Bishop 2XV Back to Form

Won 62-0

Bishop Auckland 2XV played hosts to Seaton Carew and after their defeat last week their sole objective was to use this friendly to put the wheels back on the wagon and this they did, but this was no wagon, oh no, this was now a prestigious F1 McLaren and Bishop hit the ground at lighting speed.

Bishop fielded a pretty consistent side in hurricane like conditions that would have blown the cobwebs of me granny’s draws. This didn’t deter the boys in blue and straight from the kick off Patrick Humpert put in two thundering tackles that gave Seaton a taste of what was to come.

This was another demonstration from Bishop in the deconstruction of a side that at first glance looked equally as strong. After 5minutes and from a loose ball, Kevin Watson took the ball in the line and then remembering his youth when he was a different shape!! chipped the ball over the Seaton defence for Andrew Cassidy to take the first try of the match. The wind favoured Bishop in the first half and from a penalty in their 22, the ball was launched down field over Seaton’s full back and ended up over the try line. The race was now on and young Cassidy who had already set of like a grey hound chasing a rabbit had closed down the full back to dive over to clinch a try out of the hands of Seaton.


The second half started with Bishop 34 points up and were now playing into the wind. The forwards work rate was now being tested and loose head prop Larvin Clements was holding the front row and taking ball from Seaton’s scrum. Gary Hamilton had now moved into scrum half and started dictating the play and demonstrated his immense strength when the opposing scrum half latched onto him like a muscle at low tide but was unable to dislodge him were he exhibited a typical American style throw out to the backs.

The try’s were now coming thick and fast for Bishop, and again Gary Hamilton had taken three quick penalties that fed the backs with good ball for Dave Gibson to tie up with Peter Sayer to get his third try. Gary was dancing and shimmying around the Seaton forwards that made the 50 or so spectators wonder if he was wearing Cuban heels instead of rugby boots.

Seaton Carew played the game with great professionalism right down to the final whistle were the game ended 62 points to 0. In summary Bishop took on the test and showed their potential for building a set side for this season with a long term view to next years silver ware.

Forwards man of the match was given to Larvin Clements and backs man of the match went to Andrew Cassidy.