WELCOME I am pleased to welcome Consett back for their second visit to Acklam Park. They are enjoying a cracking run of victories at present and come here fresh from a 27-6 win over 2nd placed Barnard Castle. This is the latest match in an impressive record of seven consecutive wins since losing to Stockton on 7 January, a run which also includes beating 3rd placed Westoe 40-24. Curiously the last four games in this winning sequence have been at home whilst the other three were all away games. Consett lie in fourth place, and although it is unlikely they can pinch top spot (Northern would have to implode in spectacular fashion) moving up to third- or even second – is just about possible. With only four more matches to go all will be revealed soon...

Our visitors earlier form was a little more varied. In their previous 15 matches they won seven (including beating us 27-22 in November) and lost eight; on their travels they have won five times. Just a quick mention of our game at Consett; we were leading 3-22 at one stage in the first half and 10-22 at half time. We were not too clever after the break and we had Mike Thornburn red-carded when he received a second yellow, and played 10 of the last 12 minutes with 13 men after Tom Symon was also yellow-carded. During this time we conceded a penalty try.

Last season saw our first meetings in league rugby. The game at Consett was a close affair, which we won 15-17. It was played on a snow-covered pitch and Consett were 9-3 up at the break and then 12-3 and 15-6 ahead, with their full back kicking all their points and Sam G responding. Two more penalties from Sam put us within touch of a win, achieved when Liam took a pass from Rhys to crash over with minutes to spare. In the return Consett came at us with all guns blazing. They were the clear winners of first half, with the 10-16 score at half time a lot closer than it might have been but for some dogged defence. But we scored a four-try bonus point 28-16 win with a totally dominant second half performance.
YORKSHIRE SHIELD I think it's fair to say that we fancied our chances of reaching the final in this year's competition. Our visitors last week were Wath upon Dearne, who are mid-table in Yorkshire 2 and although they had beaten two teams from Yorkshire 1 to reach the semi-final both games were played at Wath, whose home record is far better than their away form. Although we were without several players, including top try-scorer Sean Moloney and influential centre Andy Micklewright, who was cup-tied, having played for Ripon in an earlier round, we still fielded a strong team and our home form has been pretty good this season. But we were always chasing the game, and lost 10-15.

After ten minutes we were 0-5 down, but it could have been so different. Before Wath scored Peter Homan plucked a Wath pass from thin air and was away from the half way line like a steam train with only one man to beat. Before launching himself towards the line he checked his stride to confuse the first defender who was easily beaten; unfortunately it also confused the referee and he blew for offside and so seven points went begging. Matty pulled back three points on the 20 minute mark, but Wath scored another try to go into the break 3-8 ahead. Unfortunately they crossed the line again, again after ten minutes, and it became a real up-hill struggle for us. However a period of pressure from our lads resulted in seven welcome points, as Marcus Lang plunged over the line and Matty added the conversion. This sparked a huge surge as a very effective 'pick-and-go' tactic kept us camped on our visitors line as we hammered away for another score. Sadly it was not to be, but in the end it must be said that over the whole game Wath deserved to take the spoils. They were a lively energetic side who kept the ball alive, and we wish them the best of luck in the final, which will be against Bridlington, who also won away from home, beating Pontefract 20-27.

Incidentally I mentioned in the match programme that the week previous only one of our team at Hartlepool had not played for our Colts (Sean Moloney). Against Wath our only non-Boro Junior was Calum Marshall, who arrived in our midst very fortuitously from the University seeking practical sports therapy experience alongside Eric.
֍ Marcus Lang was presented with his 1st team tie after the match, joining brothers Ally and Gareth as the only three brothers in the scrum to earn this distinction.
֍ Kieran Clark starred for Durham U20s on Sunday; they beat Yorkshire, unbeaten for three years, by 15-12. Next game is a quarter final tie at North Midlands on 2 April.

OTHER MATCHES Two weeks ago the Wasps headed north to Westoe. They arrived to find that Westoe's home league game with Ryton was postponed; not surprisingly the Westoe second team weren't short of players; nor surprisingly Westoe won; but very surprisingly in the circumstances the score was 18-17. In last week's programme I urged you to read Jonno's match report. But there was a catch. The report didn't make the programme! However it does appear today. My apologies for this oversight. Last week the Wasps again travelled north, but further north to Morpeth, for the second time in a month but this time for a CANDY Cup semi final. Unfortunately the result was the same, a win for the home team. Jonno's match report is on our website and will appear in our Westoe programme.

The 'A' team got back to playing 'proper' rugby last week. None of this silliness of playing second teams on league-free Saturdays when the opposition looks surprisingly strong. They welcomed Seaton Carew, who enjoyed themselves so much they invited our lads back to their place for a game this week. The teams were evenly matched for the first hour or so, when the score was 15 all. We then broke away to take a five point lead before going on to win quite comfortably in the end; the final score was 57-25.

CLUB NEWS The news about Ian Collingwood, 'The Admiral,' gets better and better. Following his operations he has been at home for almost three weeks now. Although still in some discomfort he is much stronger and eager to get back to reclaim his No1 position on the pool table. We wish him a speedy full recovery and hope to see him up and about soon.

There was a good turn-out of members at the open evening on Thursday to discuss plans for our future development. The short presentation was followed by a bright and lively discussion concerning proposals for creating a stronger and more active base of people willing and able to become involved in driving the Club forward. I sincerely hope that the meeting stimulated you to volunteer your services.

Don't forget that our Members' Reunion will take place in two weeks, when we play Westoe on 8 April. If you have not already done so please register your place with Keith Bircham. Our Annual Dinner and Players Awards Evening is also steaming up on the horizon. It will take place at the Sporting Lodge on Friday 5 May. Tickets are available from team captains/managers, Don Brydon or Richard Ward. Dates for our 4th Annual Beer Festival have been announced. The Festival will run from 6-10 pm Friday and 2-10 pm Saturday, 21 and 22 July, the opening weekend of the local schools summer holidays. There will be more than 30 cask ales and ciders on sale. The entrance fee of £5 covers both days and includes your first pint. What could be better? Your presence is requested! Why don't you, or a group of you join together to sponsor a barrel? Have a chat with Simon Moore, Colin McNeill or Tilly.

REFEREE'S CORNER What a coincidence! Our referee today is pharmacist Philip Gordge, who was in charge of this same game, home to Consett, last March – and two seasons ago he was appointed to our game against Wath upon Dearne, our opponents last week (although he had to withdraw because of injury). I am pleased to welcome him back to Acklam Park. In his playing days Phil was a No 8 who played at London University and Bromley. Now living in Bridlington he became a referee eleven years ago and is a member of the East Yorkshire Society.