We had a much changed backline from the previous week, with some knocks, holidays and children's parties but the pack remained relatively unchanged but with some additions; Cam Allison back from concussion, Ollie Webster, Liam Lister, Peter Pearson. Tom Robertson and Will Corbett recovered from illness last week, treated by drinking lager and Guinness on Sunday. Captain Jimmy Tyers was a late withdrawal succumbing to a migrane but we had a late cry on in the new streamline mulletted Jay Corbett.

Durham arrived full of confidence following posting over 100 points up the Coast Road the previous week (we kept that quiet at training this week) and with over 165 players training last night...selection must have been a tricky one. We started strongly and worked our way up the field away from the club house but we were soon to see the attacking threat of the students as they capitalised on a mistake and put it through their hands at pace and scored within the first 7 minutes.

Will Corbett was making his presence felt, especially in attack, with some powerful, aggressive carries and being a nuisance at every breakdown. This tactic was essential in order to prevent quick ball for the students as this is when they were there most potent, a task we managed for large parts of the game. Corbett's second row partner Ollie Webster was having a great game in the first 20, particularly in defence and earned two penalties in a row turning over ruck ball. The third attempt however would be his last of the game; Durham's powerful hooker (himself having a great game) came through the ruck and made reckless contact with Ollies head/neck and he was unable to continue. The hooker was surprisingly only yellow carded as the ref wasn't certain of the area of contact. Ollie was replaced by the versatilee Craig Hadwen.
What happend next was very surprising...from a pool of 165 players, they did not have a replacement hooker on the 7 man bench so we had to move to uncontested scrums ( your guess is as good as mine).

Despite lots of possession and lots of penalties for (mainly at ruck time), we couldn't convert it to the scoreboard and as with the first score they capitalised and we found ourselves 28-0 down going into the back end of the half. The continued effort and commitment couldn't be faulted, but any mistakes would cost us. We stuck to the task and strong carries from, Glynn Pickering, Aidan Jackson-Smith and Matty Saunders took us into the opposition 22. Will Corbett hit a great line and was speed bumped by a Durham player just short but was able to extend his 4 ft long arm to dot down for our first score. He was no doubt bouyed by his granda's sideline holler of 'blood and snot' and 'they don't like it up em'..it also put a smile on the faces of some of the students!!!

HT 28-7 (I think)

Thankfully, during the game we had some 'spectators' turn up to watch the game and were politely asked to go and get their boots and shorts on..we were light on backs so thankfully Ollie Connolly and Owen Westhorp were two of the three. The third was Adam Simpson, a fellow ginger to keep Quinny company. All of them were needed and used due to injury and added to the game in a big way.

The second half followed the same pattern of strong carries and pacy breaks from the students, however, was more evenly matched on the scoreboard 19-12 . Cam Allison was having a cracking game in the scrum and around the park, which earned him the MOTM just pipping Will Corbett.
The backline was under pressure from the rush defence and solid tackling of the students but never took a backwards step all game, running good lines and looking for gaps in the defence. Fleet footed Will Hilditch showing up very well in the limited space he had. Young Jacob Parker had an assured game at 9, with very accurate passing all game and should take confidence from his performance. Ollie Mossop at fullback was impressive again and was like the walking wounded when he had to leave the park..bloody nose and everything.

They scored 2 long distance tries with a few missed first up tackles both converted before we again worked our way towards the fan laiden clubhouse end. Jay Corbett had entered the fray some ten minutes early and his intentions were clear...run at people as hard as I can when I've got the ball and even harder when I haven't..which he did at every opportunity, I'm sure their 10 will testify. This was until Jay pulled his groin in the build up to our second try.

Hadwen made inroads as did Jack Angus who continues to make progress each week but it was another late addition Alex Barker(above) that picked from a 2 metre ruck to score his first try in 3/4 years...a bland try at best.

They scored a further unconverted try but I can't remember any details but it would be us that finished the game the strongest. We emptied the bench in the last 10/15 minutes to ensure everyone got some minutes. This is important as we have some lads that have never played rugby at all, not for a long time or need to build into senior rugby. None of them let us down and continued the same way as the people they replaced, fully committed and gave their all...we can't ask anymore. Liam 'spud' Liston, Peter Pearson (I'm certain he is a superhero with that name) playing his first game at tighthead!!!! And the one of a kind Ryan Godfrey in at hooker with his unconventional ways including; growling, hooking with the opposite foot and nearly tackling the ref..he's not your average paperboy but he's ours and  continues to graft and improve each week.

We scored the final try of the game via Owen Westhorp who is having a purple patch at the minute, following his two last week, again it followed good build up play, Bailey Lindridge carrying well out of position on the right wing, and a pick and go from a ruck Owen notched our third of the day which was converted by Quinny (some suggested was Durham's best player). We had agreed that it was last try the winner prior to the game so that was our second win in as many weeks.


Coach Jamie Connolly was almost welling up with admiration for the performance and level of commitment from the squad again strong opposition,who would not be out of place in the first teams league. Continue in this manner with this squad of players and the rest of the season will be an excellent one. We'll done to all.

MOTM: Cam Allison
Ref: Great game 9/10
Food: Outstanding Steak pie, peas and gravy 9.3/10

Carlo's final thought: When looking at grassroots rugby and the nationwide issue of clubs struggling for players and in some cases ceasing to exist, why are none (or few) of the 165 students playing at local clubs in and around the area of Durham? This will be the same at many Universities across the country...something to think about