The Latest News from Wallsend Rugby Club
Medics doctor it to win!!!
Wallsend looked to win the cup they won last year when they beat the team above Gosforth 18-17 in the final at Kingston Park, however Medics were looking to put one over on Wallsend who are in the league above them this season!!
The game started at very fast pace and all Wallsend could do was defend. Medics through everything at them in the first half and Wallsend took it all. The medics backs looked sharp but the forwards impressed very much with their fitness around the park. Kicking looked like it was going to be hard as Hamil scuffed his first kick of the game to touch then Robison trying a scrum half kick decided to kick it 30 yards behind his own posts, but actually Robison didn’t come up with a excuse like Metcalfe when later on in the half he kicked the ball from his own 22 to his own 5 metre line!! Then he tried to say he didn’t know where he was!!!!
Well before I go on I would like to say well done to the people who in the last poll voted for young Sean who started his first game for the first team and managed a good couple of runs up the wing with great positional sense and defence throughout. The Wallsend team was not like people are used to see on a Saturday with a few key players rested and a few colts from last year starting and on the bench.
Back to the game Medics actually took the lead that they deserved after about 25 minutes through a Penalty by the number 10. 0-3. Wallsend must have treat this like the kick up the arse they needed and went on the attack with the forwards setting up the platform the backs needed to launch the back moves. Moves that saw Rutherford, Liam and Sean at times split the defence. Once the playing style was established Wallsend got into position to draw level and Hamil did so through the boot. 3-3. Medics again though went on the attack and only great tackling from Baldwin, Christie, Scotty along with others could keep them out. Until 5 minutes before half time when Wallsend were spread out and the medics 12 saw the gap between 10 and 12 and managed to sneak his way through. Taking the score with the kick to 10-3.
Well Wallsend who were hoping on no injuries went through the first half with no problems which brought delight to the Wallsend team but upset to the Percy Park fans who hosted this game under the lights, as Wallsend are who the Park boys are playing this Saturday. Half time was upon us and the score remained 10-3 medics!
The seond half kicked off and it looked all promising for Wallsend as the first few minute kicks to the corners were working and pressure was on medics who were actually down the 13 after having 2 players binned in the space of a minute at the end of the first half! After 5 minutes of this half Wallsend made 2 changes Slater and Robison, going off for D and Carl. This is when it all happened, a penalty which was in kicking distance was decided on to go for a line out much to The Thuds delight???? So once the line was taken against the weakened opposition Wallsend pushed their way to the line keep ing it tight and it looked like they were going all the way till d went off and went for all the glory himself just as if it was a race to the top of the hill like whne ya were bairns!! But he managed to get the ball back to carl who in turn hit Carl Haymens sorry I mean Hamil who took the ball straight through the gaps and over for his try and kick tying the score at 10-10. Then the moment the whole of wallsned and wales had been waiting for, the moment which will live on in the memory of Jessi Faye Watson, the moment you could hear the welsh chorus singing, ’Land of my Fathers’ yes your right the introduction of William Evans to the top flight rugby. Its was not long till he actually had to do something when the the medics scrum half put a bomb up on him, which he took with easy. After the match Evs was asked about this moment and he replied “well when I saw the ball go up in the air I knew it was mine, until I lost sight of the ball in the blinding floodlights, I some how managed to use the force if you like in a way I cant explain and when the ball came down with the two medics players around me I just grabbed it and held on with all my might just like a welsh man would a stray sheep, and ran toward the touchline” when asked how did he feel after he said “there was nothing better than hear the single applause from my lass knowing she loved me even more than ever!!”
The game went on and more players came on Drew and Dave’a. But these changes could not help the game as medics then had a moment of attack where they managed to score what ended up being the winning try taking the final score to 15-10 medics, a much deserved win for the lower team.
Man of the match Liam Arnold
Key points: Metcalfe and Robison’s Kick, Carls blindside run and bosch of the winger, Rutherford and Metcalfe’s cover tackles in midfield, Evs speed down the wing, Watson the next morning pouring his cereal on a plate not a bowl! And that’s about it!
Revenge is sweet!!
Well after the away tie in shity sunderland wallsend had a point to prove and sunderland were in for a lesson!!Wallsend started the game with great determination to win esp after taking such a strong lead in the away fixture only to lose it by bitching and switching off! So Wallsend had the sun in their eyes and up towards the school they went attacking well up the middle through Rutherford and strong run from the back row esp. Baldwin and Slater (sorry hooker too, not a dig mate!!) Yards were being made and it was not long till Wallsend had set up camp in the Sunderland 22. Pressure was great and Sunderland did well to keep Wallsend out. However Sunderland did have a few chances and after 15 minutes they got lucky with a score in the right side through their winger. 0-5. Wallsend weren’t going to put up with that and moments later Metcalfe went clear through the middle gassing past the two forward who were in the line and the chasing full back didn’t stand a chance!! Hamil converted! 7-5. Injuries started to appear some new and some old and after this try Bootland had to go off and make way for Christie. Also Liam went down and everyone thought this was it for another season for him but he managed to pick all his pieces back up and solider on. James received a new injury when Hamil punt the ball to clear his lines straight into the dish of the on looking scrum half that wobbled to the floor!! This however led to a break up the right when Peter stepped up into scrum half and went through a gap only to kick the ball in behind for Sunderland to clear but Wallsend were in the 22 again and ready to apply pressure. Eccles winning line out ball again and driving on with help from the strong forwards who have came on so much since the start of the season. Wallsend on the 30-minute mark were offered a chance to take three points and they did taking the score to 10-5. Just be fore half time Dave Robson did one of the runs of the season when he went blind and actually ran over 4 tackling players one after the other before off loading in the final tackle. But on 35 minute saw the end of Hamil and the end of the report as he had to go to hospital to check on a very sore arm which he picked up in a tackle yes I said it a TACKLE!! But just before half time Sunderland were alleged to have scored a try when the left winger went down the touchline, then appeared to step into touch. But with the touch judge Dougie handing on the flag to someone when he went to fill the water bottles that someone failed to pick the flag up therefore Sunderland were award the try under the posts. 10-12 half time!
The second half kicked off and I was in rake lane so basically Dan O scored from a penalty when he was high tackled, 13-12. Then Ardley scored a try from a move down the blind by Baldwin who off loaded to Ardley who went on to score under the sticks O’sullivan adding 2. 20-12 Sunderland score a penalty with 5 to go but that ended the game at the score 20-15.
Man of the Match could not be picked by ward but everyone deserved it he said! Next game on wednesday against Medics at Park!! then Park on the Saturday after!! Come on!!!!!!!!
seconds nick it at shields in the cup !!
Wallsend 2nds travelled up the road for a tough cup match against local rivals north shields with a quarter final place at stake. Coming off the back of an excellent performance the week before against Novos confidence was high. A couple of changes in the team welcoming capt scutler back in the second row, saus at prop, scotty at 7 and carl at no 9 but as ever things weren't all plain sailing when we somehow arrived at shields short of a prop ! A quick shuffle of personnel and Gary came off the bench to start at 8, matty reverted to prop and poor old stu hughes back in the second row. Shields started with a big heavy pack and at times pushed wallsend around but the early exchanges showed shields didn't have much to offer in the backs and reverted to a old style driving maul game which worked well for them. Wallsend held there own in the scrums albeit only just and attempted to run the ball out wide but execution let them down with poor handling and too many knockons and turnovers in possession. Wallsend knew shields big and dare i say it 'mature' pack would tire but simply couldn't turn possession into points with Billett unfortunately having an off day with the boot missing 3 first half penalties although the distance and wind played its part. 15 minutes in and Shields had possession just outside wallsends 22 and before wallsend could cover their pack drove a maul at pace over wallsends try line for a well taken forwards try 5-0. Wallsend fought back but when things appeared to be picking up Gary went off with a nasty rib injury after 25 mins and another re shuffle was required. Young prop Harry by now had been let out of playschool early and was raring to go from the bench which meant the pack reverted to everyones prefered positions and stu hughes back at 8 where he belongs. It wasnt long before chances came wallsends way and they hit the shields 22 with phase after phase linking forwards and backs but a combination of good home defence and poor execution left the score at half time 5-0.
A serious talking to was given at half time as Wallsend were guilty of too many mistakes and to be honest should have had points on the board against a team they should have been beating comfortably. Andy Simpson came on for evs at half time on the right wing and thankfully a different Wallsend turned up and dominated second half possession against a tiring shields pack, wallsends lineout was outstanding all game and with disco stu picking up at 8 in the scrums wallsend were more dynamic and ran at shields all half. Wallsend were still a tad guilty in the backs of holding onto the ball too long when a simple pass was on and chances went begging nonetheless the pressure told and one score was enough. wallsend pressured in the shields 22 and chris mccabe ran through for a well taken try right of the posts, not converted. 5-5 With ten minutes to go and talk of extra time was mumbled on the sidelines and both teams looked tired. Wallsend continued to pressure and looked the more likely winners but shields countered with the boot when they could and almost snatched it when a wallsend scrum in their own 22 went pear shaped and the ball flew out of the side for there 9 to pick up and feed a forward, a certain try was on but some great wallsend defence put the lad down and he was penalised for not releasing, it was the piece of luck wallsend needed as it looked like the lad wasnt held and should have been allowed to carry on and drive over for a try but thats rugby. Wallsend tapped and ran the ball out of defence the whole length of the field with some great hands by the backs across the park and simpson unselfishly passing the ball( which was knocked on ) rather than continuing his run to the corner for a try !
Wallsend were camped out in the shields 22 in the last 5 minutes and god was looking down when the ref awarded a penalty to wallsend under the sticks. Dont know what for but think it may have been for holding on, step up Mr Billet who had the look of wounded lion wanting some bait. He stepped up and kicked the ball so hard between the sticks it finished up in percy main ! 8-3 and wallsend had nicked it. Key points : We were refereed by female from newcastle uni and pre match discussion from some of the younger lads was "what do we call her, it can't be sir?" "Madam, m'aam, miss" were all suggested to which a wiley old sod suggested "ref" funny that !!
Daylight Robbery or was it!!!
Well Wallsend travelled down to Norton to play Stockton hoping to get a win, which they were harshly not allowed at home against the same team.
The game build up went down again in the things not to do before a game book like turn up at 14:00 for a 14:15 kick off. But a quick warm up and a few moves and Wallsend were ready to battle up the field into a strong wind!
The game kicked off and straight from the start you could see the intend in the eyes of the home team and how much they were up for this, esp. when for 15 minutes the territory was all theirs and in the Wallsend 22. But like all season, in our 22 Wallsend have probably had the best defence out of the entire league so far. But then the home team eventually got over the line and were awarded a try through a lot of scrambling towards the Wallsend try line! Taking the score after 18 minutes to 5-0. At the point the introduction of Liam Arnold was on the cards as full back Carl who had put in more than his fair share of tackles for the game in this first 20 minutes had to go of with a knock to the knee. It was not till the 20th minute that Wallsend had their first visit to the Stockton line and it was through some good hands to the winger Dan who out paced his man to the 22 only to be tackled shortly after by the covering full back. But once in the half of Stockton Wallsend chose to stay until they came out with something. After a spell of about five minutes where Wallsend pushed and pushed for the line the ball came out to Hamil who in turn tried to dummy and go with his change of pace he aint seen for 10 years which led to him being caught but not well enough as he passed to ball out of the challenge to a player who retired not so long ago Gav ‘The Thud’ Hood who took over three defenders with him to tie the scores and the kick being successful after that! 7-5 Wallsend. Wall send seemed to be playing with more confidence after this and started to through the ball around a bit in the closing stages of the first half and with Metcalfe going through a number of times Stockton seemed tired!
The second half kicked off and Wallsend now had the wind to their tails and came striding out the blocks and straight onto the offence! With the forwards winning ruck after ruck and scrum after scrum until they got into the middle of the pitch just outside the Stockton 22 where Robison passed back to Hamil who was in the slot and nudged one over for a 5 point lead! But straight from the kick off Stockton got straight back in it with a great run up the middle of the park but a even better tackle from the Wallsend centres who wrapped the attacker up well and managed to pull him down only for the ref to blow for playing the ball of their feet. Which gifted the home team three points 10-8 Wallsend. Not long after this saw two major problems for Wallsend Slater got sited and yellow carded for what look like a high tackle but in all honesty was a great bosh on the outside centre right in front of their home fans! While from that the resulting move allowed the big number 8 run over James then snotted Climpy who did well to hold onto him whilst suffering from a bad case of “Iaintgoingtolookgoodanymorewithmynoseallovermyface’it is” so with Climpy wondering how he was gong to get his nose straightened again he had to go off.
Which left a massive decision does Metcalfe bring on Stu Hughes onto the winger or Sausage?????? So after a brief arm wrestle on the sidelines Sausage decided to let Stu go on the wing!! The game actually went boring for a bit with both teams not doing much until the home fans decided to go spare with the referee after what looked like a clear try was disallowed. Allegedly a Stockton player had ground the ball over the try line but the Wallsend tackler had managed to get him self under the ball before the ref could get round to see the try! Still 10–8 Wallsend. This had everyone on the sideline thinking it not Stockton’s day and then this was proved right at the end as the case when the last kick of the game went sailing over the top of the left hand post and the touch judge not to give it! Quoting ‘ if the posts had been bigger it would not have gone over at best it would have hit and went wide!’ The referee agreed with him and that was the end of the game!
Wallsend are now 4th bottom and are looking good to stay up this year!
Key points: - Carl’s tackles leading up to when he had to go off! The Thud back at his best, Slater’s massive hit, Metcalfe running the lines we remember his running two seasons ago! Hamil's Drop Goal, Climpy’s nose tackle, Dan beating his man all day! Stu’ingamaula or was it a fish out of water! The kick, which was not given!!
seconds on top against novos !!
My first match report in while and i've lost my creative touch with my usually witty headliners, so any ideas please on e mail to peterhamilscrapheadliners.co.uk.
Back to the match which was played on a lovely warm(ish)sunny day perfect conditions for rugby and wallsend put in a top class performance against novos currently 2nd in the league. Capt scutler made quite a few changes from last weeks team defeat to blyth going for a blend of youth and experience which worked a treat. wallsend played some good stuff keeping it tight and edging the early exchanges with a three pointer however novos were dangerous and ran the ball as much as possible, a couple of missed tackles and they eventually scored in midfield for a try converted.
7-3
wallsend played with a new found dominance up front against a much bigger pack, not bugding an inch all game. some excellent exchanges between the backs and fowards took wallsend deep into the novos 22 and no 6 biggins showed great strength and drove over for wallsends 1st try. wallsend continued to dominate and what was most noticeable in this game was wallsends discipline with a low penalty count, excellent defence and bit of nouse about the park, we actually managed to retain our own ball and rucked and mauled superbly all game. cant really recall a turnover ! as you can see i can't rememeber everything so i'll move on to the second half.
changes made at half time with evs,chris, andy and jonny arm making way for woody, gav, peter and keith, freight train also made an appearance slighty later on. a nightmare start as wallsend knocked on in their 22 in the 1st minute and the spilled ball was mopped up by the Novos backs who ran in under the sticks to make this game there for the taking. Novos were still trying to run the ball shifting it out wide very quickly and on at least 2 occasions last ditch tackles saved the day. When the novos 10 kicked he often found a wall of green running straight back at him, every single wallsend player was up for this game and at some stage made serious yards and the handling was top class. wallsends forward dominance set up a great platform for 9-10 and lovelock made some great breaks linking forwards and backs and chucking the odd outrageous dummy or two, not like him ! biggins chipped in with another great finish similar to his first driving over from short range following some excellent driving by the pack in midfield. novos refused to give up and made this game a great watch,
however wallsend weren't going to be beaten and were still on top driving the ball up the right side of the pitch with phase after phase breaking the gain line time and time again. gary drove the ball within five yards of the novos line and the ruck was set, novos defended the fringes but left a huge space behind the ball and gav quick as a flash cheekily picked it up and dived over the novos line unapposed for a great try. wallsend were 10 points clear with 20 to go and tried to play keep ball but as ever pressure told and novos had a great 10 minute spell pinning wallsend back in there 22, eventually scoring with 5 mins to go to bring them within 5. wallsend dug in and played keep ball and the win was secured 24-19. Key moments - freight train running the ball out of the 22 and floating a peach of a flat pass to shaun, freight trains sex face !lovelocks basketball dummy technique, gavs cheeky try. An excellent all round performance so lets take it to shields next week. Man of match - Gary, he was like so awesome !!
Wallsend were Right'On!!
Well Wall send started this game playing into a gale force wind thinking that in the second half they would have it behind them which cold help in their favour by the end of the game if things got tight! So off they went with strong runs from the start. The forward knew they were going to have to work hard especially after Ryton turning over Sunderland the week before, so knowing this the defence from the start was second to none and with hits coming in from Jonny B and Keith R Ryton must have realised they were in with a pack of animals wanting revenge for the time we played them at their place. James was under strict instructions to take quick penalties whenever the ball was in the middle of the park as Hamil who went out before the game realised he could not reach touch in the winds. But It was not till after 15 minutes that Wallsend drew first blood with a great forward play up the right side of the pitch and Then the backs calling for it, to swing the ball from one touch line to the other, They managed to get a try in the corner through the pace and power of Dan O’Sullivan. The referee was quick to point out that the kick had to be from the right place as Hamil placed it 1 and a half yards from the touchline so as he moved it back to the touch line his chances were dashed as his conversion into the strongest wind in the world left him short by about 50 metres!!!! However 7 minutes later the ref awarded a penalty in a more kickable position, which he made up for taking the score to 8-0. Ryton despite looking like they meant business, never really threaten in this half until the last 5 minutes but again fantastic defence from the 1-9 meant the big Ryton forwards were going down faster than Northern Rocks Shares. This meant Wallsend went into the half time with an 8-0 lead under their belts.
The second half kicked off and it was as if some one had built a windbreak just off the pitch as the wind just disappeared. But Wallsend weren’t to bothered as they marched on and with good territory managed to keep the ball for most of the half and when Ryton did get the just ended up going backwards. This is probably the best time to mention the efforts of a certain player who since making his come back to first team rugby has worried a few regular players for their positions, Keith Robson for a few games now has took his new found brilliance and determination to a different level and watching some of the hits he has been putting in not only today but for the last two weeks has shown people he is back. Well actually he aint now as he has decided he would rather go and see his Girlfriend in Australia, so if you are reading this Keith’s lass… Hope ya feel good about taking him away from us as we struggle on in the league!! Thanks a Bunch! Well when he is back next year hope he picks up from where he left us! Well back to the game 15 minutes gone a kick into the corner resulting in a lineout which Wallsend won and drove towards the line only for the big galoot of a number 4 for Ryton killing the ball as Wallsend were going to score meant a ten minute rest for him and a choice of three points or a scrum for Wallsend!! That’s right they went for it and on the 3rd time of asking the scrum stayed on its feet and managed to push the ball over for a try by the way of the stray hand of Jonny B, who says he touched it down, but to the disgust of the Ryton team management who swear he didn’t!! But who cares about them???
This must have got to them as they then decided to play rugby it only took them 60 minutes but they eventually got their act together and managed to make some yards. But again when it counted up step Keith, Keith, Jonny, James, Tony and others to nail the Ryton attack! The tackle of the day came from I think James and Robson as a Ryton forward tried to take a crash ball only to meet them both which led to a clash of the heavy weights, if I was to imagine a mountain landing on the biggest bouncing castle in the world I would think the noise would hear next would sound very much like the noise I heard when this tackle was made!!! The sound of air expelling from this blokes lungs could have filled a hot air balloon in a second! WHAMMO!! Well this was pretty much it for the rest of the game and all that was left was for Wallsend to get someone binned and no it was not Andy Robison it was D, for getting punched!
Well man of the match went to Keith Robson on his last game for a year, we wish him all the best in the future and hope he comes back just as good!
Key Points- That tackle, Andy telling the lad to sit down after that tackle! The Wallsend sideline saying every line out and every feed to the scrum the opposition did was not straight (for a change)!!! D getting punched in front of the ref and then getting binned for it! Jonny’s hand of god for the try!! I don’t think soo!
Wallsend do great to win the nail biter!!
We scored they scored, we scored they scored, we scored again they scored again, they tried to start a fight we won! their 10 got his eye cut by running in to hit someone and clashinh heads and falling over hurt! then we scored they didnt score, so we win!!
Man of the match Climpy who was interviewed after the game in the Queens in which he said "thats my first try and first man of the match so where's me pint?" to which the sponsor Irwin and Co Ltd replied.... "f*** off"
Jonny seemingly if we had asked another person who normally gives the MOM's out you would have got it again!! but we didnt so climpy got it!
The score didnt quite fit the BILL!!
Wallsend travelled all the way to Billingham with the thought of a frozen pitch, but with the referee having an early inspection everything seemed to be in playable condition.
Wallsend eventually took the field after only getting out for a warm up at 14:00, and it proved to be costly as the home team which have been doing so well this season took an early advantage through two tries in the space of 10 minutes which were both unconverted. Wallsend must have thought that that was how it was going to be for the rest of the game. But wallsend leading from the front started to play some good rugby with the scrums going in their favour and line outs being cleanly won at all positions. The ball rarely got to the wings but with Metcalfe and Rutherford talking the crash ball up well it never really needed to. Jonny, Slater and Christie proved themselves to be a back row not to be reckoned with as their hits and carries improved Wallsend's first half display. Hamil got a penalty to take the score to 10-3 but further tries in the first half to Bill made the half time score 20-3. This was a better performance by all players after the game at home but with Bootland going off after 5 minutes wallsend only had two subs left in this physical game.
The second half kicked off and straight away wallsend went on the march and numerous times got into the bill 22 where they stayed for spells at a time. Billingham however were never going to be a team that took their feet of the pedal and they squandered a number of chances through bad final passes and greediness you may say. Billingham were unlucky not to get a early try when they were judged to have done a double movement over the line, which saw the home team balcony erupt with cheers and shit music only to be knocked back to the half way line from the resulting penalty. Wallsend then made their own move for a try when a kick into the corner which Bill threw back in from the line, resulted in a scrum to wallsend 8 metres out due to a not straight throw. This was the chance for the big wallsend pack to show their worth, which I exactly what they did!!! Christie controlling the ball well at the foot of the scrum as his 7 other men pushed the Bill defence over the line for Christie to fall on. Hamil with the 2 points to go with it! 20-10. Hamil then went on to miss his 5th kick for his club of all season when it hit the cross bar from 40 yards out, which would have took the score to 20-13 and within a converted score. Half way through the second half saw another colt from last season Saus come on at prop for his debut in the mighty green and gold strip. Joined by another colt making his 3rd appearance Scotty. Both players having great seasons for the colts last year and a well-deserved chance in the first team this year! Wallsend had at least two more chances when the ball went along the line to the wings only for disappointing passes going to floor. Billingham were under a lot of pressure but managed to get back in the game with their quickly taken penalties and great counter attacking. But a definite score was stopped when next weeks birthday boy and eventual man of the match Ian Slater did a great tackle on the line to stop the big number 14 from going over. But with the last play of the game practically the home team ran in one more try and settled the game at 25-10.
Wallsend must be happy with this result in the fact that at home they lost 57-15 to the strong Billingham team but also disappointed with the fact they nearly took something away from this game! Man of the match Ian Slater, Jesmond for his birthday next Sunday lads!!
Key points- Rutherford getting smashed and braving up as if it didn’t hurt TWICE!! Slater’s cover try saving tackle! Bootland’s eyelid injury! Saus debut! Climpy Scaring off his winger before the game because he had a meatball sub!! Front Row scrumaging!!
A sad time for rugby when teams try and win by default!
Wallsend travelled up to Gosforth to play the green and whites on their old pitch after refusing a month back to play on their new one. However with the conditions this week it may have been better to play there, but after close inspection the good old traditional grass pitch was in perfect playing condition!
The game started with Wallsend playing with a strong wind behind them, attacking away from the club house. When ever Gosforth got the ball they just moved in slowly around the corner and never threatened much from that. They rarely past the ball past the 10 and kicked far too much in behind the wingers from the scrum half. So when Wallsend got the ball they just pinned in back down unto the Gosforth 22 and planned to work from there! However the Gosforth 4 played to spoil the day with some great takes against the head in the line outs with Dougie not having one of his better starts! Hamil also suffered from a bit of the Crapstart’itis when two of his early attempts on goal were missed, which proved to be critical. But this first half was a great team effort with the scrum going really well with Dave R, Dougie and O’Conner playing a blinder in the front row! Eccles was everywhere which was great to see and Coach Ward said at the end of the game that Eccles in this game was back to his best! It was only after 20 minutes everyone got to see the nasty side of the Gosforth players as Dave Robson took one out with a shoulder on the side of a maul which sparked the rest of the Gosforth players ganging up on him. This resulted in a big punch up which led to Andy Robison being binned for 10 minutes, but Wallsend winning the fight! Big Style!! With Wallsend down to 14 and pumped up they managed to get to the Gosforth line and if it was not for a player coming over the top and knocking on, they would have scored. But from the resulting scrum Wallsend with 7 forwards pushed over the line for number 8 Keith Christie score and Hamil kick the 2. 0-7
Not long after Irwin went over from a great move by James and himself, to only be held up over the line by a great cover tackle. Gosforth from the kick off managed to win the ball back and break up the right and from the resulting line out or scrum the winger went in for 5 points back to the posh boys! 5-7. for the remainder of the first half Wallsend had chances but nothing really coming from it. Rutherford having a great game banging the ball up and Bootland along with the rest of the forwards always there in great support.
The 2nd half started and this was to be a very controversial 40 minutes or shall we say 60 minutes!! It started with a rare glimpse of Hamil making a break as he was fed the ball from Slater, Hamil went to kick it but then stepped of his right and went round his man and the fans said to you could see the change of pace, as he started off fast then slowed down drastically once he knew he weren’t going anywhere fast! Again good play from backs and forward against the wind got Wallsend into the right parts of the field that they wanted to be in but without taking the chances! Which led to Gosforth turnover and the ball being booted 60 yards back down the field for the zend to start again! A penalty a piece in After 63 minutes a Gosforth player went down just as they took the lead from a penalty 11-10, there was a chance of a neck injury so the Wallsend physio was not happy about him having to move so an ambulance was called. The game had to be stopped until it turned up, so the ref got the two captains and asked if they were both happy to play on the other pitch which was only a stone throw away which they both agreed to until they realised that the game had passed the 60 minute mark and that if the game could not be played the points would have gone to the home team. So basically the game was suspended for around 20 minutes in which time the Gosforth fans started to give the Wallsend team some stick verbally which led to a off the field Slagging match. Wallsend then when they took the field were so up for it and took it to Gosforth and had a couple of chances but could not get the job done, Gos finally sealed it with a penalty taking the score to 14-10 and the final whistle was blown. If this does not make sense at any point its cause I was called out at work and could not be bothered to re read it to see what order I put things!! Gosforth if ya read this and don’t agree ya can go stick it up ya arse!!! Eccles Man of the Match
Key Points: Irwin tackled over the line, 7 man push over try against 8, the fight, Hamil making his first break of the season, Front row efforts all game, Eccles back to top form. BUT worst of all the fact Gosforth were happy to try and win by Default (sad)
Gateshead....Fell the Disco XV
The seconds tavelled to Gateshead and as usual the wind was blowing across the pitch, is it always windy there !! We could see from the off that Fell appeared to have an enormous pack, some more rotund than others but the weight advantage was very apparent in the scrums and two big second rowers destroyed the Wallsend lineout. It was damage limitation for some time as Wallsend seemed overpowered by the strong rucking and driving mauls of the Fell pack and we just couldnt get going. It was inevitable that a score was coming and it did by some strong running from the Fell 13 breaking tackles and running in far to easily. Again some excellent forward play by Fell and in for two more tries by half time, 19-0. Wallsend were very flat and if i dare say it intimidated by a big experienced pack..
The second half was a different story, tactically Wallsend knew the big Fell pack would tire so a runing game was the only way back in and Wallsend have a good back line so if we could steal some possession then game on...
It only took a few minutes and Wallsend were back in the game, Fell spilled the ball just outside their 22 on the left and a quick pair of hands to coby and a nice step from him inside wrong footed the Fell defence and a good sprint for the line, an excellent try converted. Wallsend were on top for large periods of the second half pinning the Fell back with tactical kicking and eventually waking up in the forwards with some good fringe play. I do recall at some point a young jet heeled Johnny Lovelock throwing an unusual dummy, not like him and running in from what appeared to be 30 yards or so for an unopposed try, then i woke up 15 years later and realised john is 36 and runs in quicksand thesedays but hey a briliant try !! We then completed our amazing comeback again with some good play from the backs, good hands and i think it was Evs in the right corner. 19-19 with 20 mins to go !! Wallsend continued to peg Fell back but they weren't dead and buried by any means, yes they weren't as dynamic and strong as the 1st half but they can play forwards rugby and unfortunately they still dominated the set piece and Wallsend were constantly penalised for delaying the lineout, yes we moaned about the referee but it was Fell who forced the issue cos we just could't win our own ball. With 5 mins to go and against the run of play Fell stuck the ball up their jumper and marched up the middle of the pitch keeping posession and mauling really well eventually going over for the winning try. Final score 26-19. I hav to say that Fell have the strongest 3rd xv i've played against in a long while ??
To summarise, not Wallsends best performance but top marks for sticking in and nearly nicking it. Well done lads.
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