Newton Aycliffe 14 v Hartlepool BBOB 17
After several weeks of fitness, team building and game plan coaching, the time came for Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club to start the 2025/26 campaign with their first preseason friendly against Hartlepool BBOB at Moore Lane.
Aycliffe only had a squad of 18 players, with several still away on holiday, however, they managed to borrow a prop forward from BBOB who arrived with no fewer than 25 players to enable competitive scrums to be held. David Gibson, coach, and the newly elected captain, led the team.
It was agreed to play the match in traditional preseason style consisting of four quarters of 20 minute periods.
After a close start, BBOB began to get on top and scored two tries before the first quarter was over. Flanker Rob Harriman was his usual livewire self in the back row, while Lock forward Wessel Weyers, in his first start for the club, also showed his potential.
At the beginning of the second half, Aycliffe began to play to their potential, Prop forward Dave Carney came close to scoring, the ball was recycled, and the guest prop scored a try. Centre Josh Dewhurst added the conversion. Five minutes later, Dewhurst cut through the BBOB defence in his mesmerising aggressive style to add a second try, which he again converted, to give Aycliffe a 4-point lead. BBOB were soon to score their third try though and after the conversion were now 3 points up. The last quarter of the game became rather scrappy and neither side came close to scoring and so it was the visitors who came away with a narrow 14 – 17 win. After the match there was an air of sanguineness amongst the Aycliffe squad.
It’s never too late to come and join Aycliffe rugby club. The squad will continue to welcome new players who want to be part of the club. A club which continues to reinvent itself and aim to play competitive rugby with a view to reach the top 4 in division 3 of Durham & Northumberland League.
Anybody wishing to train to play, no matter what experience, can introduce themselves on training evenings Tuesday and Thursday from 6:45pm at Moore Lane. New to the game and old boys will be made most welcome. The social scene is fantastic at the host club house, Newton Aycliffe Sports Club. Which probably has the best beer garden in South West Durham. Catch up about Aycliffe rugby on FB @Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club.
Match report by Clarke Koont.
