Saturday saw Jarrovians head to Gateshead Fell for an expected tough encounter against an unbeaten side in the league. The end result was not a true reflection of what turned out to be a very close and competitive match.
Perfect playing conditions prevailed and Jarrow saw the return of skipper Brian Shaw to the side after injury and he was able to choose another strong Jarrow side. The game began with both sets of forwards testing each other out and both sets of backs prepared to run with the ball and tackle ferociously.
Jarrovian had two quick chances for penalty conversions, however the distance of both kicks were just too long for either to succeed. Gateshead rallied and their big strong forwards pushed the Jarrow pack backwards and eventually threw the ball out to their inside centre who crashed over the line. At this stage some good performances were identified from Flanker Martin Bengston and Number 8 Davie Winthrop, unfortunately Winthrop had to retire early but was abley replaced by Davie Johnson. Jarrow battled hard for an equalising try before the half time whistle, Hepple and Parker worked some magic down the wing but were unable to score.
The second half began with Gateshead up 7 - 0, Jarrow reacted quicker to the second half whistle and piled the pressure on the Gateshead defence, for the next 20 minutes they remained encamped in the Gateshead half. Centre Calagan and Green tried everything to break through the oppositions defence, but Gateshead tackled with grit and determination and held the Jarrovian team at bay. It was during this pressure that an error allowed Gateshead to kick the ball back into the Jarrow half, the Gateshead fullback chased the ball and managed to touch it down for their second try. Jarrow pushed forward but could not break down Gateshead who ran out worthy winners in a very entertaining match. Flanker Martin Bengston was outstanding and tackled and battled for the whole game and received worthy plaudits as man of the match.
16/10/10 Rockcliff 17 Jarrovians II 24
An away trip for Jarrovians II who fielded a strong team with debutant Rory on the wing and skipper Tony Burn looking for a good result. Playing into the wind with the sun in their eyes Jarroivans started strongly.
Unfortunately the first try went to Rockcliff who scored through their experienced forwards. A second try just before half time seemed harsh on Jarrovians. The half time team talk by skipper Tony Burn was positive and he lead calls for troops to roll up their sleeves and socks for the second half. A quick try again by Rockcliff threatened to take the wind out of Jarrovians sales but a brilliant individual try by scrum half Chris Paige whose pace took him through Rockcliff defence to score under the posts with Jack Weddell adding the conversion.
A long period of possession then followed as Jarrovians pressured for another try with skipper Tony Burn going close only for ball to be held up just short of line. Jarrovians tails were well and truly up and another try soon followed this time by Joe Watson running 40 yards down the left wing to squeeze in at the corner. Just to join in the fun the youthful Neil Metcalf stormed over the line to bring the teams level.
The conversion by Jack Weddell nudged Jarrovians into the lead for the first time. Rockcliff threatened to break through but Jarrovians stout defence held firm under a great deal of pressure. Jarrovians continued to have long periods of possession in the opposition half and for the second week running the Bryan Holman and Joe Watson combination worked again with Joe Watson running at pace to score a second try. The final whistle saw victorious scenes as Jarrovians II celebrate their first win of the season with the team retiring to the scenic Rockcliff bar to celebrate followed by Harras Stag night.
Skipper Tony Burn continues his 100% record.
09/10/10 Consett II 21 Jarrovians 19
Jarrow made the long trek to Consett on Saturday with what looked on paper as a very strong team. That in itself was a positive, to be able to take a full team and replacements into the wilds of Durham is always a good thing. After a two week break many of the players were keen to get back on the pitch and seek their first win of the season. The previous 3 league games had all been very close encounters.
Skipper Shaw welcomed back several players from prolonged absence including inspirational scrum half Gary Archbold, fly half Craig Donald and talented backs Dave Green and Nicholas Hepple. The conditions were excellent for a good game of rugby, however from the kick off Jarrow seemed to struggle to find any rhythm as Consett set their stall out very quickly and attacked through their strong forwards. That said for all the possession that Consett had they finished the first half only 11 points ahead. A strong talk at half time inspired the Jarrow side to turn on the style for the first ten minutes of the second half. As they began to play as a team the forwards drove relentlessly towards the Consett line, after several phases the ball was played out to the backs who made ground into the opposition's 22 area, the ball flowed back across to the Jarrow pack and finally Hooker Chris Whitehead charged over the line for a superb try. Donald converted the two points. Jarrow placed themselves under extra pressure by committing too many penalties, as a result Consett extended their lead to 14 - 7. The introduction of replacements Scott Shorten and strong like a bull Michael Heap added extra impotice to the Jarrow pack, however it was a fantastic move by the backs that created and finished the next Jarrow score. Claymore with a precision pass out to centre Tom Calagan saw yards made, a pop to the continually impressive Hepple who looped a pass to Dave Green who waltzed like Anne Widdicome past the flailing Consett defence to score and and get Jarrow level. The game was delayed for 20 minutes as one of the Consett players appeared to have broken an ankle. As play resumed, the break seemed to work for Consett more than Jarrovians as both sides looked for the win. Jarrow worked a lovely flowing move out to the backs which saw stalwart Hepple charged through and score. Unfortunately the conversion was missed. Consett then battled ferociously as they sought to get back on level terms. With one minute to go therie efforts paid off and they scored under the posts, an easy conversion saw them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and win 21 - 19. Once again Jarrovians found themselves narrowly beaten and realise that decisions during play and not a lack of effort or skill is what has hindered their progress so far. Skipper Shaw is confident Jarrovians fortunes will turnaround and the taste of victory is just round the corner.
2/10/10 JARROVIANS II 15 - NOVO'S 16
A strong Second team with a couple of first team players entertained Novo's to a competitive close fought game. Two well taken tries were scored when upfield kicks were chased down and Novo defence put under pressure with Joe Watson and Bryan Holman crashing over the line to silence the visitors ! With introduction at half time of a couple of first team players Jarrovians looked to add to their lead. The flow of the game however was interuppted by uneccesary penatlies and too much chit chat with the Referree by certain unamed individuals (you know who you are)
With the last play of the game Jarrovians could have snatched a victory only for the David Berry to miss a penalty by a whisker.
25/09/10 Got spanked off Blyth II, 61- something, awaiting report, only saw the second half after getting lost. Jamie B was mom though. Saw Dave Berry conversion but dunno who scored the try. Anyone enlighten me? oh aye and Nathan got sent off for his big Welsh gob. pending disciplinary committee
18/09/10 JARROW PASS TYNEDALE TEST
JARROVIANS 7 TYNEDALE GRASSHOPPERS 17
Jarrovians entertained a strong and well drilled Tynedale side at Luke's Lane in the sunshine on Saturday. The conditions were perfect for open running rugby and so the visitors set about their task with precision and determination, getting off to the perfect start when their backs carved up the home side with consumate ease to score almost immediately. The shocked black and ambers restarted and once again the big, superbly organised Northumbrians ran the home side ragged to score another unconverted try. In danger of turning into a rout the game was slipping away with barely ten minutes on the clock and the muted home crowd had little to cheer about. Tynedale were relishing the imagined try fest. However, stern words from big Welsh skipper Nathan Harris, stiffened resolve and backbones. The resulting display was a revelation and shocked the complacent Grasshoppers. The home side decided to don their tackling boots and began to batter the visitors. Massive tackles from hooker Bobby Whitehead and Dave Berry rocked Tynedale to the core and unnerved the previously confident side. The rest of the first half saw a storming Jarrow resurgence capped with an excellent try courtesy of Gary Archbold senior. The big brutish prop found space when ebbullient scrum-half Gary Arcbold junior, in excellent form, unleashed Graham Lindsley on the crash. The massive number eight punished the defence with a surging run up the midfield . Tying in three defenders Lindsley managed to steal the ball to the gargantuan Archbold who stormed the remaining ten yard and crashed over to keep the home side in touch at 10-7. Continually Taking the game to the visitors Jarrow continued to harrass the opposition, denying the visitors the opportunity to utilise their excellent backs. The in form Craig Donald masterminded the performance from fly half and continually outwitted Tynedale with razor sharp passing and finely measured kicks. Unleashing his backs at every opportunity the Scottish playmaker tormented Tynedale with deft flat passes to debutante rugby league convert Dave Green. The slightly built, deceptively quick centre proved strong in the attack , drawing the defence and slipping the ball to Nic Hepple, who,s lightning pace sorely tested the visitors. Man of the match Dave Johnson was a force of nature seemingly everywhere and creating real problems for the visitors in the loose. His tackling was also a thorn in the side, snuffing out any chance of Tynedale getting into their stride. Jarrow came close to levelling the score when winger Mick Paige broke through the first up defence and sped away down the left wing. Nic Hepple was on hand to take the pass and stretch the visitors further. However a despairing last gasp tackle saved Tynedale and unfortunately Hepple was injured in the effort. Forced to retire the pacey centre was carried off and Tynedale exploited the resultant confusion over substitutions with a well worked try to stretch their lead to 17-7. This was to be the final score despite the best efforts of Martin Bengston and Chris Paige, who both came agonisingly close to scoring in the dying minutes. Ringing the changes the Welsh skipper, in a tactical masterstroke made some clever substitutions to keep piling the pressure on the visitors. On came Brian Berry, Jack Weddell and Jamie Harte to throw youth and fresh legs into the equation. The revigorated Jarrowmen threw everything at the Grasshoppers. Wave after wave of Jarrow attack thrilled and delighted the home crowd in equal measure and Tynedale did well to resist. Despite their best efforts though, Jarrow couldn't break through and the Grasshoppers held firm. However, despite the defeat, Jarrovians can take heart in what was a superb performance against tidy opposition in what may yet prove to be one of their sternest tests of the season.
11/09/10 NOVOCASTRIANS II 15 JARROVIANS 12
Saturday saw Jarrovians travel across the Tyne to play Novocastrians in the league, After last weeks draw against Ponteland, skipper Brian Shaw was looking for further improvement against a strong and talented opposition. A different side from last week started the game due to injuries and enforced absences however it still looked a capable team on the day.The first half saw Novos start with the wind at their backs and this ensured they kept the ball in the Jarrovians half. Things looked fairly even until a couple of unforced errors saw Novos capitalise and make two scores just before half time. Things went from bad to worse when star flanker Davie Johnson was sin binned for an out of character trip on his opposite number, he was followed shortly by stalwart Brian Berry who was yellow carded for infringing around the rucks. Jarrovians struggled to maintain their composure but hung on until half time with the score 12 - 0 in Novos favour. Some serious talking at half time by skipper Shaw and the players ensured that the second half was a different story. With 15 players back on the pitch the Jarrow pack started to charge through their opposite numbers with ease. The scrums were awesome as the pack rampaged through the middle of the park and set up an easy try for scrum half G Archibold. A couple of substitutions were made by Jarrow in an effort to bolster the pack further, for a final onslaught. This resulted in an excellent worked try by the forwards which was finished off by centre T Calaghan. Jarrow piled on the pressure and saw two further opportunities for tries missed as last ditched tackles by Novos kept D Berry and N Hepple from placing the ball down over the try line, numerous unforced errors continued and as a result time ran out for Jarrovians to make up that elusive score. The game ended 15 - 12 to Novos, this will be seen as an opportunity missed by Jarrovians, but heart must be taken by the continued improvement in key areas of play. The team look forward to the visit of Tynedale next Saturday at Lukes Lane, another tough encounter for the young Jarrovians Team.
04/09/10 JARROVIANS 19 PONTELAND II 19
Jarrovians began the new season with a League match at home against a strong, talented and well drilled Ponteland side who were cup winners last year. Perfect weather conditions and a strong Jarrow squad ensured that the game would be competitive and entertaining, and the spectators were not disappointed.
The game started at break neck speed with strong and fast running from the Ponteland backs but the Jarrow defence was unbreakable, with massive tackles coming from Craig Donald and Nick Hepple. The first score however came from the visitors, created by their excellent number 8 who powered through the Jarrow defence and then slipped to their centre. As like last season Jarrovians refused to falter and quickly replied with their own excellent worked try, clever play from scrum half Archibold and fly half Donald saw centre Tom Calaghan score. Both packs were evenly matched which resulted in a bruising confrontation amongst the forwards. It was the Jarrow forwards who made the next break when Calaghan scored his second try of the game after a fantastic penalty move by the Jarrow pack. This time it was Ponteland who responded with a well worked try by their outstanding centre. With 15 minutes to go Jarrovians scored what has to be one of the best tries seen in a long time at Lukes Lane, hard work by Davie Johnson and Graham Lindsay to win the ball back from the opposition saw Archibold pass out to the backs, a fine move from them saw Hepple break through the Ponteland defence as if they didn't exist and he ran 60 metres and past 3 other defenders before scoring under the posts to give Jarrow a 19 - 12 lead. The final 10 minutes saw Jarrow seek to hold out against a spirited Ponteland side, unfortunately for Jarrow they managed to score and bring the match level at 19 - 19. At the final whistle there was no doubt that a draw was a fair result, that said Jarrovians will rue a couple of missed opportunities and silly mistakes. The performance pleased skipper Shaw, hard work at training had prepared the team well and the match was a good starting point for moving onwards and upwards. On Saturdays performance Jarrovians can be confident that they have every chance to compete in the league and challenge for success.
NORTH SHIELDS II V JARROVIANS II
JARROVIANS STARTED THEIR FIRST MATCH OF THE SEASON SLOWLY AND SOME DISJOINTED PLAY COST THEM SOME EARLY SCORES.HOWEVER ONCE THE FORWARDS, EXCELLENTLY LED BY NEW CAPTAIN ANDY BURN, STARTED TO GEL TOGETHER MUCH OF THE HOME SIDES EFFORTS WERE NULLIFIED.
WITH THE TWO YOUNG DASHING HALF BACKS STARTING TO CLICK THE JARROW BACKS THREATENED THE SHIELDS LINE TIME AND TIME AGAIN WITH TONY BURN, TYLER CUFFLIN AND NEIL METCALF ALL GOING CLOSE. UNFORTUNATLY FROM ONE OF THESE SORTEES, THE BALL WAS SPILLED INTO THE SHIELDS HANDS AND THEY INCREASED THEIR LEAD WITH A LENGTH OF THE PITCH RUN.STILL JARROW CAME BACK AND FORWARD DRIVES BY WILSON AND MAXWELL THRILLED THE CROWD. THE JARROW SCRUM CONTINUED TO DOMINATE WITH AN EXERLLENT PERFORMANCE BY SECOND ROWS FARRELL AND BARNEY DESPITE THE SCORE IT WAS FITTING THAT THE VISITORS SCORED THE FINAL POINTS AFTER HARTE THE YOUNGER AND BERRY THE OLDER SET UP A RUCK WELL WON BY THE FORWARDS, FULL BACK AND MAN OF THE MATCH JACK WEDDELL STEPPED UP AND SLOTTED A DROP GOAL FROM 40YDS.
FINAL SCORE NORTH SHIELDS II 35 JARROVIANS II 3