This week saw Newton Aycliffe RUFC travel to Yarm  From the kick off the Aycliffe players ripped into the Yarm team and drove them back deep into their own half. Aycliffe’s tactics to pick and drive into the heart of the Yarm defence began to pay dividends. With Yarm struggling to contain a strong and aggressive tight eight led by captain Andrew Littlefair Aycliffe’s forwards produced quality ball for their backs to run. Fast passing saw the majority of the backs involved in a beautiful try in the corner with Adam Gascoigne out pacing Yarm’s defence to cross the line untouched. 5 – 0 up after ten minutes.
Aycliffe kicked possession away, Yarm decided to keep the ball tight in the forwards and an arm wrestling match proceeded for the next twenty minutes. The conditions appeared to sap the strength out of the player’s legs but to be fair Aycliffe’s players especially the forwards fought for every inch of mud.
When Yarm looked dangerous superb tackling from the forwards knocked them back time and time again. With less than 15 minutes left in the half James Thacker was very unlucky to be sin binned for what was deemed by the referee as a spike tackle. This ten minute period proved to be very decisive to the outcome of the game Yarm with superior numbers thought they could dominate the game. The Aycliffe team had other ideas as a collective the fourteen battered Yarm into submission every time the home team had the ball the firsts drove them back creating mistake after mistake.
By the time Thacker came back on to the field with a few minutes left of the first half Aycliffe had a line out on the twenty-five meters from their own line. The throw in was beautifully caught by Neil Morgan and his team drove him up the field the next passage of play was a delight to watch after several probing forward drives scrum half Warren parsonage darted past the Yarm defensive line and the quick quality ball that ensured fantastic handling skills in the backs which allowed James Thacker to redeem himself and score close to the posts. Adam Gascoigne taking over the kicking duties duly slotted home.
Half Time 12 – 0
The second half saw Yarm throw everything they had at Aycliffe for the first few minutes. A tactical change made by the coaching staff saw Luke Tinkler replace Warren Parsonage (whose legs were lost somewhere in the deep mud) Chris Richards moved to scrum half and Tinkler slotted in at his favoured 12 position. It wasn’t long before Tinkler made his presence felt. After more great ball won by the forwards Gareth  Parsonage opened the gate for Tinkler to dance through the bemused Yarm backs to glide over between the posts Gascoigne kicked the extra points (19-0) this try allowed the coaches to give the full squad of player a chance to play Mark Wilson replaced Jonny Griffiths. Jeff Hodgson, Bob Malvern and Adam Batley benefited from rotating the front row as did Mark Affleck who played his last game of the season.
Ex Mowden Park Veteran Ian Dunnabie made his second appearance for the club, he was a great help to the players around him for the short time he was on. Tries began to flow and the quality rugby continued Thacker scored his second Gascoigne scored his second and Tinkler finished the game off with his brace. Adam Gascoigne kicked four conversions in total.
Final Score 38-0
Next weeks fixture is a home game against Prudhoe and Stocksfield.
Aycliffe Rugby is sponsored by Whitehouse Funeral Services and Emres Barbershop