Middlesbrough RUFC v Northern RFC
After an impeccable minutes silence in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the first home game of our 150th season was played against o our old sparring partners from Northern RFC.
The game started well for the home side and their early pressure caused Northern’s No 5 to commit foul play and get himself a yellow card. From the resulting penalty Andrew Baggett kicked for the corner and the ensuing line out, after a great leap from Finlay Magowan saw the ball end up in hooker Joe Sawdon hands who guided the driving maul over the line to score, Andrew Baggett slotted the con 7-0
In the drizzling rain both teams are going at it hammer and tongs, wave after wave of attack and defence comes to nothing. Then Boro are awarded a penalty which Andrew Baggett converts to make the score, our visitors then score a pen of their own 10-3.
Second half begins with Northern in the ascendancy and after a rampaging run from their lock they are awarded a penalty for a seatbelt tackle. 10-6
7 minutes into the second half great attacking from Northern culminating in a try for them and con 10-13
Superb attacking from Boro only stopped by a high tackle Baggy converts this 13-13
Both sides attacking in midfield. Great defence by both causing errors with scrums, penalties and line outs keenly contested.
On the half hour a great Boro attacking move is thwarted by a deliberate knock on by No. 5 who was sent off for a second yellow.
Boro Skipper and MOM Pete Homan scores a try but, alas, this is brought back by the referee for 2 players playing “hand bags” Pen awarded to Northern who clear their lines and attack with vigour.
Heartbreak for the home team when on 36 minutes, Boro kick the ball clear but Northern attack and score a 7 pointer following a kick through 13-20
In the final seconds Northern knock on. Boro attack and win themselves a penalty, they take the ball on and eventually a kick through is picked up by the visitors who kick it out ending the game Boro 13 Northern 20
A proper humdinger of a match by 2 old rivals squaring up with no quarter given by either.
To our heroes in Maroon and Gold, keep your heads up fellas we will probably play worse than today and win
Thank you to all those who braved the conditions to support us today. And also Chairman Philip Tilson who helped me with this report
#oneclub #UTB
May Her Majesty rest in peace
Long Live The King
Jabba
