The new found strength this season of Newton Aycliffe RUFC was put to the test with the unavailability of at eight regular first team players. Saying that, on paper the team still looked extremely strong.
Captain Andrew Littlefair was unavailable through injury the responsibility of leadership went to Luke Tinkler. Aycliffe’s front three dominated the scrummage from the very first to the last, an excellent performance throughout the game from Adam Batley Jamie Whelan and veteran Mark Affleck.
Aycliffe’s forwards played really well Neil Morgan dominated the line out creating great ball for Gareth Parsonage and his backs to run at every opportunity. Seven tries were scored in the first half with both James Thacker and Luke Crossen each getting a brace. Jonny Griffiths Craig Holmes and Warren Parsonage each scored tries. And Captain for the day Luke Tinkler converted three.
Half time 41 – 0
In the second half veteran Ronnie Gilyeat entered the affray and Warren  Parsonage took over at 9. From the kick off Seaham fought their way back into the game. Their big forwards put their bodies on the line to win ball after ball driving deeper into Aycliffe territory time and time again Aycliffe’s defence held them out with some manful tackling from Jeff Hodgson and Matty Wiper. After ten solid minutes of aggressive rugby most of which time was spent camped on Aycliffe’s line Seaham final crashed over to score and a fantastic kick saw Seaham’s point tally at 7.
The resulting kick off saw Aycliffe regain the upper hand and to be fair Seaham despite their best efforts never really looked like getting anything else out of the game. Tries again began to flow Luke Crossen scored a further three tries to take his tally to five for the game.
James Thacker scored another brace for four tries on the day. Andrew Parkin scored a try and Matty Wiper ran sixty yards sell more dummies than Boots the chemists to score a cracking try in the corner. Luke Tinkler converted twice to give a Final Score of 80 – 7
This Saturday the 1st XV are away to South Shields k.o. 2:15 and the 2nd XV are away to Richmond 2nds.
Aycliffe Rugby is sponsored by The Shred Centre and Screentech Darlington.
Prior to the match there was a fitting tribute to a good friend and supporter of the club for many years, Ainsley Adams, 27yrs old who sadly passed away this week. Both teams stood for a minutes silence in his memory. Our thoughts and prayers go to Ainsley’s family.