Unlucky for some, 13

Rovers Hueghers lost their unbeaten record to a youthful Stockton who took full advantage of a depleted team.

Rovers travelled to Stockton with 12 players. Of those 12 half of them were veterans who were due to face West but that game was cancelled. The Vets were asked to bolster the 2nds but it turned out without those vets their wouldn’t have been a team.

The 12 Rovers kicked off against 14 from Stockton. Sportingly Stockton played with 14 and left 3 players on the bench. Why they couldn’t play for us and get more game time I’m not sure. But it was nice of them to at least drop one player.

Rovers actually started brightly with Sewell making good ground bouncing off would be tacklers. His sun burn wasn’t effecting him too much. Nathan and the pace had ball in hand and groomy were all involved early on. For a moment Rovers rolled back the years with Cushlow and Wiles making strong runs and Grandy providing good ball to the backs. But after 2 minutes Rovers ran out of steam and Stockton scored on their first attack.

That was the general theme of the afternoon. Stockton got the ball and moved it. Rovers didn’t have enough bodies or pace and Stockton were soon building up a decent lead. Muller then arrived 15 minutes in to the game and we could move Smith into the back row and Muller into 10. This helped and Rovers looked more dangerous.

Rovers did get on the score sheet. Twinkle toes Groom stepped a couple of players before setting up a ruck. Grand fed the ball to Smith who stepped one, handed one off, bounced one, and then carried the full back over the line with the help of the pack. All from 30 yards out. Jiggly Josh took over the kicking duties and Nailed it. Billy who?

Half time came and Captain Kirto gave a rousing speech to lift spirits. The coach for the day Sainty added some words of wisdom before the evergreen Bambi chipped in. The second half was ours. We couldn’t lose.

It wasn’t. Turned out very similar to the first half. Rovers did come close with Cushy sniping but ran into his own man as he was ready to touch down. But Rovers pressure did result in a second try when Power house Tucker went over from 20 yards taking would be tacklers with him. Not as good as Smiths try but not bad. Jiggly missed with the conversion. From in front of the sticks. Bring back Billy

Stockton continued to move the ball. They had youth on their side, and pace, and fast feet. But Rovers made it hard for them. New player Stu stopped a lot of certain tries with some last ditch tackles.

Full time came and the weary Rovers lads could finally catch breath.

FT Stockton 62 - 10 Rovers

It was a difficult afternoon for Rovers. But credit to the team for turning up and ensuring there was a game. It was decent game played in good spirit and well refereed. There was a lot of experience in the Rovers side and some of those Vets have played at a high level and that was evident with some passages of play. Unfortunately the 40 something’s coukdnt keep up with the 20 something’s of Stockton. 52 year old Andy Wiles played a full game and made good ground and was a salmon in the line out. The Pace at 48 made a number of runs although he did get dumped off their body builder prop. Cushy’s throwing in was Pin point. And captain marvel got through a lot of work. Jiggly handled the restarts well. Groomy has a good game as did Nathan O and Muller. You really couldn’t fault anyone’s effort.

It’s a shame that a full 15 couldn’t be found and it took a lot of Vets to ensure a game. Talking to the lads after the game it was mentioned that this squad would be an ideal 3rd team. But to do that we need those players that want to push on and play competitive rugby to get training and make a big effort to play for the Heughers and push for a 1st team place and allow the Vets and some young uns to enjoy a social game.

A big thank you to the lads that did turn up and to Bambi and Sainty for managing the team in the absence of Miffy and Mick. A big thanks to George who was top water boy keeping the lads hydrated.

Ref was excellent and food was spot on.