26/04/08 Jarrow beat Durham City by a narrow margin. Awaiting match report
19/04/08 Awaiting match report. The gallant tourists were undefeated at the weekend, which saw some thrilling end-to-end rugby, including a 48-48 thriller on the saturday and an ebullient romp to victory on sunday
12/04/08 Awaiting match report
05/04/08 Awaiting match report
29/03/08
Jarrow were defeated three tries to one against Mowden Park III at Lukes Lane in horrendous rainy conditions.
22/03/08 Jarrowmen Robbed In Cup Drama
Jarrovians 8 Seaham 10
Jarrovians agonisingly missed out on a Durham Plate Final at Seaham on Saturday. In Atrocious blizzard conditions Jarrow had led for most of the semi-final only to have victory cruelly snatched away from them in the final minute. The nervy opening exchanges had seen both sides deadlocked for twenty minutes when Jarrow were awarded a penalty outside the twenty two. Bruce Parker kicked the three points then Seaham reposted inside of five minutes with a penalty of their own to level the score 3-3. Jarrow regained the lead when scrum-half Gary Archbold made a break down the right. Stretching the defence he was tackled shy of the line but managed to pass out left. Full-back Neil Metcalf scooped the ball up and just managed to ground the ball on the try line despite the close attentions of the Seaham defence. Parker missed the conversion but Jarrow remained 8-3 up until the very end. Down to fourteen men after the sin-binning of Dave Johnston for killing the ball the Jarrowmen found themselves encamped on their own try line as Seaham threw everything at them. Superb tackling from man-of-the match Anthony Tiffen and the back row of Phil Mcleod, Mark Greenwood and Phil Cockburn thwarted the home side. However the referee awarded a series of penalties against Jarrow and Seaham kept battering away. The tactic paid off when Seaham eventually drove their huge prop over the try-line to score. The conversion was then taken snatching the lead at 10-8 and heartbreakingly knocking the brave visitors out of the competition.
15/03/08 Jarrovians 30 Chester-le-street 17
Jarrow travelled the short distance to Chester-le-street on Saturday and emerged victorious in a hard fought league game against strong opposition. The home side started well and launched their capable back line at the Jarrowmen taking an early seven nil lead. Stalwart tackling from the back row of Mark Greenwood, Phil Cockburn and inspirational skipper Phil Mcleod snuffed out any further Chester incursions for the remainder of the half. Jarrow then turned the tables on the home side with some fine attacking play of their own. With a solid tight five Jarrow were guaranteed their own ball at the set pieces and scrum half Gary Archbold ensured the backs were unleashed at every opportunity. Man-of-the-match Nicholas Hepple made some telling runs deep into Chester territory and assisted Kev Davey with two of his splendid hat-trick of tries. Chester slugged it out and scored a furhher two tries in an intense ten minute offensive. However, Andy Stanton reposted with a fine solo try, then Hepple himself drove the final nail in the Chester coffin with a scorching try from the half way line. Bruce Parker converted one try and scored one penalty to give Jarrow a 30-17 well deserved victory.
Jarrovians II 0 Novocastrians III 29
At Lukes Lane Jarrow's second string were entertained a positively youthful and superbly well drilled Novos third team. Assisted by a smattering of Washington players who's own game had been cancelled Jarrow found themselves immediately on the back foot as Novos laid seige to the Jarrow try line. Taken aback by the sheer pace and exuberance of the visitors the home side found themselves three tries down within fifteen minutes. Realising salvation lay in the forwards, captain Dave Mcleod made a tactical substitution and brought veteran scrum half Michael Harte into the equation to act as a ninth forward. The tactic was a masterstroke as Jarrow slowed down the pace and sniped at Novo's from the fringes. Keeping the ball tight and denying Novos the possession they craved, Jarrow inched their way upfield and almost scored when Matty Lindsay was driven over the try line but was unable to ground the ball. Novos came back at Jarrow but superb tactical kicking from fly Half Bob Winn pushed them back. Jarrow held firm for fully fifty minutes either side of half time and the visitors were frustrated onlookers. However, ten minutes from the final whistle Novos broke free and scored two tries to earn themselves a 29-0 victory.
8/03/08 No fixture so an exhausting interclub10 a side game ensued instead of the sensible have an afternoon sesh in the bar option
1/03/08 Match Abandoned
Jarrovians had got off to a storming start at Luke's Lane against Rockliffe on Saturday when the match was abandoned after the home side's Captain, Paul Swaddle collapsed. Tries from Chunk, David Berry, Bruce Parker and Scott Shorten then Swaddle himself had given themselves a 26-0 lead when things took a worrying turn for the worst. Swaddle was detained overnight in hospital for observation then happily he was discharged on Sunday. Jarrovians wish Paul well and hope he makes a speedy recovery.
23/02/08 Jarrowmen Bash The Bishop
Jarrovians 41 Bishop Auckland II 0
Unable to field a second team due to reduced numbers Jarrovians put out an experimental line up against Bishop Auckland at Luke's Lane on Saturday. A strong wind was utilised well by the Bishop's fly-half, who effectively nullified Jarrow's best efforts early on with some fine tactical kicking. Clearly superior in the forwards, the home side began pushing Auckland off their own ball at the scrum and outclassing them in the lineout thanks to another cameo appearance from Swiss international and Jarrow stalwart Matthew Docherty. The big second rower had a man-of-the-match performance underlined by his leaping dominance at the lineout and sharply angled running in the loose. Jarrows superiority at the set piece was exemplary. Not only guaranteeing possession on their own put-in, but also stealing opposition ball several times, Auckland were struggling to step up to the mark in the murky world of set piece shenanigins. Given the steady stream of quality possession, and the talent on display, it was sinful that the Jarrow backs made heavy work of converting pressure into points. Indeed Jarrow should have been five tries up had the ball been utilised more effectively. Overlaps were squandered and the scoring pass shunned by the midfield, who were hell bent on taking the more complex, rather than simple route to the try line. It was Jarrow's talented fly-half Bruce Parker who eventually broke the deadlock with a splendid jinking try after fifteen minutes. Nailing the conversion the black-and-ambers resolved to pile on the pressure and took the game back at Auckland after the restart. Full-back Neil Metcalf almost broke through, fielding a high ball then thundering upfield only to be felled by a mighty tackle on the twenty two. Mark Greenwood recycled the ball and set up Parker again who was heaved over the try-line by McCoy and Broadway in support. Parker again converted taking Jarrow into the break with a not too convincing 14-0 lead.
Tactical changes at half time paid off when Broadway reverted to his more comfortable full back role. The Skipper's brutal, bone crunching tackles and raking siege gun kicking from deep were trademarks of a much improved second half performance. Fielding a failed Auckland kick for touch Broadway feigned to kick deep then sidestepped the onrushing attacker passing right to unleash Nic Hepple. The deceptively strong centre took out, no less than four defenders, and managed to find Bobby Whitehead with a deft pass. Playing one of his best games in the black and gold shirt Whitehead drove hard and made inroads into the Auckland half. Up in support was the mighty Docherty, who plucked the popped ball out of the air with relish. He of the furrowed brow made a mockery of the futile defence and stormed the final twenty yards to score under the posts. The genie was now out of the bottle and Jarrow's wishes granted in full. Pace, power and vision. Possessing all three in spadefuls Jarrow began to exert fearsome pressure on the visitors. Docherty's partner in crime, Brian Shaw drove at Auckland from the halfway line. The uncompromising, no nonsense copper just likes to get the job done and smashed through the first up defence to set up the ruck. Young Phil Cockburn picked up and gave the move more thrust up the middle. Tiffen took it on and bulldozed through managing to find big Mal Frasier on the left. Needing no second bidding, Frasier launched himself at the remnants of the defence to score. There was no stopping the home side now and Auckland found themselves pinned back in their own half. Kicking for touch was futile, given Jarrow's dominance, and the scrum was also fraught with danger as Auckland were being bullied off their own put in. Scrum-half Gary Archbold exploited the mayhem from the base of the scrum. Spotting a gap on the blindside Archbold sprinted through using Cooper a s a foil to score in the left hand corner. Another try was notched up soon after by flanker Dave Johnston. The ex pugilist has the pace of a winger and the strength of a heavyweight. In open play with ball in hand he is unstoppable and so it proved to Aucklands cost. The defence had no chance and relinquished the five points with scarcely a backward glance. Fine running from Hepple and Cooper also asked questions but, appropriately it was a Jarrow forward who had the final say. Capping a fine performance, grizzled prop Paul Arrowsmith smashed through the tiring defenders to register Jarrow's final try in a well deserved 41-0 victory.
16th Feb 2008 Houghton Humbled By Metcalfe's Men
Jarrovians 41 Houghton II 5
In the absence of skipper and talisman Jamie Broadway, Jarrovians travelled to Houghton on Saturday, with an experimental squad and the inspirational leadership of full-back Neil Metcalfe. Master tactician Metcalfe called the shots and the Jarrow lads responded with an impressive display of running rugby. The opening exchanges saw Houghton push Jarrow hard and back deep into their own twenty-two. A botched grubber kick went too deep and saw the visitors awarded the twenty-two dropout. An unconventional place to score a try from, but man-of-the-match, and hat-trick hero, Andy Cooper pays no heed to convention and scored a pearler of a try to open his account. Bruce Parker, fully aware of Coopers rare ability, picked out the little try-meister with an inch perfect kick. Cooper raced through and caught the ball scarcely breaking stride. One on one the smart money is always on Cooper and sure enough the Houghton full-back was left grasping thin air as Coops grounded the ball under the posts. Undeterred, the home side kept the faith and harried Jarrow back again. A howitzer kick from their fly-half gave the Jarrowmen a line-out on their own twenty-two. Not much of a problem but, once again, Jarrow's dysfunctional line-out proved costly when a horribly slapped down ball bounced badly and gifted the home side at try to level the score 5-5. Ruing their mistake the black-and-ambers restarted and decided their best chance was to keep the ball in hand. Playing power rugby with the likes of Brian Shaw and Andy Stanton but adding the most delightful and clever attacking skills bore fruit. Exhilerating forward drives from Arrowsmith, a contender for man-of-the-match himself, and owld Davey Hill pushed Houghton back. Scrum-half Michael O'daid picked up from the ruck and darted through. A clever side-step create space on the left then introduced centre Chris McCabe on the crash. The big centre crashed through and spotted Cooper in support. McCabe took the tackle and Coops was unleashed with a short pass. Self belief is all and the feisty winger knows he can beat anybody on his day and no defence is unbeatable. Nothing appeared to be on yet the winger ghosted through the defence like smoke through a keyhole. Parker converted. Houghton responded well and had the armament up front to takeJarrow on. However, there was no way through Jarrow's resolute defence. Bobby Whitehead's sniping low tackles around the fringes of the rucks and mauls snuffed out any Houghton attacks in their infancy. The ball was turned over by Mark Greenwood at the ruck and Jarrow unleashed the back-line again. Bruce Parker saw a gap and stretched his legs to score a mesmerising try from the half way line to extend Jarrows lead to 19-5. As half-time approached Houghton upped a gear and threw everything at Jarrow. However, committing everything to the attack they left nothing in defence, which full back Metcalf exploited. Fooling everybody with, what looked to be a kick to the corner flag, but was actually a cunning bluff with the ball landing twenty yards behind him Metcalf found, who else but Cooper, who completed his hat-trick to take Jarrow into the break with a healthy 24-5 lead.
The home side kept up the pressure from the off but Jarrow kept their shape and composure in the face of the Houghton assault and patiently awaited their opportunities. Opportunity came in the guise of big Andy Stanton. Setting off on one of his trademark bullocking runs he found the Houghton defence wanting and offloaded to Arrowsmith. The big prop was too strong for the home sides backs and he bludgeoned his way through three tackles to score under the posts. Parker converted. The game may have been out of site now for the home side but they gamely refused to say die and ran everything, even from their own try-line at Jarrow. Do or die rugby is commendable but the difference between the two sides became evident as the game reached it's conclusion. Everything Houghton tried was doomed to failure. Impressive and over complex backs moved came to naught. On the other hand Jarrow weaved their own magic and Parkers wand was waved to dramatic and devastating effect. Picking up a loose kick he ran from deep and offloaded to winger Dave Berry. Berry. Sensing Cooper on his shouder, hoofed a beautiful touchline kick. The ball stayed in and Coops gathered. The defence were wise to the little winger by now and closed him down. The tackle was made but Cooper passed left to the onrushing centre Sam Jacques-Smith. Jacques-Smith, whose deft and accurate passing had been a revelation all game had the vision to rifle a pass out right to Dave Johnston in space. The lightning quick flanker fired up the afterburners and scorched over to score Jarrow's finest try of the game. Unfortunately for Houghton Jarrow weren't finished yet. Under pressure on their own twenty two the home side attempted a breakout but were halted by a thumping tackle from Phil Smurthwaite. The ball spilled forward and Swaddle picked up and raced for the line. The silver haired oldster was felled by a gruesome high tackle and a penalty awarded to Jarrow. A quick tap then pop pass to Phil Mcleod was rewarded when the big bruiser of a number eight bounced off the tackles and scored Jarrows final try to take a well deserved 41-5 victory.
see photos of this handsome victory. follow the link on the photo gallery page
9th Feb 2008 Jarrovian's Kings Of Barnard's Castle
Jarrovians 10 Barnard Castle II 8
Jarrovians travelled away to Barnard Castle on Saturday and won a close fought victory against their second team. Castle started well and forced Jarrow onto the back foot with a series of driving mauls. Encamped in their own twenty two the Jarrowmen regained possession but the Barnard winger charged down a frantic clearance kick and scored a well earned try to snatch the lead. Jarrrow responded well and took the game back at Castle. An infringement at the ruck saw Jarrow awarded a penalty which, although a long way out, was converted into three points by the reliable boot of Bruce Parker. The score remained 5-3 for the remainder of the half. After the break a sluggish Jarrow once again found themselves back in their own half and under pressure. Barnard regained the lead with a well struck penalty to take the score to 8-3 and looked increasingly threatening as their forwards threw everything at Jarrow. However, centre Chris McCabe picked up a scuffed kick just inside the Barnard half and scored a magnificent solo try, beating three defenders in the process. Parker converted comfortably to stretch the lead to 10-8. With the scoreboard finely poised Barnard went for the jugular. Stalwart defending and a thumpingly huge tackle from Phil Cockburn denied the home side. Andy Cooper almost increased the lead further with a blistering run down the wing but was hauled down short. From the resulting scrum Barnard mauled their way back upfield and onto Jarrows twenty two. However, hulking hooker Gareth Roberts tore the ball from the Barnard forwards. Scrum-half Gary Archbold found fly half Jamie Broadway, who booted the ball into touch and the Jarrowmen heaved a sigh of relief as the ref signalled full time. Jarrovians 10 Barnard Castle II 8
Jarrovians II 14 Sunderland III 32
Back at Luke's Lane Jarrow's Norsemen were entertaining Sunderland thirds and putting in a good solid team performance. The Wearsiders had only narrowly lost to Jarrows first team three weeks previously so the home side were expecting a tough game, and so it proved. The Wearsiders teak tough forwards expected a walkover but the Norsemens wily forwards proved more than a match. The game was deadlocked for a full twenty minutes before Sunderland eventually broke through. The big outside centre proved to be a real handful all game and created space for his winger to score in the corner. Jarrow, refused to lie down and took the game to Sunderland, with Brian Berry enjoying a man-of-the-match performance and proving a real thorn in the the visitors side. However, the Makems had some useful backs, who have obviously played at a high standard in the past, and they were utilised well to stretch the lead to 22-0 at half time. Sunderland restarted the second half with murderous intent and a previously unseen ferocity. Taken aback, the Norsemen were rocked to the core but held firm and refused to yield. Finding themselves pinned back in their own half full back Will Nelson launched a huge kick deep into the Sunderland Half. Skipper Paul Swaddle stole the line out and fed the ball to Jarrow's backs. An intelligent chip ahead from centre Phil Robson bounced the ball over the visitors try line. The Sunderland fly half tried to ground the ball but spilled it back through his legs and under the arms of onrushing winger Bob Winn who decisively grounded the ball to score. Phil Mcleod kicked a hugely impressive touchline conversion. The visitors reposte was simple and direct and led to two more tries. All credit to the Norsemen however as they refused to crumble and allow the game to run away from them. An incredible ten minutes followed with Jarrow running everything at the Wearsiders. Phil Mcleod made some stunning runs picking up from the base of the scrum and setting up the ruck. The jarrowmen forced Sunderland back and a scruffy kick into touch was turned into a wonder try when hooker Brian Berry took the quick throw. Smurthwaite thundered down the touchline at a blistering pace and made it to the halfway before a desperate tackle brought him down. Cleverly, he popped the ball up to big Jim Moore. The burly, yet surprisingly nimble fly half handed off the tackler then set off at a greyhounds pace. With three defenders in hot pursuit and closing rapidly, Moore made it under the posts and scored a triumphant try. George Taylor had the final say with a nice conversion and the scoreline reflected a spirited game at 32-14
2nd feb 2008 both fixtures cancelled due to frozen pitches
Double Trouble for Washington
26th Jan 2008 Jarrovians 17 Washington 0
Jarrovians cruised to the top of the second team league in a 17-0 home victory against Washington on Saturday. Andy Cooper opened the try scoring for the home side twenty minutes into the game chasing down a superbly executed cross-field kick from fly half Sam Smith. The score stayed at five nil for the remainder of the first half despite Washington's best efforts. Impressive tackling from Bruce Parker in particular maintained the home sides slender lead. The second half, however was a different story as the Jarrowmen went up a gear and laid seige to Washington's try line. Cooper crossed for his second try assisted by a deft pass from number eight Mark Greenwood. Nicholas Hepple also made some superb breaks and was unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet. It was winger Dave Johnston who sealed Washington's fate with Jarrows final try. Bruce Parker converted to earn the home side a 17-0 victory.
Jarrovians II 40 Washington II 5
Meanwhile, on the other Luke's Lane pitch, Jarrow's second string went to work against Washington seconds and emerged victorious in an eight try demolition. With ranks swelled by South Tyneside College refugees and returning sons Jarrow were in optimistic mood. Their optimism proved well founded when Jarrow entertained the crowd with Barbarian style free-flowing champagne rugby. With ageing veteran Bob Winn at fly half the game is always going to be an open and joyful affair and so it proved. The wily veteran orchestrated his backs with a finesse rarely seen at Luke's Lane these days and the tries came as sure as night follows day. Scrum half Mick Young opened the scoring with a try from a rolling maul after ten minutes. There was no stopping Jarrow now and the floodgates opened. Guest and former Jarrowman Terry Kirkham, playing in unfamiliar territory in the backs proved to be a real handful at outside centre and terrorised the Washington defence in the first half. Inside centre Ed Young had a superb man-of-the-match performance and utilised his centre partner with devastating effect to gift the big College man the second Jarrow try. Washington were up against it now but to their credit the tackles were hard and uncompromising making Jarrow graft hard to increase their lead. Veteran winger Bryan McCoy crossed for a well deserved try after several futile attempts were thwarted by lightning quick Washington backs. Arrowsmith and Scott Shorten heaped on the agony for Washington with another two tries to give Jarrow a comfortable half time lead. Jarrow skipper Paul Swaddle sportingly rang the changes at half-time to give everyone a run out. The veteran back rower unselfishy elected to stay on the pitch himself in order to lead from the front and inspire his side to greater deeds. On at fly half was Jarrow's returning prodigal son big Jim Moore, who carried on with a man-of-the-match Winn style of play , much to the crowds pleasure. The rotund, but nimble veteran strode the pitch like a collossus and fired up Jarrow to devastating effect. Scrum-half Phil Smurthwaite unerringly found the burly fly half with laser guided precision to unleash the talented Jarrow backs. Also returning to the fold was Aidan Berry. Always in the shadow of his older, more talented siblings Brian and Kevin, the youngest of the Berry brothers always plays as if he has a point to prove and huffed and stormed around the park with belligerent aggression. Father and son duo Dave and Phil Mcleod also made a welcome cameo appearance. Jarrow celebrate thirty years of rugby in 2008. This is a mere blink of the eye to gnarled veteran prop Dave Mcleod who is twice that age. Incredibly the grizzled veteran turned sixty in the summer. Does this mean the teak-hard prop has never represented the under thirtys for Jarrow? Probably, but nevertheless the battle hardened veteran belied his age to lay waste to the Washington front row and provide Jarrow with a steady platform to work from. Washington had started the second half well with a try of their own but this proved to be a momentary lapse in the grand scheme of things and Jarrow got back into the groove when young Ed stormed over for a superb try. Dan Simpson also launched his, not inconsiderable bulk, at the visitors and was unlucky not to score when he was cleverly held up over the try line by the hugely strong Washington number eight. Washington were now struggling and Jarrow silkily moved up through the gears and launched an all out offence at the visitors. Phil Mcleod stormed over to score in the corner and Matty Lindsay should also have found himself on the score sheet. However, the grey haired veteran was showboating with a theatrical dive and in his attempt to spike the ball he foolishly dropped it, much to the annoyance of his teammates. Despite this momentary lapse Jarrow again laid siege to the Washington line and Dave Wilson-Young finished off with the coup de grace to give Jarrow a healthy 45-0 victory.
Jan 12th 2008
The winning margin might suggest this was a fraught affair but Sunderland never threatened to retrieve the deficit after they fell behind to a wonderfully contrived Jarrow try after five minutes. The jarrowmen had crossed the Wear full of optimism with a young and dynamic line up bolstered by a smattering of students and a couple of rugby league converts. Sunderland had started well and forced Jarrow back into their own twenty two. Jarrow knew they had a game on their hands up front and wisely opted for a wider game. The Jarrow pack responded to the Wearside threat magnificently and Mark Greenwood, a wearsider himself, turned over the ball at the ruck. Skipper and scrum half Gary Archbold sensed the opportunity and fired the ball out left to waiting fly half Bruce Parker. Parker ghosted through the first up defender and held the ball up in the tackle. Centre, Hepple was straining at the leash and once he received the pass the move looked to have died in its infancy when two defenders converged on him in a pincer movement. Remarkably though Hepple, although slight of build, is deceptively strong. He burst through the tackles with distain and cruised the remaining thirty yards to claim the try. The conversion was missed and Jarrow awaited the restart. Sunderland’s response was ferocious and their big powerful forwards drove hard at the visitors. However, Jarrow were imbued with a heightened sense of belief and their defence was more than a match for their hosts. Man-of-the-match Phil Cockburn and Dave Johnston in the back row were simply awesome and knocked the stuffing out of the Sunderland pack. Every attack was snuffed out with massive all encompassing smother tackles and bone crunching leg breakers. The tackles rocked Sunderland and they were visibly shaken by the ferocity of the defence. One such mighty tackle from winger Phil Smurthwaite caused the full back to spill the ball. Bobby Whitehead swooped on the ball like an eagle on a rabbit and the sprightly hooker sprung to his feet and surged forward. A flash of a hand off then a nifty side step created space. Parker in support, gratefully took the ball and selflessy released Hepple into acres of space. The young centre sprinted home to rousing cheers from Jarrows vociferous band of travelling supporters. Parker converted and increased Jarrows lead to 12-0. As the battle raged towards half-time Jarrow seemed to find yet another gear and conspired to crush any Wearside recovery. Jarrovians, perhaps for the first time this season, really gelled and looked like formidable opposition to which Sunderland had little repost. Another blistering move increased the gap from a Jarrow line-out. Text book committing the man then passing saw the ball whipped along the line. Andy Cooper appearing on the other wing passed to Dave Bigg. The burly number eight showed a remarkable turn of pace and bounced off the would be tackle to take Jarrow into half-time with a 17-0 lead.
After the break the Wearsiders knew they had to strike and strike now. They threw everything at Jarrow but the defence held firm. Encamped on their own twenty two and struggling in the scrum Jarrow inevitably conceded the penalty but were comforted by Sunderalnd’s option of taking the points rather than take on the unshakeable defence. Five minutes later a perplexing decision awarded them another penalty which was converted to narrow the gap 17-6. From the restart Andy Cooper made a break down his touchline. The little winger was closed down but he still relished bouncing the hooker, three times his size into touch. Greenwood stole Sunderland’s line-out and set up another Jarrow attack. Once again Jarrow’s capable backs had the measure of the ponderous Wearsiders and young Ed stormed over for another try. 23-6. Sunderland sought to engineer a recovery but dynamism was in short supply and their errors increased. In the end they managed a solitary try to regain a little respect but Jarrow had their day and were left celebrating a proud and entertaining league victory. Final score 22-13.
Jan 5th 2008 AL QAIDA ASSISTED JARROW SLUMP TO DEFEAT
JARROVIANS 0 ALNWICK II 17
Jarrovians entertained Alnwick seconds at Luke’s Lane on Saturday and had their ranks swelled by a stellar cast of guests. Luxembourg international Matthew Docherty(sans dwarf) made an appearance at second row, Dave Winthrop made a welcome return from injury again, and amazingly, none other than Osama Bin Laden, guested on the wing. Docherty, with or without dwarf, is a familiar face and an ex Jarrovian stalwart, as is Winthrop, but Bin Laden was a complete surprise. Evidently the Islamic fundamentalist, having a break from his Jihad, picked up a Jarrovian “go play rugby” beer mat in Hebburn watering hole The Clock. Apparently the bearded fanatic was a tasty flanker back in the day and fancied a run out so he popped along to Luke's Lane to sniff out a game. He couldn’t persuade Club Captain Jamie Broadway to play him at openside and Broadway, in true Jarrovian tradition elected to give him a run out on the wing to “see what he’s like”. The decision proved justified as the Al Qaida terrorist leader proved to be a revelation. Evidently living in a cave in Afghanistan hasn’t affected his fitness too badly as the terrorist training camps are quite demanding physically. Initially his cries of “Allah Akbar” and “death to the infidels!” going into the tackle unnerved the opposition, but things soon settled down when they were assured he was unarmed. Jarrovians started well in the initial exchanges and tested the visitors defence to the limit. The line out was functioning well with Docherty and Shaw dominating the aerial battle. Winthrop and Cockburn were industrious around the fringes and setting up the Jarrowmen with a steady stream of possession. However, despite their best efforts the home side couldn’t string the moves together to cross the try-line. It was Alnwick who broke the duck after twenty minutes. A series of furious rucks and mauls had drove Jarrow back into their own twenty two and sapped the black and ambers strength. The big Alnwick number eight peeled off the back of a maul and drove his way over the line despite the attentions of the hard tackling Brian Berry. The try, against the run of play, shocked Jarrow and unsettled their rythmn. The remainder of the half was spent defending and holding off wave after wave of Alnwick attack.
The second half started miserably for Jarrow when a lapse of concentration from the kick off saw the Alnwick winger score in the corner. Jarrow were twelve nil down and had to act swiftly to prevent the downward spiral. The rallying call went out and Jarrovians responded magnificently. Turning the game on it’s head Jarrow found themselves encamped on the Alnwick try line. Strong running from Dave Johnston and David Berry had struck up the midfield and forced Alnwick back. The forwards rucked the ball on and Arrowsmith drove for the try. He didn’t make it but was able to lay the ball back. Greenwood had a go, as did Berry and Shaw but frustratingly the try never came. Had the ball found it’s way out to Bin Laden or Johnston the outcome may have been different. However Alnwick wriggled off the hook and hoofed the ball into touch. Jarrow’s dominance looked to be over as Alnwick inched their way back upfield. The tiring Jarrowmen held their own and made the visitors work hard but were beginning to lose it in the rucks. A turnover ball saw Alnwick romp over and stretch their lead to 17-0. Jarrow now had it all to play for and once again threw everything at the visitors. Unfortunately the over zealous Bin Laden almost decapitated his opposite number in a high tackle. The referee was incensed but, perhaps wisely, the red card stayed in his pocket with the unspoken threat of a fatwah hanging over his head. None could blame him. The game wound down as both sides negated each other and a disappointed Jarrow retired to the bar on the end of a 17-0 defeat. Bin Laden, after a pie and a pint and boring all and sundry with his rhetoric about sharia law and the great satan was last seen heading for a Metro to the town for the Salman Rushdie book signing at Waterstones.
Spot Bin Laden in the photos. Follow the link on the gallery page
Dec 29th 2007 GALLANT JARROW GO DOWN FIGHTING
Jarrovians 17 Gateshead III 33
With bellies full of turkey and livers full to the point of overflowing Jarrovians dispatched a platoon of gallant revellers on a sojourn to the deepest darkest depths of Gateshead to take on Gateshead’s third team. Eyebrows were raised on arrival when it was disclosed by the home side that the hosts first and second team fixtures had been cancelled. Never a side to be out phsyced the men in black and amber took to the field full of optimism and endeavour.
The first half saw the Jarrowmen kick into the wind. Tactical genius and scrum-half Gary Archbold knew what was required and decided that using the grizzled veterans in the Jarrow pack to play the home side at their own game would be the appropriate ploy. Man of the match for the second week running Matty Lindsay was a colossus in the second row, smashing into the rucks with the ferocity of an enraged hippopotamus. Whenever Archbold needed a battering ram to decimate the opposition fringe defenders Lindsay was more than happy to oblige. The dazzling sidestep of yesterday is still in his armoury but more often than not Lindsay decided that the steamroller impression was more effective. The game ebbed and flowed with both sides determined to draw first blood. It was epic, full blooded, end to end rugby keeping the home crowd entertained. However, it was Gateshead who eventually succeeded. Fifteen minutes into the game the Jarrow line was finally breached when, for once, the Jarrow forwards failed to make their tackles. Gateshead converted. Undeterred, the Jarrowmen regrouped and some outstanding forward play from Mcshawsy and Brian the Rippleberry saw the opposition concede a penalty under the posts. Maverick Captain Jamie Broadway, never one to play by the rule book, for once decided the safer option of a Bruce Parker penalty attempt would suffice on this occasion. Inevitably the sticks were duly bisected. 7-3.
Just as Jarrow looked like they may trouble the scorers some more, ex Westoe scumbag Kiwi Magnes Leask (whom by the way must surely have exceeded his permitted visa time by now) playing at number ten for the hosts turned the screw. His long ranged kicking pinned the Jarrowmen back deep in their own half. The outcome was two more tries resulting in a 19-3 lead to the home side going into the break.
The first half had seen the usual granite hard Broadway outclassed by the Gateshead fly half, frequently side stepped or brushed aside with distain. The Jarrow mamagement recognised that additional muscle was required. Enter Phil “Rocky” Cockburn, shaggy haired throw-back from Neolithic times. His aggression in the tackle and powerhouse running provided the under siege Broadway the space to maneouver. Cockburns presence distracted the Gateshead midfield sufficiently to allow the sublimely quick Hepple, Parker and Cooper to run riot. The Gateshead line was breached at will and on one such occasion lively winger Andy Cooper broke through on a searing sixty yard run. Facing three defenders on the twenty two Cooper intelligently fired out a long pass to support runner Archbold, who scorched past the winger to score. Parker converted to make it 19-10. Jarrow continued to lay siege to the Gateshead line and forced the home side onto the back foot. Throwing caution to the wind the Jarrowmen found themselves attacking from deep. Fielding a high kick fullback Metcalf stepped the would be tackle and offloaded to Arrowsmith who handed off his man and slipped the ball to Simpson. The burly flanker set of on a rhino like charge. Bouncing two defenders he managed to give enough space to Parker, who ruthlessly exposed the slack defence and scored in the corner. Converting his own try Gateshead now found themselves on the rack with Jarrow in the ascendancy and the scoreboard at 19-17. It seemed as if Jarrow might take it. However, Gateshead made some substitutions and their fly half began to show his tactical nous to wrestle control from Jarrow. Taking the game by the scruff of the neck he conspired with his talented number twelve to force Jarrow back through the midfield. Jarrow tackling was strong and determined but Gateshead just kept coming. Setting up effective rucks and attacking from the fringes proved a successful tactic and earned Gateshead a try to take them to a more comfortable 26-17 lead. Jarrow bravely stuck at it but in the end Gateshead proved too strong and scored another converted try to make it hard won 33-17 victory
22nd Dec 2007 Jarrovians Christmas Turkey
Jarrovians 16 Washington 36
In near perfect conditions at Luke’s Lane on Saturday Jarrow frustratingly threw away a 16-0 lead. The Jarrowmen had spread festive cheer among the home crowd with a strong forward orientated start. Dominating the Washington pack the front row of Berry, Roberts and Arrowsmith turned the screw in the set pieces and played deep into the visitors half. Broadway, at fly-half, kicked with precision and intelligence to keep Washington at bay. However, it wasn’t all about power and thuggery. Broadway also unleashed his talented back line when appropriate. Metcalf at full-back and looking more like the finished article with every game came into the line to add thrust. On one such occasion the burly full-back cut through the line rapier like then a breathtaking sidestep bewitched the defence to create space on the left for winger David Berry to exploit. The nimble winger hot footed it down the touchline and the try looked odds on. However the equally quick Washington wing hunted him down and tackled him five yards short. From the lineout the soaring Mark Greenwood stole the Washington ball and found Lindsey. The Washington lineout, with unbelievable courtesy stepped aside and, almost apologetically, allowed Lindsey through unchallenged. With undisguised glee the veteran second row dived over to claim Jarrow’s first try. Two earlier finely struck Bruce Parker penalties now stood Jarrow in good stead with a convincing 11-0 lead. Washington looked a shabby outfit by this stage and Jarrow stepped up another gear and threw everything at their beleagured opposition. Scrum-half Gary Archbold used the ball well to give Broadway, Parker and Simpson the ammunition they needed to cut and thrust with devil and panache. The black-and-ambers second try came from some Broadway skulduggery par excellence. The ebullient fly-half drew the defence left then, with sleight of hand, introduced the onrushing Lindsey centre stage right. Christmas had come early for Lindsey and the grey haired oldster twinkle toed it over the line with a maniacle grin to score his brace and stretch Jarrow’s lead to a, seemingly unassailable 16-0.
Perhaps it was complacency, perhaps fatigue. Whatever it was things then took on a distinctly pear shaped feel. From the scrum Washington made a back row move and attacked from Jarrow’s twenty two. Lindsey was hoisted by his own petard when the number eight outsmarted him with a ludicrous sidestep. All Lindsey could do was grasp at thin air as the marauding forward thundered towards the line. Jarrow defence was not forthcoming and the big guy scored on the stroke of half time to give the visitors a boost before the break.
After the restart Washington looked a different side and immediately scored again through slapdash defence. The home crowd groaned as the drama unfolded before them. It became apparent that Jarrow’s defence was having an off day and not up to scratch. Embarassingly Washington went on twenty minute try spree to spoil Jarrow’s Chrismas party and steal a 36 16 victory.
December 15th 2007 Jarrow 5 Alnwick III 26 I think, let me know please
December 1st 2007 HEROIC DEFEAT FOR SWADS SQUAD
Jarrovians II 0 Ashington III 55
Jarrovians second string started poorly against a strong, well drilled Ashington III team on Saturday, then never recovered for the remainder of the game. From the very kick-off nothing seemed to go right for Jarrow. The, normally reliable, Bruce Parker right boot horribly scuffed the kick two yards instead of the requisite ten. Ashington, with big brutish forwards, opted for a scrum then heaved the visitors backwards. The ball was lashed out to the backs who ghosted through to score, seemingly unopposed. Jarrow restarted. Unfortunately the ball went straight into touch, gifting Ashington possession again. Alley oop, the same trick was repeated and Jarrow were two tries down with barely three minutes on the clock. The patience of the Jarrovians travelling supporters club was being tested to the limit. There were quiet mutterings of things not possibly getting any worse, which proved wholly unfounded when things promptly did. Another restart, another Ashington try. This was now in danger of becoming an embarrassment. However, to their credit, the valiant Jarrowmen with stiffened upper lips and backbones raised their game and slowly lifted themselves out of the mire. Realising they were up against quality opposition the black and ambers rallied and began tackling as if their lives depended on it. Phil “Rocky” Cockburn, returning from injury, was an inspiration and rose above the mayhem like a shining beacon to spur his fellow backs on to great and stirring deeds. It was these who prevented the rout. Parker, Hepple, Cooper and Nelson in the thick of the action and no inch of the park uncovered, with ferocious and committed tackling. The home side, plugged away, an unstoppable force. A band of teak hard veterans with a smattering of youth, they battered and worried the Jarrow defence. Murderous in the rucks and mauls, swift and evasive in the loose, they sapped Jarrow’s energy and scored another two tries to go into the break with a comfortable five try lead.
Jarrovians, restarted with a reshuffled lineup. A rapidly sobering Gary Archbold came off injured throwing the gauntlet down to drinking buddy Jamie Broadway. Inspirational scrum-half Phil Smurthwaite made way for promising young newcomer Michael O’Michael, who had been starring on the wing for the opposition. The two carried the Jarrow colours with valour and helped stiffen resolve in the backs. Ashington continued their assault on the Jarrow lines with little success initially due to improved Jarrow efficiency. Even the forwards were now tackling. The grizzled trio of combat scarred veterans Lindsay, Hill and McKeown defied their combined ages of one hundred and fifty three to set about the opposition with a craft and guile that can only be learnt the hard way. No quarter was asked or given and there were audible winces from the crowd as the juggernauts collided. Grown men blanched, women swooned and children cried amidst the fury. Jarrow began to grow in confidence and began asking questions of the Ashington defence. Hooker Brian Berry took the ball on and, with a grace that appeared to be almost in slow motion, rounded the tackler then passed slickly to Hepple. The lightning quick centre stepped his man and Jarrow hope soared. Alas, the relentless Ashington defence swarmed up and the move died in it’s infancy. This proved to be the rythm of the second half. Jarrow were bravely taking any inch of space allotted to them by the unforgiving Ashington machine. Twinkle toed escapades from Parker ,Cooper et al, in other games bear fruit. However in this fixture they were snuffed out ruthlessly by a wily and knowing Ashington side. Jarrow, despite their commendable throw-caution-to-the-wind attitude were outsmarted and outplayed by a very good Ashington third team. The home side proved too much of a handful and scored three more tries in the second half to win a deserved 55-0 victory.
See Photos of this epic encounter. Follow the link on the gallery page
November 24th 2007 Horden Snatch Victory at the death
Jarrovians 15 Horden III 22
Jarrovians entertained a strong Horden III team at Luke’s Lane on Saturday and led for most of the game only to have victory snatched away from them at the death. It had all started well enough for the home side when young Dave Johnston, in only his third game for Jarrow, scored a superb solo try down the right wing. The try came after Horden had ominously smashed the Jarrow pack back towards their own try line in a rumbling rolling maul. The big heavy visitors looked to have the upper hand, but Jarrow's pack responded magnificently and upped their own efforts to regain parity and take the game back to Horden. Despite all of Hordens efforts they couldn’t cross the try line and Jarrow managed to heave them into touch. Brian Berry’s laser guided lineout throw to the imperious Brian Shaw ensured possession and skipper Jamie Broadway hoofed the ball upfield. Horden botched the lineout and the ball found pack leader Mark Greenwood. The ginger Yorkshireman set up the ruck beautifully allowing Archbold and Broadway to unleash the backs. A clever mis-pass to veteran centre McCoy, sporting bizarre socks as some dirty thieving scoundrel had pinched his prized “Jarrovians” socks, cleared space. Phil Smurthwaite, sensing glory, had intelligently come off his left wing and took McCoy’s pass with relish. Cutting back inside he gave the move more thrust and slipped the ball out to Johnston coming up at a greyhounds pace. The fresh faced newcomer sped up the right touchline and looked to be running into trouble when Horden’s cover defence shepherded him further towards touch. However, there is no answer to sheer pace, strength and determination. Happily Johnston has all three in spades. No less than three hapless defenders found themselves shrugged off and trampled over as the strong winger dived over to score in the corner. The visitors had scarcely come to terms with the try when Jarrow struck again. Horden thought they had the upper hand in the forwards department and stuck rigidly to their game plan, but Jarrow refused to be dominated. A turnover ball from the industrious Paul Swaddle gave the Jarrow backs another bite of the cherry and Andy Cooper, came storming into the line from full back. Ever alert Bruce Parker cleverly popped the ball and the diminutive crowd pleaser was away. Always a threat with ball in hand the jinkster displayed a clean pair of heels and weaved his way, in customary fashion, to the try line and five points. Jarrow 10-Horden 0. Jarrow now had the bit between their teeth and ran their opponents ragged. The cavalier and slick fly-half, Broadway unleashed havoc on the visitors and let slip his pacey backs at every opportunity. Rich rewards come to the adventurous and so Gary Archbold, awarded a penalty for a Horden infringement on the half way took the quick tap. Sidestepping the first defender, he sprinted clear and outpaced the defence to score Jarrows third try. Horden’s response was to stick to their forwards biased game and pummel their way upfield. Jarrow slugged it out toe to toe and inevitably the fine line between lawful and unlawful was crossed. Fists flew and the yellow card was flourished. Brian Shaw, on the receiving end of foul play himself, lost the plot and the big scotch copper was sent to the bin. Incensed, his partner in crime Neil Smyth, disgracefully pointed at and brazenly advised the referee to calm down. He too found himself with ten minutes to reflect on his shameful folly(claimed to be his first sin-binning, but difficult to believe after this outburst). Now down to thirteen Jarrow found themselves on the receiving end of some punishing rucks and mauls. Stretched to the limit they were battered back. A brave but ultimately poor tackle from McCoy in the midfield allowed the Horden full back to slip through and take the score to Horden 5 Jarrow 15 at half time.
After the break Horden restarted with passion and fury from the word go. Now opting to use their backs Horden went into attack mode but once again stalwart Jarrow tackling denied them for the first quarter. Utilising the wind well Broadway’s howitzer kicking kept the visitors pinned back but the Horden machine rumbled on refusing to give in. The big Horden forwards forced their way upfield and scored another try to narrow the gap to 15-10. Desperate defending from Jarrow maintained the lead but still Horden refused to give up. Man-of-the-match Dave Johnston made a superb try saving tackle chasing from deep. His opposite winger was certain to score and thinking about his try celebration when Johnston stormed up unsighted like a cruise missile and forced the knock-on. From the scrum Jarrow found touch and Horden won the lineout. Their big number eight battered through and, despite a huge thumping tackle from Bob Winn, scored a controversial try to level the score. Kicking the only conversion of the game Horden snatched the lead 17-15 and broke Jarrow hearts. Time was against them but the valiant black and ambers threw everything at the visitors. Alas, committing everything to the attack, the defence was found wanting and Horden scored again to steal a 22-15 victory.
November 17th
Rennaissance Aycliffe Run Jarrow Close
Jarrovians 34 Newton Aycliffe 31
It all started well enough for Jarrow on Saturday with a try inside of two minutes courtesy of grizzled veteran Matty Lindsay. Dominant throughout the first half the home side almost let the game slip away after the break when Newton Aycliffe conjured up an effective attacking game from seemingly nothing. Jarrow’s dream start came immediately from Aycliffe’s kick-off. Neil Smyth caught the ball and found Dan Simpson. The burly fly-half bounced the tackler then found space up the middle. Committing the defender he slipped the ball to Bruce Parker to create the overlap. The move looked to have lost momentum when Parker shunned the pass to winger Phil Smurthwaite, who would surely have crossed the line had the ball found him. Perplexingly Parker dummied then cut inside into the arms of the grateful Aycliffe defence. Luckily though, Linday was on hand to tear the ball free then storm the remaining ten yards to score. Parker converted. From the restart Simpson launched the ball down the right. The Aycliffe fullback had no option but to return the ball to give Jarrow the lineout. The reverend Andy O’Burn gathered the throw and formed the maul. Unusually for Jarrow the forwards outmuscled the visitors and rolled the maul inexorably towards Aycliffes try line. Ginger flanker Mark Greenwood peeled from the back and carried two defenders over to ground the ball and stretch Jarrows lead to 12-0. The try fest continued when crowd favourite Andy Cooper entertained with a typical lung bursting sixty yarder. The little winger completed his brace when ever improving full-back Neil Metcalf set off down the left on a mesmerising run taking on two defenders then grubber kicked through for Cooper to pick up. With work still to do the slight, but deceptively strong wing was tackled twice but bounced back up and gleefully crossed the line. Soon after Bruce Parker restored credibility with a fine try courtesy of strong direct running from old warhorse Colin McKeown and man-of-the-match Andy Stanton. Newton Aycliffe managed a try of their own but were well out of it by half time at 34-7 and staring down the barrel of a possible rout. The home crowd were expectant after the cut and thrust of the first half and rubbing their hands at the imagined try romp to follow. Aycliffe, however had other ideas. Perhaps it was complacency on Jarrows part or possibly they were just outplayed. Whatever it was, Jarrows foot was firmly off the gas and Aycliffe were slickly moving up through the gears. Despite hard tackling from forwards Arrowsmith and Roberts Aycliffe found a way through and scored a second try. Visibly growing in confidence Aycliffe made good use of the wind to keep themselves in Jarrows half. Their backs whipped the ball about with verve and vigour and Jarrow appeared frozen, like a rabbit in the headlights. The black-and-ambers had the beatings of Aycliffe in the forwards but seemed stuck in a failing game plan, opting to introduce the backs at every opportunity when a tighter game was more appropriate. One ludicrous long lazily looped ball from skipper Broadway gifted the Aycliffe backs the ball and led to another try. Aycliffe’s rennaissance continued and they chipped away at Jarrows lead finding themselves back in contention at 34-31. However, it was not to be their day and Aycliffe rued missed conversions while Jarrow’s first half lead was good enough to maintain the status quo. A well earned victory for Jarrow against a side who, last season would probably have shaded it. See photos of this game. Follow the link on the gallery page
November 10th
First team game cancelled due to no backs, then College rang and cancelled the seconds
November 3rd
Jarrovians 27 Winlaton II 7
Jarrovians travelled to Winlaton on Saturday and notched up an impressive victory against fancied opposition. A supercharged hat trick from fiesty winger Andy Cooper was the star turn but his tries came courtesy of an ebullient scrum half display from Gary Archbold and some intelligent place kicking from skipper Jamie Broadhead. Centre Dave Bigg opened the scoring with a bullocking run up the middle, converted by Bruce Parker. The home side reposted with a try of their own, soon followed up by another to take the lead 10-7. However this was to be their last and Cooper struck with his first bobby dazzler to regain the lead going into the break. Jarrow struggled to maintain their lead in the opening ten of the second half against determined Winlaton pressure. However they soon regained their composure and an interception from full back Neil Metcalf turned the tables. He sprinted fully sixty yards then offloaded out of the tackle to Kev Young who finished the move off to score in the corner. His older sibling Ed, also played a stormer and was deservedly named man-of-the-match. Second row Brian Shaw also played well with some punishing tackling and unflinching commitment at the break down. It was his turnover at the ruck that gave Cooper his second try to stretch Jarrows lead even further. At this point Winlaton were out of it but a disgraceful racist comment from Broadhead, who really should know better, put the game back on a knife edge when he deservedly went into the bin to mull over his scandalous, unecessary outpouring of vicious bile. This sort of conduct has no place in the modern game and should be consigned to history’s rubbish bin alongside outdated comics such as Manning and his ilk. Hopefully Broadhead can restore his credibility and respect but it looks like an uphill struggle to be honest. It could have all went horribly wrong but Jarrows resolve held firm and Cooper, despite the attentions of the high tackling Winlaton flanker, completed his hat-trick to give Jarrow an impressive 36-10 victory
South Tyneside College II 31 Jarrovians II 5
Jarrows seconds, a mixture of age and experience travelled to South Shields for this keenly contested local derby. The first half was an even affair with Jarrow new boy Dave Johnston opening the scoring with a strong sniping run from number nine. Despite fine work from Jarrow’s back row of Smyth, Whittington and Swaddle, the home side came back to equalise just before half time.
In the second halfJarrow paid the price for only arriving with the bare number available and the College side brought some fresh legs who started to dominate. Fine defensive work from Nelson and McGhee kept the score down, but College’s pressure told and some well taken tries led to a final score of 31-5
Oct 13th
Jarrovians 0 Stockton II 27
Jarrovians six week winning streak was brought to an abrupt half by a strong and well drilled Stockton side at Luke's Lane on Saturday. The visitors fielded a talented back-line, the match of any Jarrow have ecountered thus far, and set about the game with intent and flourish from the start. It was a thrilling encounter during the opening skirmishes with each side going for the jugular. Superb tackling from Chris McCabe, Andy Cooper and Bruce Parker snuffed out the waves of attackers and prevented an early score. Stockton were severely testing Jarrow's defence but constantly found themselves back in their own half from unlikely counter attacking deep in the home sides half. The Jarrow backs have scored, almost at will in the last few weeks but were meeting stern resistance here. Breaks from Hepple and Parker which hitherto resulted in points were snuffed out with bone crunching finality. Hepple found himself in space and had acres of yardage to left and right but found himself drawn to the fullback like a moth to the flame. No try. Simpson burst through and attempted to bounce off the defender, which he has done with ease recently, only to hit a brick wall. No try. These, however were merest glimmers of light against an ever darkening teesside threat. Jarrow held firm against mounting Smoggy pressure for twenty minutes but the visitors changed tactics and began punching through with aggressive rucking and mauling. This masterstroke paid off when they mauled their way over the Jarrow try-line to open the scoring with a converted try. The fresh faced Stockton winger almost added another but learnt a harsh lesson when, in an attempt to go under the posts he was prevented from grounding the ball and held like a turtle on it's back by Arrowsmith and Smyth. The visitors continued with grim determination and eventually scored a second to go into the break with a mere 12-0 lead for all their efforts and Jarrow were by no means out of the game.
Jarrow restarted, with fresh legs through mass personell changes and renewed vigour. They began the second half well enough asserting themselves in the forwards with stirring performances from man-of-the-match Gareth Roberts and gnarled veteran Colin McKeown. The black and ambers came close to scoring when full-back Neil Metacalf announced his arrival by coming into the line on a superbly angled run. Taking the pass off Broadway he crashed through two tacklers but, under pressure, just couldn't make a decent enough pass to onrushing winger McCoy, who agonisingly knocked on just yards from the try line. Jarrow's pack began pushing hard and were more than a match for Stockton at the scrum, even pushing them off their own ball on more tham one ocassion. However Stockton turned the tables when a number eight pick up from the scrum released their young winger for a try down the blindside. Making no mistake this time the ball was quickly grounded and the Teesiders stretched their lead to 17-0. Not five minutes later Jarrow embarrassingly fell for the same trick and the youngster gleefully romped over restoring credibility after his farcical first half missed opportunity. Soon after Jarrow resistance crumbled and Stockton scored a fifth try to finish off the home side and take the game 27-0.
Sept 29th
Jarrovians 83 North Shields II 0
Jarrovians still rolling
It was just another day at the office for this well oiled black and amber machine as they continued their magnificent league campaign by piling points on North Shields at a rate of more than one a minute. Job done. Although judging by the try scoring exploits of the Jarrow backs perhaps the new skipper has introduced a bonus payment system. The midfield of Simpson, Hepple and Parker have racked up an amazing 25 tries between them in five games. The depleted (Jarrow sportingly made up the numbers) North Shields team were swamped in a Jarrow tidal wave from the very first minute when Bruce Parker scored the first of his three tries. If Shields feared it might be a sign of things to come, they were right, as Jarrow ruthlessly exposed the vast gulf between rugby’s haves and have nots. Not too long ago Jarrow had to ditch their annual Christmas fixture against this side as they were becoming too strong. How times have changed. Their big forwards were no match for the fitter more mobile Jarrow pack. Mark Greenwood constantly aggravated the visitors turning over ball as did Neil Smyth, who also claimed a try each. Lineouts and scrums were meat and drink to the eager Jarrow pack. Ball in, won, out to the backs, recycle, do the same again. The visitors naïve and inexperienced backs were easily dispatched by a hungry and skilfull Jarrovians back-line armed with an abundance of pace and agility. Nicholas Hepple continued his devastating run of form by notching up yet another hat-trick. Simpson bludgeoned his way over for two. It may seem like Black and Amber magic at times but a lot of what Broadway’s team does is simple, skilful mastery of the basics, as exemplified by man-of-the-match Gareth Roberts when he flipped a one handed pass behind his back to send Arrowsmith over for his try, Jarrows fifth. Perfectly executed to take out two defenders, it was still a simple switch move practiced on muddy training nights at Luke’s Lane. Graham Linsley, in fine fettle, helped himself to two tries and taught Shields a painful lesson in how to run hard and straight, to support the ball carrier, and to offload in contact. Thirteen tries later,nine converted by Parker and a comprehensive victory. All basic, simple rugby but Jarrow are operating with all guns blazing and proving a real handful this season. One wonders how they will cope when they are up against stiffer opposition. However, optimism is high, five games in and ever growing in confidence. Jarrow are on a roll.
22nd Sept 2007
Washington 0 Jarrovians 65
Jarrow on a roll
Jarrovians continued their run of form with a comprehensive victory away to Washington on Saturday. Once again the opposition struggled to cope with Jarrow’s lightning quick backs. Dan Simpson, in particular, earned his man-of-the-match accolade with a barn-storming effort at fly-half. He may have gained a few pounds of late but he used his extra girth to devastating effect, actively seeking out contact and bouncing hapless, would be tacklers off with contemptuous ease. He was first on the scoreboard with a try reminiscent of Jonah Lomu in his pomp. In the pivotal role and understanding of the talent at his disposal the rotund but nimble Simpson lost no time in unleashing his back line at every opportunity. Washington’s early resistance collapsed when Nicholas Hepple scored closely followed by big Chris McCabe, who is relishing his new role at full-back, running some marvellous lines to devastating effect. One such attack saw McCabe crash through the first up tackle then deftly offload to supporting flanker Neil Smyth. Smyth sensed glory and battered his way over to touch down under the posts. Scrum-half Gary Archbold added another try to take Jarrow into the break with a 29-0 lead and no realistic way back for Washington.
Sure enough the second half started dismally for the home side when Gareth Roberts, a contender for man-of-the-match himself, fielded the kick-off then set up the ruck. Archbold whipped the ball right then Bruce Parker changed the angle and set off to romp over in the corner and sore the first of his two tries. Washington were dead and buried now but gamely stuck to it and made Jarrow work hard for their victory. The scoreboard man was kept busy and the try tally looked impressive. Simpson 3, Parker and Hepple 2. McCabe, Smyth, Archbold and grizzled veteran Colin McKeown one apiece to make it 65-0. All in all a pleasing effort, despite some dubious refereeing in the second half.
Sept 15th 2007 Jarrow Romp To Victory
Jarrovians 67 College II 5
In a hastily rearranged fixture Jarrovians entertained a depleted College second team at Luke's Lane on saturday. College pushed hard in the early exchanges with strong and determined running from their big powerful forwards. Jarrovians, however were resolute in defence, weathered the storm and began asking questions of their own. Realising the visitors were more than a match for the home side in the forwards departmenrt, skipper and fly half Jamie Broadway began to introduce his talented backline into the equation. A break from Bruce Parker earned Jarrow a penalty in the College half. Quick witted scrum half and man of the match Gary Archbold took the quick tap and blazed his way over to break the deadlock. Realising the game could be won out wide, Broadway began orchestrating his backs with the precision and timing of a swiss watch. A bullocking charge from veteran Michael Hart gifted the ball to winger Bryan McCoy who rounded the defence with ease to score in the corner. There was no stopping Jarrow now and the game was effectively over as a contest by half time courtesy of another try by Archbold and two gems from a sidestepping tackle breaking Nicholas Hepple. At thirty five nil down the College restarted the second half with surprising ferocity. Jarrow, with a comfortable lead took their foot off the gas and found themselves encamped on their own try line. A series of punishing rucks and mauls forced Jarrow back with hte big College number eight attempting to bludgeon his way over. Massive Jarrow tackling thwarted the attack but the referee had spotted an infringement at the ruck and awarded the penalty. Quickly taken and with ten yards to build up momentum the College broke the gain line and scored a well deserved consolation try. This was the boot up the backside Jarrow needed. A rollocking from an incensed Broadway stirred the blood and remotivated the black and amber machine. College had the measure of Jarrow in the pack so wisely the game was played out wide at every opportunity. Broadway used every trick in the book and the visitors gamely stuck at it but couldn't live with Jarrow's considerable pace. Full-back Chris McCabe was unleashed time and time again and used his blistering pace to score a fine individual try of his own. Jarrow have discovered a great centre partnership in Hepple and Parker. The swashbuckling duo are a real threat with ball in hand and proved too hot to handle for the College backs. Parker claimed two tries and Hepple the hat-trick. Mccoy got on the scoresheet again defying his age to outsprint the cover and score his second. Man-of-the-match Archbold also grabbed a brace taking the try tally up to ten and sealing the College's fate.
Sept 08th 2007 A Game Of Two Halves
Jarrovians 19 Harlepool III 20
Never was that tired old cliché “a game of two halves” more appropriate than on Saturday when Jarrovians entertained Hartlepool III at Luke’s Lane. Jarrow went into the break with a comfortable 19-3 lead but ended up suffering an agonising defeated by the narrowest of margins. The home side had a superlative start to the game when winger Phil Smurthwaite crossed the try line to touch down inside of five minutes. A well rehearsed scissors move with outside centre Chris McCabe bore fruit and saw the nifty winger break the feeble cover tackle and score under the posts. Gary Archbold comfortably converted. Confidence soared and Jarrow had the visitors in their pocket, outclassing them in all aspects of the game. The scrum and lineout were functioning well giving the backs ever more confidence with a stream of quality possession from the set pieces. Burly second row Graham linsley roamed the park with menace and purpose and it was appropriate that his fellow forwards conspired to award him the second try of the game. A series of supercharged rucks up the middle, driven with devil by Roberts and Frasier bullied the lacklustre Hartlepool forwards into submission and onto the back foot. The ruck was set up on ten yards, Linsley sensed the try line, picked up and bulldozed his way over to take Jarrow to a 12-0 lead. Hartlepool had no reply and Jarrows lead was stretched further still when Gary Archbold made a break from the halfway line and cut loose. With the Hartlepool centre in hot pursuit Archbold sprinted to the try line and did well to ground the ball despite the close attentions of the despairing tackler. He took the conversion and Jarrow were well pleased with a 19-0 margin. However the dark clouds began to gather when inspiring centre Dave Winthrop limped off with a groin strain, then Archbold himself left the field of play with an elbow injury. Hartlepool closed the half with a penalty kick to go into the break 19-3 and seemingly little chance of overcoming Jarrows undoubted superiority.
However the visitors rang the changes with unsuspecting Jarrow skipper Jamie Broadway generously allowing six substitutions. The black-and-ambers started the second half with gusto born of confidence. Smyth and Whitehead pressing forward with urgency, ably supported by a pack scenting blood. Unfortunately the visitors change in personnel proved to be Jarrow’s downfall. Alarm bells started jangling when the hitherto dominant Jarrow pack began to struggle in the scrum. The visitors were in the ascendancy and struck back with a try. The crowd spotted a knock-on but the man with the whistle didn’t and Hartlepool were back in it. Their rejuvenated pack began to assert themselves and Jarrow were in the mire. The Jarrow backs suddenly found themselves under the cosh and defending frenetically. Bone crunching tackles from Kevin Berry and Dan Simpson valiantly knocked the attackers back but Hartlepool were,literally, a different side and ominously scored another try to narrow the gap 19-13. The clock was ticking and Jarrow bravely weathered storm after storm but Hartlepool were feisty and determined. Their backs conspired to break Jarrow hearts when the ball was whipped wide and the winger scored in the left corner. 19-18. Hartlepool’s kicker had hitherto failed to trouble the posts on two previous conversion attempts and the home crowd were quietly confident when he nervously placed the ball on the tee. A hush descended. Sweat gleamed on the kickers brow as, steely-eyed, he glanced from ball to posts and back. Time appeared to stand still, the tension was palpable. A toss of grass, two short steps, then a sweet thud broke the empty silence as, calmly, he struck. The ball hung, as if in slow motion, sailing silently towards it’s target. All Jarrow eyes followed the lazy,curving trajectory in quiet, heart stopping dread as it edged closer and finally bisected the posts with a draughtsman’s precision. The home crowd groaned and Hartlepool cheered. The kicker turned away and nonchalantly tossed aside the tee along with any Jarrow hope as the final whistle signalled it’s harsh message. Jarrow 19, Hartlepool 20. Bugger!
01/09/07 Jarrovians 53 Chester-le-street 7
Jarrovians season kicks off in style
Jarrow impressed the home crowd with an authoritive, emphatic victory over a struggling Chester side at Luke's lane on saturday. In perfect conditions conducive to free flowing rugby Jarrow ticked all the boxes from scrummaging to try-scoring with panache and confidence. Jarrow were like whippets out of the traps from the starting whistle and went straight for the jugular. A well versed backs move saw Dan Simpson first over the try line, quickly followed by a second from Nicholas Hepple. Whilst the visitors were licking their wounds the black-and-amber juggernaught quickly became an unstoppable force. Man of the match Graham Linsley typified the Jarrow forward effort and terrorised the defence with thrusting and direct running. One such mighty effort gave Simpson his second try sharply followed up by a scorching sixty yarder from Bobby Whitehead. Chester were now dead and buried but gamely made a fist of it and kept Jarrow on their toes. The Jarrow backs were now straining at the leash and desperate to get their hands on the ball. Dominant lineout and scrummaging ensured a healthy supply and sure enough, like a well oiled machine, the backs went through precision and obviously well rehearsed moves to keep the soreboard man busy. Simpson completed his hat-trick with a deft scissors move. Hepple impressed with a solo effort. The forwards too got in on the act when ageing veteran Duncan Whittington crashed over to applause from the partisan crowd. Roberts also bounced off two defenders to score and introduce himself in his first, impressive game for Jarrrow. Gary Archbold, one of many contenders for man of the match, gave an ebbulient display with one try and three conversions. However the rock hard pitch began to take it's toll and Jarrow lost winger Dan Johns to a calf strain then full back Neil Metcalf was carried off with a slightly sore achilles tendon. Chester scored a converted consolation try but it was small comfort in a one-sided contest. It became apparent that Jarrow's pre-season training regime was paying dividends when the visitors visibly wilted in the second half while Jarrow appeared to grow stronger. Skipper Jamie Broadway was well impressed with his sides performance in his first game in charge. " I am well impressed with my sides performance in my first game in charge" he stated afterwards. " Training has been going well and I am confident if we get more players turning up we will get a second team on the park this season. It was tough out there today, my boots were killing me, but we can go into our next fixture with confidence. It was difficult to choose a man-of-the-match with so many players like Metcalf, Archbold, Simpson and Berry all stating their case, but Chunk was literally head and shoulders above the rest with his awesome display of power play in the loose"
