much needed momentum in a push towards the top of the table.

After a tactical talk from Coach John O'Connor emphasising the need for doing the simple things right, the team left the changing rooms to be greeted by sideways rain and a swamp of a pitch. As WBRV had both the slope and the wind in the first half, it was vital for Consett to get on the front foot and stifle any possession the opposition had, knowing that if they turned around within a score, the game should be there for the taking.

Despite, as expected, WBRV dominating the territorial battle, the Consett defence stood up strong with notable big hits put in by Ryan Blemings, Max Coulson and Sean Murdoch. Frustration was mounting for the home side, and a poor punt was almost punished by Consett. Steven Hodgson gathered the ball inside his 22 and fed Adam Wilkinson who set off down the touchline, beating three defenders before finally being hauled down 15m short of the line; unfortunately his offload went to ground and the attack fizzled out.

Not long after, WBRV broke the deadlock. A clearance kick from Consett held up in the wind and after some good hands, the impressive winger was put in space. Stepping the first man, his pace enabled him to round the last defender and score with the conversion making it 0-7.

Consett were beginning to dominate upfront, and an excellent scrum led by prop Cameron Holiday enabled ball against the head. However, disaster struck when a pass was taken by the wind and over winger Andrew Stobart's head, allowing the WBRV winger to hack the ball through and flop over the line.

Much to the surprise of Consett, the referee blew for half time just as the team were building up some momentum, as he revealed the match had been shortened to 30 minutes a half.

Captain James Watson re-iterated the need for doing the basics right, and asked for more from the forwards against a notably smaller opposition pack. His words must have hit home as after some rumbling runs by No8 Martin Urwin and replacement prop Richard Tetley, Consett were camped on the WBRV line within minutes of the re-start. Numerous penalties were given yet the referee decided it did not merit more severe punishment, and the WBRV defence held firm against both driving mauls and scrums.

In fact, it was off an opposition line-out that Consett managed to get on the scoreboard. A tap-down was not cleared up and enabled back-row Andy Bennett to dive on the loose ball and score to make it 5-12. Momentum was now with the away side and after some excellent defensive line-speed from centres Matt Vardy and Matt Clarke, WBRV were soon back defending their try-line. Quick hands by scrum-half Dan Patchcott enabled Watson to score under the post, with fly-half James Herdman converting to make it all-square.

Consett sensed a go-ahead score, and a rampaging run by Dean Shaw after catching a loose clearance kick looked to set the platform for more points. However, conditions deteriorated even more with players struggling to differentiate between teammates and opposition amongst the mud-soaked strips. Steven Victor Marshall and Bradley Sotheran put in some crunching hits, and the game was stopped when the WBRV flanker went down with a nasty looking head injury. Due to the potential severity of the injury, and the conditions, the referee called time.

12-12 meant the points were shared in a game that Consett felt they should have won. The team will now prepare for next weeks tough game against Percy Park Pumas, who sit 2nd in the league table.