BIshop Auckland club news
Jan
Bishop Auckland 1st XV 33 v North Shields 0
Bishop were at home to North Shields on a cold wet blustery Saturday afternoon. From the kick off Bishop showed their intent and pushed Shields back into their 22. The scrum went to Bishop and they pushed Shields back and the ball was popped out to Tombling who found the gap and scored the try which he converted 7-0. Bishop were awarded a couple of penalties and scored one of them again Tombling getting the points 10-0. Bishop were working hard in all departments with the forwards rucking and scrummaging well Shields were finding it difficult to get any possession. Flanker Michael Beach was at least a yard and half faster than any of his opposing forwards and was first to each break down where he secured the ball for scrum half Richardson who popped it to Tombling who was in the right place at the right time to score the try. 15-0. There was time for Bishop to get more points on the board prior to half time when Shields were penalized for being offside and Tombling scored the penalty 18-0 to record an impressive first half points tally.
In the away game to Shields earlier in the season we were 18-0 up and capitulated in the second half, however this is a different team to then and no way was there going to be a repeat. From the restart Bishop were once again on the front foot and playing into the wind so the ball had to be moved through hands rather than being kicked. Once again flanker Michael Beach was first to the ball and his pick and carry moved Bishop into the Shields half and the ball was moved from Richardson to Tombling to centre Taff Evans to outside centre Lance Oliver to winger Alan Cassidy to show his pace and round off a fine move with a try which Tombling converted 25-0. Shields came into the game a bit and retained the ball for longer periods but did not create any real chances with it.
Bishop needed another try for a bonus point and Bishops' backs were now more prominent in each move. Bishop got another 3 points from a penalty 28-0. The next move brought the all-important bonus point as once again the backs were involved substitute centre Connor Smith used his power to break the gain line and offloaded to outside centre Lance Oliver who showed his blistering pace to score the try and close out the game 33-0.
A fine performance by the team and the way the game was played the result never looked in doubt, the confidence and belief were back and it showed.
Michael Hole 23 Jan 12
BARUFC U10's v BARNARD CASTLE
The first game or practise for 2012 and you could tell the weather and turkey had taken its toll !!!!!!!! What a disappointing first 10mins Bishop did not look their usual lively selves,they were slow at the start with basic mistakes being made. Then some stern encouragement from coach Peter soon had them back on track. Barnard Castle had a strong defence line but not strong enough to stop Will or Jack, then a scooped up ball from Callum who passed to James who soon had the first try. It was tough going as Barnard Castle proved an even match for Bishop with ball possession probabbly 50/50. With further tries in the first half from Callum and Nathan Bishop looked better, their heads were up, but not for long as the visitors soon pulled a try back.
The half time team talk was interesting however, the team seemed to listen. The second half Bishop had more fight in them and the whole team looked more like themselves. With lots of encouragement from the cheering crowds this seemed to help the home side step up their game. In the final 5mins of the game the whole team pulled together with each player putting in some great try saving tackles, they seemed quicker into the game following a scrum and even quicker with the re takes each time. Barnard Castle did not give up neither did Bishop further tries from Nathan, Jack and Luke saw a much improved 45 v 20 win for them.
WELL DONE: LUKE, JAMES, CALLUM, NATHAN, DANIEL, LIAM, KIERA, JACK, JORDAN and WILL.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK : THE WHOLE TEAM FOR GREAT TEAM SPIRIT.
See you on Wednesday for training 6.30pm
