Pro Plumb Essex Eels made what seems to becoming their annual trip over the North Sea at the weekend to once again assist with the devlopment of League in the Netherlands.
This is the third time in as many years Stuart Hogg has supported the Dutch innitative by sending a side over to Holland.
In 2003 the Eels played Ter Werve Den Haag then last august entered a team in the Rotterdam Nines.
Saturday at RC The Hookers in the town of Hoek van Holland the Eels helped the progress of the Dutch when they took on a combined Hoek van Holland/Rotterdam side playing under the flag of the Zuid Holland province.
Early long distance tries by the Eels saw them race into a 24 point lead as the inexperienced Dutch boys struggled to find the pace of the game.
Scrum half Maarten Helderman pulled back a try for Zuid Holland but at the interval they found themselves trailing 32-4 and looked to be heading for big defeat.
Credit must be given to the Dutch for their attitude in the second period.
Instead of collapsing completly they took the game to their English visitors and won the half 20-18 to finish the game 50-24 behind.
The back three of Bev Williamson,Ronald van der Broek and Daan Kloppenburg took the game to the Essex side and tries from Rob Oram,Tim Weerman and two from man of the match Raymond den Engelsman put some pride back into their performance.
Another step forward for League in Holland and with only three Internationals on show all the new boys showed potential which is encouraging for the selectors as they look to pick a squad to prepare for this summers international games.
A massive thanks goes to Stuart and all the Essex guys for making the effort to support Rugby League on the continent.
Captains Mike Muir (left) and Zuid Hollands Bev Williamson before kick off.
This is the third time in as many years Stuart Hogg has supported the Dutch innitative by sending a side over to Holland.
In 2003 the Eels played Ter Werve Den Haag then last august entered a team in the Rotterdam Nines.
Saturday at RC The Hookers in the town of Hoek van Holland the Eels helped the progress of the Dutch when they took on a combined Hoek van Holland/Rotterdam side playing under the flag of the Zuid Holland province.
Early long distance tries by the Eels saw them race into a 24 point lead as the inexperienced Dutch boys struggled to find the pace of the game.
Scrum half Maarten Helderman pulled back a try for Zuid Holland but at the interval they found themselves trailing 32-4 and looked to be heading for big defeat.
Credit must be given to the Dutch for their attitude in the second period.
Instead of collapsing completly they took the game to their English visitors and won the half 20-18 to finish the game 50-24 behind.
The back three of Bev Williamson,Ronald van der Broek and Daan Kloppenburg took the game to the Essex side and tries from Rob Oram,Tim Weerman and two from man of the match Raymond den Engelsman put some pride back into their performance.
Another step forward for League in Holland and with only three Internationals on show all the new boys showed potential which is encouraging for the selectors as they look to pick a squad to prepare for this summers international games.
A massive thanks goes to Stuart and all the Essex guys for making the effort to support Rugby League on the continent.
Captains Mike Muir (left) and Zuid Hollands Bev Williamson before kick off.
