Team
1 – I Scott
2 – B Harrington
3 – M Thornton
4 – J Kier
5 – C Corkin (c)
6 – J Bates
7 – L Johnson
8 – M Stockdale
9 – A Reay
10 – O Bulley
11 – B Wright
12 – K Sanderson
13 – L Wolfe
14 – G Williams
15 – CJ Beales

Subs
16 – P Craggs
17 – H Craggs
18 – T Craggs
19 – L Hornsey
20 – T Davies
21 – M Foster-Spillane
22 – A Ainsley
23 – H Hay
24 – H Wolfe
25 – K Mullender
27 – J Pounder
28 – C Pearson

Brigade reaped the rewards of a tough preseason programme with a hugely promising away win against Billingham 3rds on the 4g surface.
With a big squad and a big travelling support Brigade went into the fixture full of confidence ahead of the CANDY League campaign and started the match brightly taking the game to the hosts. However, it was Billingham who took the lead in the 17th minute after a sloppy defensive lineout 5 yards out allowed the Billingham back row player to pounce on a loose ball and score for a 5 – 0 lead.
It only took Brigade 5 minutes to level the score this time from an attacking line out. Smart, intricate play saw Stockdale hauled down inches short but flanker Liam Johnson was on hand to snaffle over. Corkin was wide with the touchline conversion and it was 5 – 5.
Brigade got themselves in front after 28 minutes through number 8 Murry Stockdale. A great break from his own half by winger Brad Wright saw play taken deep into the Billingham 22. When the ball was recycled, it was fed to Matty Thornton who stunned the watching fans, and obviously the Billingham full back, as he attempted some sort of cross field / up and under / grubber kick. The stunned full back knocked on giving Brigade a scrum some 5 yards out. As soon as the Brigade pack got the nudge on, we knew the Stockdale try was inevitable and Murry didn’t disappoint. Corkin added the conversion and it was 5 – 12.
Billingham hit back only 5 minutes later with several phases of good back play and strong direct carrying. With Brigade running out of numbers around the ruck the Billingham 9 saw the gap to dart away and score but with the conversion missed Brigade still led by 10 – 12.
Brigade managed to put some daylight between themselves and their hosts with two quickfire tries just before half time. First on 36 minutes Stockdale bagged his second try after a clever offload by our new flanker Jaydn Bates gave him space to crash over, then from the kick off a great gather by Luke Hornsey allowed Reay to set his backs away. Luke Wolfe showed great pace to make ground before feeding full back Ceejay Beales. Beals kicked forward and his determined chase was rewarded with a huge bounce off the $g surface allowed him to gather and race away. Corkin struck the post with the first conversion but slotted the second for a half time score of 10 – 24.
Billingham started the second half on the front foot and it was only two try saving tackles by Jonnie Kier and Ted Davies that prevented the hosts from scoring. The pressure told eventually though as the Billingham 10 went over after 50 minutes to bring the score to 15 – 24.
In the 57th minute Brigade scored again through the evergreen Jonnie Kier. A great break by the backs took play into the Billingham 22. A quick ruck allowed Reay to feed Stockdale down the blind side and he showed lovely hands to put Kier in space and Jonnie cruised to the line and under the posts. Corkin added the conversion for 31 – 15.
Our final score came from man of the day Mike Foster-Spillane who celebrated his stag do after the game. This was a typical Foz try as he took the crash ball from 10 yards out and took 3 or 4 Billingham defenders over the line with him. Corkin converted for 15 – 38.
Credit goes to Billingham who kept at it for the whole 80 minutes and they got their reward with a bonus point try on the stroke of full time to bring the final score to 22 – 38.
Coach Claytin was delighted with his sides effort saying “this is a difficult place to come and play, especially on the 4g pitch. To come away with a good win having given our whole squad valuable minutes means we have gotten our season off to great start. But the hard work continues in training before our home game against Stockton next week, who are another of the stronger sides in this league”.
The Cosmopolitan man of the match went to Murry Stockdale who is clearly reaping the benefits from a summer living in the gym. Keep up the good work Mesh and enjoy the best Sunday Roast in Teesside courtesy of our sponsor.

Hartlepool B.B.O.B. RFC

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