Stockton RFC 7 Middlesbrough RUFC 41
On a blustery day at the Grangefield School site Stockton hosted Middlesbrough in their first league clash of the season
Starting the game both sides are at each other hammer and tongs as you would expect from these local rivals from either side of the Tees. The first breakthrough came when a good move from Boro saw Wing Harry Bryce pushed into touch. From the lineout scrappy Stockton ball was tidied up by Boro hooker Joe Sawdon, the ball was then given to centre Jack Luke who broke and passed the ball to wing Sean Joseph who fed the ball inside to NZ import number 9 Jake Chalklen to score 0-5
Just before the half hour Middlesbrough extend their lead with a penalty from fly half Andrew Baggett 0-8
Next, great hands from the Boro lads sees the ball eventually make it to the hands of prop forward Josh Lyno the Rhino Lynas who crosses on a scrumptious full backs line to score. Andrew Baggett converts 0-15
To close out the first half scoring No 10 Andrew Baggett hits a kick downfield gaining the lineout from a 50-22, the subsequent lineout was dragged down by our hosts, the penalty goes to touch and after another catch and drive, out pops Joe Sawdon to wrestle the ball over the line for a try, converted by Andrew Baggett
Half Time Stockton 0 Middlesbrough 22
Straight from the kick off The Boro lock makes ground with a marauding run, the ball is recycled by the forwards and sent out wide to the other wing, the ball is given to Andrew Baggett who kicks across field to wing Harry Bryce who takes it on the bounce to score out wide. “Bryceys on fire your defence is terrified” Super conversion by Andrew Baggett 0-29
Again the game ebbed and flowed and following a Stockton clearance Middlesbrough No 8 Adam Marron takes the ball on a barnstorming run, must have been 30 yards, had the insight to draw the full back and passes to 5 foot f### all scrum half Jake Chalklen an unopposed run in under the posts, Baggett converts 0-36
Finally after a great effort throughout the game Stockton are awarded a penalty try as they were pushing a scrum towards the line and it was illegally collapsed by the visitors 7-36
Middlesbrough finished the scoring with a try from replacement full back Brendan Hilll who scored out wide 7-41
A great local Derby culminates in a good win for Middlesbrough, though I personally believe that the score does not reflect the closeness of the game
Thank you to all of those who travelled over to Stockton, I reckon we outnumbered their supporters.
Next week The Lads are away at our old friends and Rivals Northern RFC, hope to see you there
Jabba
#UTB
#oneclub
