Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club travelled to neighbours Sedgefield for the latest Durham and Northumberland Division 3 fixture.  On a murky and damp afternoon, Aycliffe were able to select a team from a squad of 23 players. These local derbies are always hard fought affairs, and this game was no different.
Sedgefield began strongly and the game was less than 5 minutes old when they crossed for a converted try. As the game wore on, Aycliffe gradually found their feet and Luke Tinkler narrowed the scoreline with a penalty kick; Jonny Griffith, despite being a newer member of the team, was showing that he can be a potent runner.
Aycliffe then found themselves temporarily down to 14 men due to a sin-binning, but far from going on the defensive, they attacked the opposition to such effect that they scored two tries whilst short handed.  First some slick work saw Chris Richards cross the whitewash and then, just two minutes later, Deryk Cairns scored from a lineout. With Tinkler adding the conversion, Aycliffe led 15 – 7 at half time.
In the second half Aycliffe were the first to score as Andy Littlefair went over from short range. Sedgefield scored a converted try of their own to keep the game alive.  The game was entering its last 15 minutes when Cairns added his second try to gain the bonus point and another Tinkler conversion seemed to have settled the game as Aycliffe led by 15 points.
Sedgefield had other ideas though and they threw caution to the wind and scored a converted try and, soon after, a penalty goal to get them to within a try.  This season has seen Aycliffe lose out at the end of the game a number of times and the large visiting support were getting very nervous.
If the players were afflicted by nerves they did not show it as good handling saw Richards able to cut through the defence, and Tinkler’s kick finally made the game safe as the visitors ended 36 – 24 to the good.
Hopefully, Aycliffe, with players coming back from injury, will now begin to make their way up the table.  There is no league game on 22nd November, but it is hoped that a friendly match can be arranged.  Details will be found on the website at http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/newtonaycliffe/.
Ayciffe Rugby is sponsored by WHITEHOUSE FUNERAL SERVICE and S CARS.