Here we go, buckle up and prepare for a centenary season in National 2 which starts with an away trip to one of last season’s top 5 in that division, so quite an opener. It’s been building during the pre-season and judging by the numbers at training there was a pool of talent available with some disappointment when the 20 man squad was announced. Taking the away bus trips as a supporter as an example, you do everything to make sure you get a seat on the bus but spaces are limited, you may miss out but that doesn’t mean that you don’t try and get on the next one. Refine your strategy, develop your skill set and work smarter to be on the bus list.
It’s the 1st of September, its National 2 and its A19/A1(M)/M1/A629/A630 for the first match of a historical year for the Green and whites. If anyone gets a winning line based on any combination of those numbers then you owe me a cut. So we are off down South or where London and the government think the North is and where the trains may get to at some point. I’m on the bus with the great and the good, like every gym session night I have imposter syndrome but as always I am made more than welcome. It’s a lovely buzz of anticipation and bus highlights include Billingham welcomes careful drivers, the price of peas these days and M1 – delays till winter 2024. However we make good time and arrive in a very sunny South Yorkshire in fine fettle.
Having missed the pivotal game to secure promotion which is still mentioned by some, planning the trip to the first game in the season has been long in my mind. Thursday to be exact but I’m trying to live “in the moment”. Apparently it’s about being spontaneous and reacting to the situations that are thrown up as meticulous planning relies on things working out as you thought rather than as life really happens. I’m sure many of our regular readers will confirm that these reports have been working on some sort of spontaneity for years, I’ll suggest that spontaneity is planned well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Lets crack on, Rotherham gate prices are high with a premium for a seat, I was very happy to stand and found a very good vantage point as far away from Alan as possible as I had his jacket. As the crowd swells there’s a strong Billingham contingent, I find my bearings at the far end away from the club house with a great little crowd and a good vantage point which makes the game even more enjoyable. The Titans are out first in light blue and maroon hoops followed by Billingham in the new away strip of black and pink hoops, followed by the officials who I didn’t even notice. Usually I comment on the man in the middles garish colour choice but as it’s now a three man system it’s a step too far although you would expect the officiating to be more “interesting”
Billingham steady themselves ready to make club history and in an alphabetical quirk start the season top of the league at kick off. Peter Evans puts boot to ball as Billingham play towards the club house, game on. Titans collect opting to box kick to exit, a strong chase and a bobble allows them to regain the ball. Looking for early advantage after a couple of phases they pop a kick over the top, alert to the danger Elliott Husband (Capt) collects and brings Joe Ross into play. Titans cover restricts Billingham to midfield and after a couple of phases Peter E opts for ball to boot. Titans set up and use the eager forwards to drive the ball in successive gains, they are quite some units so drag the defense with them. Titans look to move the ball a little quicker using dummy runners and a delayed pass to move up the wing, think of lots of big objects moving fast but you don’t know which one to hit. It’s then switched inside as the 6 runs in through a gap, but the buildup did the damage to make the run in look easy. Converted the home support greet the new season as the home side go 7 – 0.
Peter sends the ball into the air and Titans look to set up again, but its kerfuffle at the breakdown as players exchange comments regarding the new strip and Titans knock on. First scrum of the match which Billingham manage to move out quickly looking to test the width and both wings. After a few tests it’s a ball over the top with Titans collect for the mark. However the man in the middle raises his arm for a penalty and Peter E opts for the posts to banish the doughnut, 7 -3. By the way it’s a lovely day with the sun beating down I opt to go for tan and sun glasses on in a vain attempt to get that elusive Vogue cover.
Titans kick off into contestable area and a loose ball ends up in their grasp. They roll the big boy phases across the middle then look to release the backs, its quick hands along the line and on to Luke Wilson, its day light robbery as he sets off right in front of the home stand (£3 extra!!!!!). It’s a long way but most of the time he is watched from afar and I hope the stand crowd got value for money. Try and PE conversion good, score board shows 7 – 10. Luckily someone is posting the scores onto the Whatsup app as my senses are working overtime.
Titans regroup and put another testing kick off which they regain then set up their pattern of eager and big runners, it really is a stern test to reduce the amount of gain. They go close again but Billingham work hard for every yard and force an infringement. A kick to touch is a temporary respite as the throw goes long and Titans are back into the phases, Billingham counter but the delayed pass allows runners to overload and the 7 goes over. This indicates the strength of the Titans pack and their ability to do the graft then be there to provide the overlap. Conversion bounces off a car after going between the posts for 14 – 10.
Billingham kick off and its straight out which brings them back for a scrum, which given the weight and experience in the Titans pack is no cake walk and only gets more difficult as the game goes on. I tip my hat to the Billingham front row who stuck at it in very hot and unrelenting conditions. Titans secure ball and work it up the pitch bringing in the backs to bag another try plus conversion – 21 -10.
Billingham kickoff long allowing Titans to secure with ease but deep so opt to exit by going for touch, adding interest to the match by counting how many balls bounce off the stand roof onto the main road, I wonder if they have one of those flashing signs beware of falling balls. Titans get up at the line out and the jumper is adjudged to be taken in the air so the kick to the corner puts Titans on the doorstep. You sort of know what’s coming next and if I was a back I would have gone for a coffee at this point. Its catch and drive over the line, again a talking point about blocking the tackler, at which point do you bind and how do you stop the attacking team fairly, answers on a postcard please. The kicker pops another tricky kick over as Titans gain daylight at 28 -10.
Billingham kick off, Titans look to run the ball out but don’t make much of it so it’s a boot up field with Billingham phases drawing infringement. It’s a quick tap and Billingham are off up the middle with Titans covering, a few phases and it’s another penalty with Billingham opting for the kick to the corner. Line out is secured and popped to the front as Billingham look for the drive, it’s a bit of a wrestle watching from the far end so Billingham look to move inside, it looks like Titans have stolen it but Luke Wilson ends up over the whitewash and the ref signals try. PE adds the extras and Billingham claw one back for 28 – 17.
Titans kick off with Billingham knocking it backwards then securing it with a quick exit to the sidelines. From the line out Titans get an advantageous position as Billingham are drawn off side and the evitable kick to the corner ensues. It’s overthrown but Titans get another chance as Billingham spoil a little bit too much at the breakdown. Titans opt long at the line out this time but the work put in at the breakdown restricts gain advantage, John Padley putting in his trademark Yorkshire terrier type performance. It’s a knock on by Titans as they look dangerous that provides Billingham the platform that ties up the forwards long enough for the ball to be out and along the line, clean hands give Joe Ross space to gather momentum. The baby faced assassin sizes up his opposite number, confuses him with a quick inside/outside then runs in the try under the posts. PE continues his duties to move the scoreboard to 28 – 24. Oh my word.
Titans kick off straight into touch and Billingham exit from the scrum as quick as possible, with nudge over the top setting off the runners it’s out of reach as the bounce favours the Titans defence. Titans slow it down and box kick up the pitch with Elliott gathering the back line look eager but its knocked on after a couple of phases. Titans control the scrum and exert pressure, as Billingham look to counter the penalties mount up giving Titans good field position. They use the scrums to turn the screw going close with an 8 pick up but countered by Joe Ross and John Padley on the blind side. There’s of course lots going on, Titans engage strongly forcing an advantage plus they are going forward so always get the benefit, the forwards finish off in the corner and another good conversion ends the half at 35 – 24. I would love to be listening to that half time chat.
A cracking half of rugby, great conversation and loads of talking points plus sun, sun, sun, who would want for more, nearly worth the entry price. For those of you who like your Greek mythology the titans were the elder gods who ruled until they were overthrown by the Olympians, which was Zeus and his intertwined family who was son of Cronos, the titan leader. Kids, eh? I’m hopeful that the lovely Yorkshire accent will produce some nuggets to enliven the match report but haven’t heard an Eh’ dam yet and a flat hedgehog is getting most of the attention.
Second half action and Billingham play towards our view point and away from the club house, Titans kick off and Anth Jackson has a canter into contact, very soon after the arm goes up for a high tackle. Billingham have a period of ball retention but it tends to go sideways rather than any massive forward progress before the next high tackle is adjudged. Billingham move up the pitch then breakdown infringement warms up the stand crowd as the ref decides to speak to the home captain. More exchanges but the lack of clear brakes despite good passing as it looks like Titans have moved to plug any gaps. Billingham continue to knock on the door after a line out catch and drive comes to nothing, Titans in early to bring it down. A solid Titans scrum and the 8 is off and away drawing the defence in towards the stand side, Billingham don’t release so ends up with another ball off roof on the road. From the line out it’s a couple of runners into the middle then out wide and despite a suspected foot in touch its run in and converted. 42 – 24 but a chance for Billingham early in the second.
Billingham kick off, Titans collect and box kick long, Elliott sweeps up looking to sort out however Titans charge down the kick forcing Billingham into risk management. Anyway these some sort of infringement that I still can’t find a reason for and Titans play percentage going for the corner. Line out ball secured they set off with an ominous rumble which is curtailed as the referee reaches for his pocket and Kieran Clarke goes for a breather. In a re-run Titans make sure but do not convert to move out to 47 – 24.
So it’s 15 vs. 14 for a while as Billingham look to manage the game especially the forward threat. Kicks are exchanged and Mike Walton drives in as the forwards continue to put a shift in. High tackle gives Billingham an option as they tap but then knock on. Changes are made by both teams and the play remains in the middle of the park. Titans knock on however play continues with Billingham being offside. Billingham stick to moving the ball but Titans look aware to that threat now so runners are closed down quickly. Titans forwards are still looking heavy and eager so the work put in to keep in touch is immense plus Billingham look at every opportunity to get a break, quick taps are defended well but not 10, nudges forward go just too long, Titans strip the ball and long passes are adjudged forward. Eventually Titans get a foot hold in Billingham 22 and despite a Billingham steal which is reversed at the next breakdown they go over with numbers out wide. With the kicker ringing the outside of the post the score moves to 52 – 24, not bad given the man down for quite a period.
Billingham kick off and with a clean catch Titans look to break out with runners but it’s into touch and well contained. Billingham are still looking to create that gap or a chance with a nudge through just bouncing out, its heavy work but the phases are undertaken with quick ball as Titans look to control. At the scrum Titans look well on top but if you can get it out quickly there’s still options, Billingham look to switch from wing to wing and another adjudged high tackle allows an option to tap. Hold on apparently that’s no advantage so we will come back and all of a sudden it’s gone. Titans close out the game and the final whistle sounds for 52 – 24.
A great first game in this league if not the result, most observers from both sides expressed the opinion that a bonus point at least would have been deserved but it wasn’t to be. Lots of great chats afterwards pitch side, in the clubhouse and of course on the bus home, highlights of which were a banana related incident, banging tunes and some very nice bus wide harmonies to Mumford & sons.
A really solid squad effort with a massive effort, old hands and debutants alike, a very good mix and hard graft from everyone. This sets the bar for this season from which we must look to develop from, if you believe the marginal gains theory then if everyone tweaks their potential by 1% then across a squad that is a massive cumulative competitive advantage. I’m not one for sitting around even though it may look like it, when people say well you deserved that but didn’t get it I think thanks and then work out how I get it. It was a very special and historical day though, at least I was there this time.
To all supporters it’s the first home game of the centenary season next week, you may want to check out the squad selection, you may want to look at the club house renovation, you may want a gander at the new home strip, you may wish to ask the bar staff if they have any nuts or you may want to check how much of the match report is true and not made up. Get yourself down to Greenwood road, let’s give the teams the support they deserve, Our spirit is our strength.
No time this week for – too early for papers, only got one good knee, the banana just went off in my hands, tripped over his own talent, snacks, snacks, snacks, standing on the shoulders of giants, video killed the match report, where’s the North from here, are we there yet? and especially for John (supporters notes) as per Rotherham program - UNPAIDANDPROUDTOWEARTHESHIRT#OSIOS
“It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.” - Charles Darwin
An innocent bystander.