Lol "originally" as in 2 years ago when the trip was planned perhaps?
Couldnt see any 1st team player going and i think Sherrif isnt even fit yet after his close season op !

In light of that it would be interesting to know if the score blew out at the end of the game, as you would expect, and how long they were able to compete.
I've watched a lot of NYC games over the last few years, and they usually degenerate to touch in the last quarter.

Just returned home from Concord -- two proud Rovers fans. Watched a really good game played in three 20 minute sectors. Team as provided to us was:

Left Wing - Ryan Brown (19)
Right Wing - James Beaumont (2)
Left Centre - Rowan Colqhuon (4)
Right Centre - Jacob Blades (20)
Stand Off - Kristan Bell (13)
Half Back - Matthew Berrhall (7)
Loose - Calum Tolson (14)
Right 2nd Row - Curtis Pullen (12)
Left 2nd Row - Sonny Esslemont (11)
Prop - Lloyd Ofori (icon_cool.gif
Prop - Callum Taylor (10)
Hooker - Joe Gay (9)
Bench: James Deighton (21); Adam Sunman (1icon_cool.gif; Craig Smith (17); Sam Jowsey (16)

Apologies: Full back (wearing no. 1) played a strong game but we didn't get his name.

Tigers first try came from a poor Ref decision, claiming a blatent strip was a lost ball. Scrum set 10 yds out resulting in a try under the posts. Strong defence from both sides, although the Tigers were making more yards from their sets. Savage Tigers defence kept Rovers pinned in their own half for much of the first 20 min period. Good tackling by Rovers No. 4 and strong play thoughout by Rovers 9. Good goal line defence held Tigers out consecutively. However, Tigers scored again at the 15 min mark via quick passing out thru the backline and a darting run. First interchange No. 14 off. Tigers scored again after a poor defensive read by Rovers allowing the Tigers to stroll thru whilst Rovers were down to 12 with No. 4 down in back play (head in the wrong position whilst making a tackle). Sat out the rest of the game as a precaution (in our opinion). 12-0 at the first break.

Strong start to the second third but despite good play from the Rovers Full Back the Tigers managed a length of the field try. However on the following set good play by No. 20 forced a Tigers knock on at tackle 1. No. 9 (workhorse) shook off a big hit to remain on the field and Rovers scored in the far corner (we think thru No. 19).

Interchanges saw 14 and 21 on for 9 and 17. Strong defence again caused Tigers handling errors and strong running by No. 8 broke the Tigers defensive line, however, unfortunate handling error by Rovers on the Tigers 2 yd line denied them a try and slick running by Tigers wingers thru the middle of the ruck saw them score again. Good ruck defence followed this try by Rovers No. 16. Interchange 8 off 18 on. Rovers scored in the far corner (we think it was no. 12). Good defence from 7 and 21. End of second section.

Big hits from 20 and 18 starting the final section well, also good running by 11. Unfortunate kick through the line was caught by a Tigers winger for a runaway try. Tiredness began to show with 2 Rovers kicks out on the full. No. 8 returned to the field replacing 18, 9 on for 21, 17 on for 14 after Tigers again scored under the posts -- few holes behind the marker. No. 19 took a big hit but shook off a painful shoulder to remain the field. First and only 40-20 of the game from Tigers led to a quick try out wide.

Conclusion: Tigers were large and fast across the board with 8 interchanges. Intensity very high from the Tigers as they were under pressure to perform in front of Tim Sheens (Tigers Head Coach and National Coach). Rovers when focussed look strong, particularly in defence -- only conceding points thru poor reading of Tigers' set plays. Impressed by the lack of Rovers handling errors when compared to Tigers and quality kicking for field position throughout -- particularly by no. 13.

Very pleasing to see Rovers keep the intensity up to the final whistle despite the scoreline -- the boys did the Club proud in front of approx 200-300 fans (six Rovers supporters!).

Took a few photos and will attempt to post by Monday.

Sheens wasn't looking at the Tiges - he knows them - he was looking at your boys.

Nice little report, cheers oyster bay.

Good to hear that players who we've heard a bit about over the lasy couple of years such as Lloyd Ofori, Sonny Esslemont, Joe Gay and Kristian Bell seem to be progressing nicely.

Good report Oyster Bay.

No disrespect to the lads who are on the touring party but it would have looked stronger with the players Sandercock stopped from going, in particular in the forwards Green and Allott, and in the backs Heil and Salter.

Another tough match next week, lets hope the lads who couldn't make this game are back for the final tour match.

I think that on the whole Rovers have taken the right players away. The likes of Ollett, Green, Salter and Heil are getting their own great experience training day in day out with the first team. If Salter had gone then he wouldnt have featured against Hull. He will have learned masses from that game.
There are a couple of omissions i am surprised about but i dont know the players personal circumstances and maybe they were not available to tour and there are a couple out there that i disagree with, one in particular, but i trust that Rovers picked them all on merit and wish them all well.

Good of Justin Morgan to call in on the lads,top man !

I have some photos which we have downloaded to our email box (Microsoft Outlook) -- how do I link/attach them to this site please?

The easiest way is to upload them (one by one) to tinypic.com because there is no registration required, each will give you an image code to post here.

Many thanks for your response it's late here but will try tomorrow.

Looking forward to them, If you have any trouble putting them up you're free to email them to me and I'll post them up for you.

Agree. Although a lot of them would have been disappointed not to go, the main aim is getting them into the first team.

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Some photos courtesy of oyster bay, Thank's very much.

Thanks Oyster bay,looks like the kc with all those mt seats !