7 Match 2010

Durham 0 Alnwick 46

Not one of the best games it must be said be putting that aside there were some pockets of exceptional play from Durham, the lads ability to defend evident and as individual players all showed they had skill and talent. What was lacking was team work, communication and an ability to keep cool when all around was conspiring to make it as difficult as possible.

From the off it was noticeable that Alnwick had practiced as a team more frequently than Durham. At 2 minutes in to the game they produced a beautiful drilled piece that took Durham by surprised and ended in the first try. In the next 10 minutes Alnwick persistently worked the ball swiftly from their number 10 out onto the wings to capitalise on Durham's unusually shaped back line. Swarty, Mecca, Tucker, Matty and Harvey persistently thwarted these attempts and we saw a spectacular defense of the try line with Alnwick being forced to regroup and retry. Despite Durham's best efforts the good team work and pace that Alnwick moved the ball led to 2 more tries. To their credit Durham did not get disheartened and worked hard to breach Alnwick's defenses Michael, Sam, Adam and Willey broke through several times to look like Durham might pull the score back. Yet again the difference in teamwork shone through and Alnwick stopped these. Of course it also must be said that Alnwick repeatedly used questionable techniques to turn the ball like killing the ball, and going over the top of their mauling players to take it from our side as we passed it out. With the sun being high and good positioning these went unnoticed so Durham found themselves back footed and another 2 tries were secured by Alnwick. The pack worked hard and at times turned ball with Chris and Hendo quickly passing these to Eddie to move along our line. Unfortunately in one instance an Alnwick player attempted to get round the back of our pack and Hendo cleared him but only to be sin binned; Eddie quickly followed him when he challenged the decision. Down to 13 players the lads showed their grit and determination Humphrey, Warrender, Coils and Mollett pushed the ball forward and defended with equal pace whilst Smithy showed his undoubted skill as a full back. So we went into half time and despite Alnwick constant barrage of attacking play Durham maintained a good formation, covered the gaps to prevent tries being gained.

Into the second half and up to a full squad Durham came out with determination and the game started to take a different slant. Swarty throughout traveled the width and length of the pitch to tackle whilst also making some awesome runs toward the try line and only being stopped at the last breadth. Sam again was king pin and moved at times through Alnwick's side like butter whilst Matty and Tucker became covered in Alnwick players as they strode toward the try line. We saw Willey's quick foot work as he skipped around players and like Swarty had us holding our breadth as he nearly got that elusive try. Smithy took an excellent catch and ran it over half the pitch before passing it out. At this point saw the potential of the lads as a team as we saw Adam and Hendo superbly pass balls along the line, Eddie strategically send it flying to the likes of Michael and Mecca so they could run it through Alnwick and out to Harvey who again proved he has an eye and good time. Then we saw Chris, Mollett, Humprhey, Patty and Coils take the ball and run it up past the halfway or in equal measure play the prevent game at our try line. Throughout Alnwick's relentless on slaughter Durham managed to show flare when tackling and guarding the line. Unfortunately Alnwick had scored another 2 tries and when one of their players was sin binned we couldn't quite capitalise on the gap. Fifteen minutes to toward the end Harvey committed to a tackle and flew through the air but the Alnwick player passed the ball off and this led to Harvey being sin binned for his tackle. By this stage the lads were becoming frustrated and tired and Alnwick secured another 2 tries. But we can say as Alnwick hit out at the lads outside of play, tackled high and hard and were warned by the ref that we equally frustrated them.

It was an interesting match and I'm sure if the lads had trained together as much as Alnwick the outcome would be different. I gained a different perspective with Gav's nephew watching who is a well used level 8 referee (I believe that is up at national level) and 1st team player for the RAF Regiment. He felt that the lads all showed a great deal of talent and skill but need to structure their game and develop/rehearse some moves but felt the team was a strong one that with a bit more work could be excellent. I'm sure this is what Laura tells you all the time.

Next Sunday we play the Semi Final of the County Plate against Hordon and the winner goes on to play either Billingham or Sunderland. So please try hard and get to training on Wednesday so you can be prepared for the match. As usual U17s training is on Tues as well as U16's on Wednesday.

Can people let me or Tucker know if they are going to Boston as I need to sort out the meal etc.

Take care

7th February 2010
Durham 0 Middlesbrough 10

Due to injuries and exam commitments Durham fielded 14 players but we were delighted to see Josh Davies and Adam at the match supporting the lads. Luckily Middlesbrough were able to lend us players.

The match was a real spectators dream with Durham and Middlesbrough both showing passion, pace and prowess. Durham really showed their metal and ability to work effectively as a team. Sam, Eddie and Tucker successfully managed their roles orchestrating the shape of the play, directing and communicating game plays across the team; this lead to us seeing some excellent formations of play. The balls whipped across the pitch, depth was maintained and the game was taken to Middlesbrough . Matty, Michael, Sam and Mecca made valiant attempts to take the ball down to score a try and were well supported by Harvey, Willey, Chris and Robbie as they secured passes and skipped past Middlesbrough players. Twenty minutes of being frustrated by Durham left Middlesbrough resorting to a kicking game, which opened up the opportunity for Smithy to show his skills catching, kicking and moving the ball back into attacking play. However, Middlesbrough did not take this lightly and drove the ball to Durham 's ten yard line at which point we saw Mollett and Robbie, working with Hendo as linchpin, to prevent gaps in defense at the opposite sides of the pitch. Durham managed to keep the ball off the try line for 10 minutes before it finally was secured. Durham took this on the chin and rallied with an awesome charge that nearly earned us a try. In the last 5 minutes, though, the power of Middlesbrough pack just tipped the balance and they scored a second try.

As the spectators slowly became waterlogged and their feet froze to the ground we moved into the second half. Durham returned to the pitch with equal if not more coordinated play than seen in the first half. The pack showed immense physicality repeatedly overturning the ball allowing Harvey to persistently pass the ball out along the line. We again saw Michael, Matty, Sam, Tucker and Mecca make determined pushes for that elusive try. Following several spectacular plays by Durham , which consisted of a superman tackle by Willey, a number superb catches by Smithy which were passes through to Eddie, Chris and Robbie for some fantastic runs. Mollett took a beautiful pass and was just thwarted at the line. Although Durham effectively had 14 on the pitch, as Middlesbrough 's lent player in this half forgot who he was playing for us we kept the match we'll in the attacking half. Durham used their aggression, scrums and communication well to ensure this persisted throughout the second half to constantly knock Middlesbrough back. Hendo used the line outs well to take the ball and deflect on several occasions whilst the lads formed a good driving pack when Middlesbrough successfully secured it. Obviously the pressure Durham kept Middlesbrough under was not to their liking and in the last 6 minutes of play we saw Sam spear tackled to the ground and fighting off his injury to return, only to have a similar experience on two other occasions. With the final whistle we could soundly praise the lads for a well contested and hard fought game where their skills and confidence as a team really shone through.

This week

At present U17s training will be on from 7 to 8.30 pm at the club, on Wednesday we will be training as usual and we are scheduled to play at Darlington. However, before confirming I need to check with them that this is still the case, as I have no idea where they are in the County Cup and what their commitments or playability of their pitches are, but will let you know ASAP.


17th January 2010
County Cup Match - Stockton 19 Durham 17

A remarkable the hard fought match for both teams. Initially we had 14 players turn up and Stockton kindly lent us a player, as they had 18.

From the off Durham took the game to Stockton, we contested the ball well and saw Durham taking the ball up towards the try line on several occasions. The scrum was light in weight but the front row held well and helped Durham steal the ball from Stockton a number of times. The scrum half expertly fed the ball out to our waiting back line; this meant that for the first time Durham could capitalise on the skills of the backs. We saw a tight formation passing the ball and gaining yardage, whilst also supporting Swarty and Sam make valiant attempts to secure the try. Unfortunately 10 minutes into the match after his usual excellent performance tackling and turning over possession Joe with a resounding clatter was knocked out of the match. Thus we were down to 14 players and Stockton quickly took advantage of this scoring a try and conversion. Durham did not flicker and came back with more grit and determination. Mecca caught some beautiful balls and made between 20 and 30 yards with each of his runs, passing off just at the right moment so Durham could keep the play in Stockton's half. Following a trip Stockton gave away a penalty try, which Eddie successfully converted.

Although the rest of the world was frozen Stockton had sun and for the spectators used to a Siberian winter it felt tropical. Durham came out with heart, determination and an ability to dominate the play so again we saw the majority of play in Stockton's half. During a well contested line-out Stockton managed to spot a gap and make a run, which left Durham millimeters from stopping the try. Sadly Stockton could not convert. Durham responded well and Tucker secured a break and hit the try line. Seconds later Sam followed Tucker's lead and we successfully secured a second try. With morale flying high we rucked and mauled well again making it truly our game. Following some impressive play, another player was injured and Durham went down to 13. Stockton kindly lent us another player but even for the 5 -10 minutes at this reduce number Durham were still a force to be reckoned with and kept the game out of their half. The back line continued to apply pressure to Stockton working well as a team to keep the ball moving along the line. Whilst Durham worked hard to repeatedly tackle and take the ball off Stockton in order to maintain dominance. The efficient and effective manner in which Durham moved the ball and worked as a team led to us seeing Michael fly up the line looking for a try, which unfortunately was stopped just at the last moment. We hit the very last play of the match and Durham aimed to kick the ball out of play but the breeze kept it in. Stockton took advantage of the dip in concentration the expected last move caused spotted a gap, then off loaded well to score a try and then convert.


6th December 2009

Gosforth 29 Durham 0

What a game we watched, full of drama, competitive spirit and fantastic play. The lads fought hard throughout and withstood an incredible amount of pressure from the Gosforth side. From the off we saw both Gosforth and Durham playing with determination as both sides attempted to gain dominance over the game. Durham frequently took the ball off the opposition and made Herculean strides through Gosforth often having players hanging off them. A back and forth tussle followed, as neither side wanted to lose ground but unfortunately Gosforth just slipped past and fled to the try line in the first 10 mins. None of the lads lost heart at this and repeatedly worked to take the ball back off Gosforth with some excellent turn overs and tackles. Repeated rucks and mawls formed as the lads challenged and prevented Gosforth moving the ball. The pack often moved over the Gosforth player enabling the hooker to successfully pick the ball out and send it flying to players who then strategically shifted into move favorable positions. Thus, the ball flew down to both sets of wings and Durham made some cracking runs down into Gosforth half. After some fantastic play Gosforth were becoming flustered and unfortunately a little bit of overexcitement led to a Durham player being given a yellow card and sin binned for 10 mins; this did not dampen the lad’s competitive spirit. Within 5 minutes one of the Gosforth players also received a yellow card so the game was evenly matched. However 5 mins before the end of the half a second Durham player received a yellow card. So with 14 lads on the pitch, one would have expected Gosforth to have secured more tries but much credit to the lads this was not the case. Durham put in some awesome tackles and just as Gosforth looked to be on the move Hendo did an incredible tackle, which stopped that move. At this point we saw the game move to kicking as each team tried to get the ball out of their danger zones. Durham’s full back solidly caught each of the balls and managed to run balls up 50 yards but again even with tactical passing the extra coverage Gosforth had prevented a try .

The sun started to shine just as we entered the second half but unfortunately it was on Gosforth's side. Durham moved into the half with a rare determination and concerted effort. Durham made valiant efforts to get the ball over the try line but even with some nifty passes just couldn't quite get there. On another day any of these would have secured tries as the lads tactically passed the ball just as they were being chased down but we were still down by a player so Gosforth had that little bit of advantage. With 15 lads on the pitch we saw the game move predominantly into Gosforth's half just as Durham looked in a solid position to get that try a nippy Gosforth lad took the ball and sped through a gap to gain the 2nd try of the match. Durham showed a lot of grit and resilience unfortunately following a misdemeanor one of Durham’s lads was given a second card, unfortunately red so again we were down to 14 lads. The lads took up the challenge and new legs replaced tired ones and Durham made some fantastic pick ups and runs, nearly getting to the try line. Again the ball moved to Durham's half and we saw an incredible piece of defense where the pack prevent Gosforth secure a try from the 15 yard line on 4 occasions before it finally hit down. However Durham never became defeated and we saw all the lads step up to the mark making sure no more tries were obtained. Following a run of spirited and robust tackles the game end on a wonderful tackle by Joe Thompson, which should go down in the annuals, as he seemed to develop wings and jet propulsion.

22nd November 2009
Acklam 27 Durham 0

The score line certainly does not reflect the hard fought game we watched. Throughout the first half Acklam and Durham were finely matched. Both sides contested each play making sure strong tackles and strong defense lines were permanently in place. Durham worked as a team, pulled off some awesome tackles and closed Acklam players down as they tried to move the ball along the line. Also Willey and Swarty's worked hard to try to get the ball through the Acklam's players and again we saw Willey's fleet of foot, as he skipped around the Acklam line but to no avail, as both were shut down before the 20 yard line. With Acklam's defense line so tight, Durham worked against the wind to kick the ball out of their half and the lads powered down the pitch to claim it, with a number of them reaching players just as they caught the ball. However, irrespective of the lads’ valiant efforts the play tended to be pushed into Durham's half but credit to them they prevented Acklam from obtaining tries and worked hard to move the ball back. Although Durham put up a stoic fight Acklam succeeded in gaining a try and conversion when one of the lads recovered from what appeared to be a bone crunching tackle to get over the line.

As we moved to the second half the wind, biting cold and rain increased. The lads returned to the second half with the same heart and determination seen in the first and we saw Mecca and Coils sustained efforts to prevent Acklam scoring tries and to their credit only one was scored because the player pulled away from Durham whipping down the wing to the try line. Due to injury the scrum (and there were many of them) needed to be re-arranged. The props expertly secured the scrum; this enables the pack to alter so players made good use of their skills in scrum. In the numerous scrum downs Durham fought hard to secure the ball and managed on a couple of times to take it off Acklam.

During the second half 3 further tries were made by Acklam, as they took advantage of the breaks in play from the strict refereeing. Unfortunately the wind was against Acklam and they could not convert any of the 4 tries of this half. Durham did not let this dampen their spirits throughout they stood up to the plate and took on the challenge of preventing Acklam breaking through the defense. On the whole Aklam had the ability to ensure 2 to 3 of their players converged on our attacking lads at each and every turn. Credit to our lads Sam marshaled the team well and throughout the match they never lost heart, which is a strong developmental improvement.

11th October 2009
Darlington 48 Durham 0

Man of the Match - Michael Foster

The score certainly doesn't justify the determined and spirited manner in which the lads played. From the off Darlington were on the attack and trying to capitalise on every move but equally the lads were not prepared to take this lying down. They defended hard against every move and pushed back Darlington's attacking line at every opportunity. However, Darlington's formation and speed of passing led to a speedy winger running down the line to secure the initial try; this was quickly repeated with two more tries. However, credit to the lads it did not dampen their spirits and they held their own and mounted a constant attack on Darlington's line but unfortunately irrespective of some valiant attempts we were just unable to secure that elusive try.

Again throughout the second half we saw the lads mount some cracking lines, grapple with Darlington to win the ball and hold back their attacking formation. The lads put up a spirited attack and equally defended with heart. The lads tackled hard and rucked with a winner’s spirit. Throughout the second half again we saw the determination of a team that were hungry to win. Unfortunately Darlington caught us on the overlaps and with the way they whipped the ball along the line.

Well again it can be said that the lads stepped up to the plate and this match showed evidence of the strength and fortitude of the players. It can be confidently said that the lads have formed as a team and play well off each other and contested every ball to the last second of the match.


4th October 2009
Durham 17 – Westoe 15

A revitalised City took to the pitch on Sunday against Westoe, as side who delivered a convincing defeat the last time to two sides met.

From the off City were competitive, taking the game to Westoe in a very direct and determined form of rugby. As measure of this new found confidence, in the opening minutes City had the opportunity to kick a penalty but chose to run the ball to the line.

It was evident from the opposition reaction, they had planned on it being a re-run of last year, but this City side were determined of denying them that outcome. They tackled and defended every passage play and took their chances when they came.

There were times when City could have moved the ball more and some weakness in the line-outs. But that said it was a fantastic performance by the WHOLE team.

Tries scored by – Brad Kelly, Mark Willey and Alex Swart
Conversion by – Eddy Davison