After a long winter, enforced break since we last saw any Middlesbrough team play live, Boro fielded three teams on Saturday. All three teams finishing with points in the bag. We enjoyed 2 cracking games at home, with the A team’s 22 players playing Barnard Castle 2nd XV. The Wasps entertained Billingham 2nds with 18 players, along with Tom Readman moving pitches in the 2nd half to play well for both teams!
Guisborough 10 – 19 Middlesbrough 1st XV
Middlesbrough Wasps 19 – 7 Billingham 2nds
Middlesbrough 48 – 10 Barnard Castle
On Sunday, the Colts and Junior section games played with the Boro U14s gaining a huge triumph over Hull Ionians in a Yorkshire Cup Thriller. Results in:
Wetherby 22 – 19 Middlesbrough Colts
Hull Ionians 19 – 40 Middlesbrough U14s
Match Reports
Guisborough 10 Middlesbrough 19
After a two week weather delay Middlesbrough got 2025 going with a hard fought victory over local friends and rivals Guisborough
The match kicked off in cold but sunny conditions and the home team taking the fight to the opposition
Seven minutes in and Guisborough are awarded a penalty back chat from Boro moves the ball forward 10 metres giving them an easier shot at goal which they convert 3-0
Just before the 15 minute mark Boro get a line out in he opposition 22 they catch and drive with hooker Joe Sawdon touching down Fly half Shay Barritt converts 3-7
Guis are getting the rub of the green but Boro wing Harry Bryce creates a chance for full back Matthew Marsay who goes close
Another line out this time 30m out has Boro feeding the ball along the backs good hands from Jack Mcphillips Marsay, Aiden Moloney to openside Rohan Brown out wide who puts a lovely ball inside to Marsay to score 3-12
That takes us to HT
The second half was end to end stuff attack and defence from both teams no quarter asked or given
Boro created an attack from deep in their own half superb hands from backs and forwards alike Guis concede a couple of penalties and after a warning from the referee they are reduced to 14 players after a yellow card is issued. Boro cant capitalize and Guis clear their lines
Guis then go the length of the field and score a seven pointer of their own Squeaky Bum time 10-12
3 consecutive drives from Boro sees quick ball recycled creating a chance for Barritt which he gleefully takes and kicks the con himself Final Score Guisborough 10 Middlesbrough 19
That’s all folks
Jabba
Middlesbrough Wasps 19 – 7 Billingham
The Wasps (2nd XV) are up against it today as they play Billingham 2nds. They are always a tough side even away from home. After sustained Boro pressure at the start of this game, a great backs movement and a long pass out wide puts Charlie Bourne in for a score in the corner. The conversion is missed. Boro lead 5. 0.
Boro miss a tackle in the centre of the field, and Billingham’s 13 capitalises, scoring Billingham’s opener. This is converted, Billingham lead 5.7 mid way through the 1st half.
Boro’s pack are working hard to keep the pressure on Billingham. A scrum penalty is earned, and the resulting line out is won. Boro now attack for a long period in Billingham’s 22. Continued pressure leads to a clean ball to our flying winger Aaron Laws who finishes well out wide. The conversion is missed. The score is a slim lead for Boro, 10.7.
In the 2nd half, Aaron Lawes scores his 2nd try, and the conversion is nailed, with Boro leading 17.7. The game is very competitive, with both sides defending waves of attacking rugby, and the final whistle confirming a well earned win for our Wasps.
Middlesbrough A Team 48- 10 Barnard Castle
The A-team (our 3rd XV) started brightly, with good possession and some intelligent kicking to use the wind for good territory. The early pressure led to the 1st try after only 4 minutes. Good hands across the back line put Reece in, finishing well in the corner. 5. 0. Sam PG then kicked a scorcher from the touch line. 7. 0.
From the Barnard Castle (Barny) kick off, DJ collects the ball and makes massive yards with a barnstorming run, bouncing tackles off. Sam PG kicks through and our pacey old campaigner and eventual man of the match Tom Corrigill beats the defenders to score try number two. 12. 0.
After 15 minutes of hard rugby with both sides playing well, Boro have to defend against some strong straight running from Barny’s pack. Then, a turnover ball is used well by Boro, with Tom Corrigill scoring his 2nd, and Boro’s try number 3 out wide, with great pace again. 17.0. Soon afterwards, he comes off with a torn hamstring. Injury or top jug avoidance? Time will tell 😊
More great line out ball by a hardworking Boro pack and the soaring salmon-like Morgan leads to nice hands and try 4 for Tom Laverick on the charge. Sam PG kicks the conversion, and Boro lead 24.0 after a very good 21 minutes of rugby.
A few minutes later, Joe Gasper scores a belter after a brilliant run by Tom Readman. Sam PG converts, and Boro lead with 5 tries and 31. 0.
DJ sets off on another barnstorming run, giving Tom Corrigill some competition for the man of the match award. Irish scores try number 6 in the corner after some good hands, and Boro lead 36.0 after 35 minutes.
The game is very competitive, despite the score line, and after 35 minutes, Barny are finally rewarded for all their endeavour. The forwards work hard to score an unconverted try. 36.5 is the half time score.
The second half is now favouring Barny with the slope and the wind. They pressure well, and use the elements for good territorial gains. Tom Corrigill returns to the action, only to be yellow carded for a swinging arm which was actually fellow auburn-haired veteran hooker Ash Kearney.
Eventually Barney score their 2nd with their man of the match, the prop with number 1 shirt. On 52 minutes, it is now 36.10.
On 60 minutes, Ash Kearney shows his quality with a converted try. 7 tries now, and a score of 43.10. Sam PG has his kicking boots on today.
From the kick off, great hands by Ryan sets up a backs breakaway. A 60-metre long sequence sees Tom Corrigill score our 7th try, showing all that he is not a jug dodger. He scores his 3rd, and the score finishes 48.10. A great game by two hard working teams.
Hull Ionians 19 – 40 Middlesbrough U14s
Boro U14s travelled to Hull Ionians in Round 4 of the Yorkshire Cup on a cold, frosty morning. Boro started strongly, showcasing some excellent possession-based rugby, but Hull’s defence proved to be resolute.
After 10 minutes, Boro broke the deadlock with a pick-and-run move, allowing Finlay Nicholson to score in the corner. Shortly after the restart, Jack Smith’s powerful running created a break, and he crossed under the posts. Christian Boyes added the conversion, extending Boro’s lead.
Hull responded with a superb running try in the dying moments of the first half, leaving the score at 12-5 in Boro’s favour at the break.
The second half began nervously, with handling errors from both sides. However, Boro regained control with a powerful running try from captain Lewis Boyes, followed by Archie Brent crossing the line. Christian Boyes added the extras to make it 19-5.
Hull hit back immediately, scoring straight from the kick-off and quickly following up with another try and conversion, levelling the game at 19-19. This set up a nail-biting final 10 minutes.
In the closing stages, Boro’s powerful pack and dynamic running game shifted into high gear. Further tries came from Harry Fysh, Seth Naughton, and Christian Boyes, sealing a hard-fought 40-19 victory for Boro.
Man of the Match was awarded to captain Lewis Boyes for his leadership and exceptional performance, including a key running try. Meanwhile, Unsung Hero went to Will Foster, whose tireless effort and work rate made a huge difference in the game.
This was a well-earned win, demonstrating Boro’s determination and strength across the team.
