This could have been quite a rant but as I only returned from East Yorkshire during the week I have had a chance to review and reflect like similar to Fijian, French, Irish and Welsh friends so will hopefully provide a more balanced view of proceedings. Most outside observers will say here he goes again with his Billingham tinted glasses on which is in contrast to the local supporters who say I am far too honest, I didn’t realise I had this much in common with match officials but there you go. The week started with a perusal of the match reports from around the clubs, Ionian’s leading with a quote from the bard. If you can tone it down please Malcolm as it sets the bar for what people expect, this report will be the usual roll but no rock, fought out but spelt poorly, I know my limits. I am however still happy to receive feedback that mine is still longer than the average.
Luckily relatives had just tested negative so I could visit the other side of the city and then meander through Hull to catch the game. Came unstuck twice on Cottingham road as the lanes changed but still arrived in good time, a lovely Yorkshire welcome from the ladies on the gate who provided ample club directions that enabled me to locate a bevy of travelling support. Got a good read of the program at the Granddad table, got tipped off that people who actually write stuff, like stuff that people read like and get paid for it were in attendance which I think was another prompt to say up your game. After consulting with our roving fromage and acoustics expert I wandered out to watch the warm up and cross-reference with the program. There’s an international flavor to the team sheets with Hull blending a range of talent with Southern hemisphere input and the program noting Billingham’s R Forema in the subs. It’s a nice day in the sun but a stiff breeze possibly across the pitch but the flags must have been borrowed from a NASA soundstage as they didn’t seem to flap.
Hull out first in black, red arms and hoop picked out with a yellow trim, Billingham jog out in the Pink and Black away strip but as usual I shout for the green and whites. It’s sky blue attire (is that related to wishful thinking) for the three man system as we get set up and the Billingham faithful vacate the bar area. I’m lodged in between the two dug outs looking directly across at the club house and in hearing distance to the interesting stuff, most of which won’t be repeated. It’s Billingham who kick off left to right a low nudge looking for the odd bounce, Hull retrieve and counter just short of halfway. Billingham step offside and the first rangefinder is undertaken, it not into touch and is booted back up the field, looks to be long so Hull resist putting the hands on long enough for it to stop just in front of the posts. Hull look to move it out but its turned over with Billingham in a very advantageous field position, The first high tackle goes in allowing Jobe Roxby the first chance of the game, the doughnut goes early despite a wait for lazy flags, 0 – 3.
Hull punt high and chase hard with John Padley collecting under pressure, Billingham look to move up the pitch by moving the ball but several passes bounce before collection delaying the runner but Hull are offside. It’s a tap and go and Billingham get over halfway before Hull get in at the breakdown and Billingham don’t release. It’s a kick to touch that goes onto the stand roof, which I think I mention at every away ground. It’s a bobble at the line out but Hull control then despite Billingham tackles they line up the runners and with pace and off the shoulder running clean passes finish the move off. A good conversion and the home side have warmed up the motors for 7 – 3.
It’s a low bouncer again form Billingham which Hull retrieve and move across the pitch, Hull mix the runners well but the use of the delayed pass and dummy runner mean the ball is collected at speed and they make good gains. Of course everyone is aware of the threat of no12 but he’s running dummies at the moment, bumping the cover and allowing the outside space. Billingham look to cover but tackles slip and Elliott Husband plugs a gap. Both teams exchange penalties resulting in line outs which are scrappy and mistimed. Hull look to be in some rhythm and test the defence again, there’s an overlap but it goes begging with an overthrown pass. Billingham were offside so Hull set up again its coast to coast as they look for a gap, there’s a bit of breakdown kerfuffle and a Billingham high tackle before Hull whisk through a gap, it’s a little bit of a bobble to touch down but the ref signals try. Lots of work across the pitch but Hull look lively when the backs are given a chance, converted the manual scoreboard is updated to 14 – 3.
Kick-off is given a bit more air, Hull look to work up the middle of the pitch with the forwards offloading, Billingham in hard to limit the gain and Padley’s in with a tackle to force the knock on. Lots of interest in the scrum which is steady and it’s a nudge, chase and retrieve from Billingham then a forward pass. After a scrum reset each team have a go but passes don’t go to hand, Kieran Clarke dives to keep the ball alive and Hull infringe, it’s an attempted tap and go that will become a meme if it isn’t already. Its Hull on the front foot and asking questions, a knock on curtails the first but they are soon back with runners and a delayed pass posts an overlap clear, converted goes wide for 19 – 3.
Billingham kick off high, Hull collect switch wide then push on up the middle, Ben Walton in with the tackle and Peter Youll into force the no release. Billingham look to get grab the lineout but its ripped out as Hull look to combine forwards and backs, Padley in with a steal but is temporary respite as slipped tackles allow Hull space to gather pace and run in the bonus point try. The kicker gets back in the grove and for the visiting match reporter its getting ominous at 26 -3.
Billingham kick off its not quite 10 but a Hull hand intervenes so we’ll play on, Billingham collect and it’s a mini break and a missed pass so Hull collect and then knock on. Following the scrum its hard work with phases from both teams, plenty of action but attritional and not much progress to be honest. It all looks to be heady to a standstill until Billingham gain a but of a foothold and we get penalty, penalty and penalty to get Billingham into the corner. Its several attacks, Jordan Foulds going close before the man in the middle raises his hand and John Padley emerges from the pile. Jobe measures up correctly to end the half on a positive for 26 – 10.
Our little group decides to stretch and retrieve hats as is a bit chilly out of the sun which is ebbing away, I decide to do a circuit of the pitch and gather my thoughts on what I would like to call the “Farrell paradox”. Psychology tells us that at times of pressure or risk we all resort to basic nature or nurture traits even if we have tried or trained to suppress them, it is possibly part of our flight or flight conciseness. I have always wanted to be a cowboy so find that choosing what to wear, which puts me in a stress situation results in outfit that would not look out of place out on the range. A ten gallon hat on the mount at some point is not out of the question, may even match the gloves. Before we start the second half details, I have also read the Hull report of this match which is tidy and economical, which of course this will not be.
Its Hull right to left for the sound half and they punt to Nathan Myers deep< Billingham look to move it up the pitch as its moved out to Joe Ross. Hull look to shut him down early but it’s a high tackle and yellow. It’s a tap as Billingham throw the kitchen sink in as they get close, its full on with a half break for Adam Brown, Jacko looking keen and Mike Whinn at speed. Pater Evans loks to vary the pass but Hull hold and cover across the park and weather the pressure. It’s one of those moments that gathers and you thing if we can just get one here but conversely Hull’s mindset is to hold out, its high stakes. We have pods around the breakdown and runner combinations but no telling moment until there’s only one to beat and the ball is batted down. It’s a penalty but know more and from the scrum Hull turnover the ball and work it out. It’s the forwards looking to move it up the pitch but knock it on. At the scrum Hull put the nudge on and drive home the advantage for a penalty. They set up and get the runners moving again to bag another try, another well timed pass unleashing the off the shoulder runner, text book. The conversion is good with Hull stretching to 33 – 10.
Billingham kick off and Hull No 5 grabs under pressure but its knocked on moving it out. Scrum hold steady as Billingham look for a platform and they decide to test the wing again and I’m afraid another high tackle. It’s a kick to touch as the man in the middle comments that its getting a little bit regular. Hull steal the lineout at the front but good work from Ben Walton returns the ball with team Peter looking to create a gap, loose pass but back for a high tackle. It’s an Adam Brown quick tap and over with a accurate Jobe kick for 33 -17. Sorry Adam, I was talking to Burnsy so he missed it.
Hull kick off and Jacko looks eager to have a go the ball is worked across the line, Ryan Foreman into the fray looking to release Rossy and then follow up. Penalty which Billingham tap making good progress until they knock on far side, form the scrum Hull then do the same. Billingham subs are coming on and Sam Heron takes the ball in as the pink and whites look to get on the front foot. It’s a scrum set up close and steady which allows Billingham to grab the next score, converted its looking interesting at 33 – 24.
So what do Billingham do? One bonus point if you get within 7 so you could pop a penalty or drop goal if you get near enough, however you have 3 tries so another gets you potentially 2. Here we go, once the ball is found Hull kick off and Billingham collect. High tackle, tap and go with good yards but Hull apply a strong counter ruck to get it back. I will say that during the last passage of play there is a cracking tackle by Hull, under the armpits line, knocks the player back and then rolls to allow the support in, just to counter I bet your only picking the high ones up. Hull take the lineout but Billingham seal off the maul and get the ball back. Billingham drive the scrum and get the penalty look to tap quick and go up the blind side, the defnece is clearly not back 10 plus we have a little handbags. Billingham tap again, Hull still aren’t 10 but off we go, Adam Brown gets through a gap the covering player doesn’t really go low and a player from behind swings a high arm in an attempt to tackle. It doesn’t look good from any angle and I’m not sure the man in the middle showed the yellow to the right player, he didn’t know why he had been sent off. It’s Billingham to look for the gap again and they move the ball and send in the forwards, Hull hold steady. Its across the line and a awkward pass goes to ground, its hacked forward as Hull swoop on the chance, four controlled hacks and a clean pair of heals Hull close the game out with a converted try for 40 – 24. You may think a convincing win but as always there’s more to it.
Billingham spend a long time in the huddle and it’s visible that many are not happy, some of the supporters are less than happy, I can’t say I was ecstatic. Sometimes it’s the manner of events done rather than the result itself. In a very good pack Adam Brown has held his own this season, I’m hoping that that ridiculous tackle towards the end didn’t cause further injury as he prepares for surgery, we hope it all goes well. Nathan tries to get away quick as his wife was waiting for the final whistle to give birth, we wish all the Myers clan well.
So rather than focus on the downside let’s try and take stock, the penalty count today told a story, the team put pressure on the opposition so people made rash decisions. It’s a constant evolution to see how we can have a better first half, do we look for points on the board and how do we maintain and further develop the squad. Anyone who watches can see the squad effort and spirit, our spirit is our strength. We’ve got a little break now for the first team but please support the other senior and junior squads, keep your eye on the socials for World cup and other events there’s lots going on.
No time this week for – If the glove fits? BPV (bants per visit), Steak pie roulette, How can you compete when you only offer two free pints?, twinned with Suva, Durham county big coat, the meaning of talismanic, soon be Christmas, can do attitude and where did you leave your horse?
“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change -Dr Wayne Dyer
An innocent bystander.​