In a week when we have discovered that most Politicians are in it to line their own pockets rather than serve the population, although in many cases it’s not their own pockets but ones that have been provided for them. Before questions are asked I would like to confirm that when I turn up dressed in a cowboy outfit that this is not a sponsorship deal and that the club fiery ring ranch sauce is very, very tasty, yeh ha.
This week I would like to doft my Stetson to the prop fraternity, a very technical role that is a foundation of a well balanced team. The sheer graft that is required for this position is sometimes underestimated; the forces at play at the scrum in itself are massive especially when you line up week in week out against some absolute units. Then you have the movement around the pitch, the modern prop is a powerhouse ready to engage at the set piece but then throw in a sidestep to initiate a break, handle and offload but then be there to chop tackle. It really is a pivotal position and at Billingham we may not have the massive units although they are all solid but the workload and mobility is fantastic, a key factor in this very competitive league. Surprisingly they are also some of the most understated players in the team, usually very happy to chat and not a hint of superstar status (I was going to mention positions here but thought better of it) just happy to graft. So to all the props in the club and wider here’s to the graft, there is no equivalent of your position in most sports including rugby league (call that a scrum !!!) so you are unique, in so many ways.
I quick early morning jaunt out to Thirsk, lovely weather in North Yorkshire as we sit sipping coffee in t-shirts, back to Teesside its low cloud and mist some would say drizzle, some would say sea roke anyway its damp, slippery ball weather. This means a quick change into an all weather outer shell (not sponsored) and the faithfully green and white wooly hat. I meet up with Richie (no T) on the way in and we wander up to the mount as the teams finalise their warm ups, looks like some are blowing already. DJ Brown is on the wheels of steel as DJ Duane is away doing his late summer poolside residency like superstar DJ’s do. It’s a knowledgeable group that develops on the mount as the teams trot out, Otley in black/white hoops followed by the home green and white. Officials light up the pitch in a vibrant pink that is obviously some sort of sponsorship for a glow in the dark product. Happy to say that the mount is below the clouds so we have a reasonable view point as its Billingham to kick off towards the club house with a light breeze to their backs. Game on.
Ryan Foreman puts boot to ball, Otley collect via the big lads looking to break out but not much gain so the ball is cleared up field. Peter Evans (Birthday boy this week) collects and runs into traffic, Billingham run a few phases like Otley not much gain, Peter pops a floater over the top, kicks are exchanged ending with Billingham clearing over the dugout. As the game develops we see a pattern emerging as Otley use the forwards to try and bulldoze up the middle, it’s a strong move but does come a little one dimensional. Billingham look to stretch out wide but the Otley cover closes the gaps quickly then pressure the ruck, lots of midfield action and quite an arm wrestle. Scrums are a key area with I would guess a weight advantage to the visitors plus some front row dark arts to contend with, Otley with the advantage early on. Posetion is switching backwards and forwards, Joe Ross has a chance up the wing but is taken into touch, Otley set up but are off their feet at the breakdown and so it switches from team to team. The line out is a contest with Billingham disrupting where they can leading to bobbles and overthrows form the visitors but then strong Otley scrums get the ball back. When the Otley backs do come into play they look to run, the big forwards provide a good block to run behind and a very clever kick from one side of the pitch cleanly angles across to the other side for a 50:20. It’s a catch and drive but Billingham standoff and Otley obstruct so it’s Ryan to boot it well down field into touch. Its a few knock on’s exchanged as Billingham remain in the Otley half, it’s a bit side to side but the man in the middle raises his arm. The home team opt for the stick and Ryan banishes the doughnut for 3 – 0.
Otley restart towards the mount and into the arms of Tom Campbell, developing another stand out season and its quickly returned into touch as Billingham don’t give Otley the chance to get a foot hold. Otley overthrow at the line out and with a bobble AJ gathers, Billingham look to cash in with Elliot sending out to Peter E wanging one to Joe at speed it looks promising, Otley counter at the breakdown to extinguish the threat and get the penalty into the bargain. A clean line out and the forays up the middle resume with a couple of half breaks Otley look to overload the stand side but Billingham cover make them work to retain the ball. A penalty allows Otley to make further progress into the corner and from the line out AJ is a little too eager so it’s an Otley attacking scrum in a dangerous position. The scrum never really steels down and collapses but its Otley ball so its side to side as the home side defend, it’s a forward pass from Otley right in the middle but Billingham are offside. Otley opt for a regroup and evening the scores via the sticks, lots of action to get to 3 – 3.
It’s a high kick off from Ryan which allows Billingham to retrieve in broken play and they quickly ship it out wide. Adam Brown with a juggle to retain posetion and the forwards are into trouble the try line, Tom Campbell sidestep commits Otley players. Quick ball gives Elliott options, Joe Ross then Louie Groak into play, the Groakster (I have it on good authority) ties up 3 players with a surge for the line, allowing El Capitan Elliot to pick up and ground over the white wash. Ryan flashes the kick across the posts but the home team move out to 8 – 3.
Otley kick off, Tom collects with Ben Walton strong run in the second phase, Billingham look to move the ball rather than a quick exit but knock on. Otley look to counter but the big runners are stationary when receiving the ball, the middle is congested and I’ll be honest the wingers must take a crossword on to the pitch as they only seem to see the ball when its coming the other way. Burns is putting his usual high intensity shift in both collecting off the line out and eager runner and Billingham are not messing as they exit quickly. From the line Otley build momentum with a couple of touch kicks but again no real breaks. They look to change it up with a kick over the top, the referee has already asked the nine not to chase as he is offside but off he goes, the ball goers dead anyway. There then is some conjecture as to the drop out position, is it a penalty anyway, what is the price of petrol these days and various other suggestions. Anyway it’s a 22 drop out which Ryan lashes up field, Otley counter and shift wide opening up the stand side. A high tackle allows Otley to kick for the corner and again they are knocking on the door, they take it into the drive, maul is called by the man in the middle, Billingham get round and seal off but manage to knock on. Attacking scrum to Otley, Billingham put in a good nudge pushing Otley back and after a while the arm is up giving Billingham the ball, a quick tap into touch and its half time. Scintillating stuff with both teams off to pick the meat out of that, 8 – 3 to the home team but very finely balanced.
Lively debate ranges on the hill regarding rule change and how they are applied as some head for refreshments, I would say that it’s less dark n’ stormy but It’s not enough to take my hat off. To those elsewhere in the world check the green and white website where there is a range of options to keep up to date and in on the action, the social guru Mr. Brown has been working overtime but the half time playlist is a bit subdued fitting with the overcast weather. Its little bit strange but as Billingham play up towards the mount in the second half there is an influx of club alumni who make reference to the average age of the mount contingent, never in my 35 years I have heard anything so cheeky.
Its Otley to start the second half kicking towards the club house, Burns cradles safely then motors into the Otley forwards, Otley drive back the next two phase so Peter clears the lines. Otley take at the front of the line out then set away with the pods nothing wide just finding the rumble rhythm early in the second. Billingham get over the ball at the breakdown so it’s up the field with a kick to touch. From the line out it’s quickly along the line and Jonny Horner in space tests the stand side, Elliot moves the ball switching sides and the attack is contained by Otley being offside. Ryan dispatches the penalty between the sticks, as the home side bag the first points of the second half 11 – 3, Billingham opting for point where available.
Burns again collects the kick off and Billingham look to switch the pay but AJ is clattered as Otley look to close ranks. It’s an up and under which Otley collect giving the backs a chance early. Happy to see the ball they weave through a gap and then switch to the middle as they show the burners to get into space and run in the try, 12 and 13 looking particularly swift if given the chance. It’s a quick response from the visitors and a potential switch to more open play, converted the gap narrows to 11 – 10.
Billingham kick off Otley collect just outside the 22 a couple of phases then a quick recycle and a long kick for a 50;20, uncle Mo looks to favour Yorkshire at present. Otley control the line out as the forwards muster, it’s an out the back play with the 12 at pace. Billingham look to cover as a lively Otley back line ask the questions, they are knocking on the door as Ryan Kirkbride intercepts on his own line. As Billingham look to get one of the flyers free Otley get the ball back, the man in the middle indicates scrum of an earlier infringement. Otley look to gain the advantage as they push before the ball is in on the first attempt then go early again at the reset the man in the middle has no option, arm aloft. Billingham clear but its temporary as Otley collect a line out bobble and revert to type sending the heavy runners in. Ball is knocked out in the tackle and Luke Wilson looks for a gap, defence covers well so kicks are exchanged leading to an Otley line out on the stand side. Otley look to switch the props over for the last quarter, line out is good and they send the ball along the line, but pass into touch on the dugout side. Must have come off a Billingham player at some point as it’s a knock on and an Otley scrum, it’s a bit scrappy and they knock on trying to get the ball out. Billingham look to get the ball out and moving as quickly as possible, It looks to be lost but Burns picks up and rolls a couple of tackles as the support arrives. A couple of phases down the left as we look from the mount then the ball is along the line as Ryan pops a weighted kick towards the right corner for Jonny to collect to get over the try line. Unconverted the home side again move on but a converted try will put the visitors ahead, all in the balance 16 – 10.
Otley kick off with AJ on the collection duties, no messing Ryan clears up field, Otley set up and look long with a banana kick which bobbles towards a 50:20 corner but then decides to end up over the dead ball line. All the way back for a Billingham scrum, which is in and out as the Billingham forwards then look to go round the corner but knocked on so Otley advantage. They opt to kick and it’s brought back Joe R at pace, arm aloft as frustration gets the better of some. There’s further interaction following the next line out as Otley get hands in but are slow to roll away. In front of the sticks Billingham look to add a few more point through Peter E, Ryan having left the field after a clatter earlier. It’s stroked between the posts to move the home side out to 19 – 10.
It’s all sped up now as Otley search for quick scores and Billingham look to see the game out or even better make the game secure. From the Otley kick off Billingham look to get the ball as far up filed as possible by the boot but its collected and Otley roll up the middle then switch wide. Along the line a player slips with ball in hand and the tackle goes high as he was falling, it’s a penalty but not intentional. The next passage of play is really tight as Otley look at all options but allow Billingham to steal a couple, it’s all becoming a little fractured and clearing kicks allow Otley to set up but they take the wrong option with numbers over and end up infringing to return posetion. It’s a Burns break again, then along the line as Jonny is taken into touch giving Otley the ball back. It’s all about ball retention as Otley switch from up the middle to out wide to stretch the Billingham defence, as gaps appear and players lay injured behind the play it’s a numbers game that finally pays off as Otley bag the try. It’s a slow walk to the dugout as the conversion is good for 19 -17 which very little time to play.
Billingham kick off right up the middle and Otley collect, it’s moved through the Otley 12 and 13 fresh and fast as Billingham look to cover the options. It all breaks down but the man in the middle blocks a pass so it’s an Otley scrum in the Billingham half. Otley drive forward but the ball is out and AJ covers as the 10 ghosts through a gap, Otley look across the pitch as Billingham look to defend. The forwards drive it up and its back into the pocket as the kicker looks to silence the club house; it’s a low pass as he stands just to the right of centre. It’s an unsteady drop kick that is always heading right, away from the posts and into the car park. It’s the final kick of the match as the whistle sounds to end the game. Another absolute cracker at Greenwood road could have gone either way right throughout the match and Otley worked the last chance.
Great to chat with some many players and supporters after the match, plus great to see a packed club house hope many stayed for the entertainment. As players from both teams cooled off after the match there was an interesting range of ink on show I’m sure one was a jungle bird or maybe a night owl. Lots of tired bodies but graft,graft,graft across the squad, another tremendous debutant in Harvey Headlam against a very handy Otley pack adds to quite an opening set of games for the Green and Whites. Looking back at this encounter last season 27/01, 29 – 40 to the visitors and Otley had 16 points on the board before any reply. The phrase “Scrum” in agile project development is a constant cycle of initiation, planning, implementation, review then release. We continue to build and we continue to develop right across the club as standing still isn’t an option, unless you have a clipboard and pen.
No time this report for poolside attendants, speed dating Saturday, I didn’t know you used head and shoulders only if its left in the changing rooms, handy with a mop, its blazing sunshine everywhere else, different mindset, the swinger set, festival of thrift, low on numbers must be my round, everyone wants a match report reference and get your big coat out.
“Tackling is painful, I just embrace the pain” – Joe Marler (not exact words)
An innocent bystander.