Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club went to the top of Durham and Northumberland Division 3 after a second big win of the season. Travelling away to Washington who themselves had had a big win in Week 1, Aycliffe were able to field a strong line-up, with vice-captain, Craig Holmes, having to start on the bench.
After a strong start by the much larger Washington pack, Aycliffe took the lead when James
Thacker made a clean break and Luke Crossen was on hand to score the try. Luke Tinkler converted. Despite being on the back foot in the scrums, Aycliffe’s back row continued where they left off the previous week and the backs always had the beating of their opposite numbers. A second converted try came when Drew Gibson, playing prop due to a front-row shortage, found Tinkler and Andrew Littlefair in support went over.
Good turnover ball enabled Thacker to get on the scoresheet soon after. A quick lineout from Adam Gascoigne saw rapid hands from the Aycliffe backs pass the ball out to Tinkler on the wing for another score. Tinkler was drop kicking all his conversions and added the extra points with a fine kick from the touchline. The scoring in the half was concluded when, taking a penalty from deep within his own half, David Judge saw a space and kicked the ball across field where Gascoigne caught it first bounce and ran in unopposed. The full set of conversions saw Aycliffe lead 35 – 0 at the break.
Washington remained on top in the scrums and competitive in the lineout and there was no score for the first 15 minutes of the second period. The next points finally came when Jeff Hodgson powered through the middle of the defence with first Holmes and then Judge on hand to score under the posts.
Aycliffe were now able to use their full allotment of substitutes. Ronnie Gilyeat was the next to break the defence and he passed the ball out of the tackle for Thacker to score his second try. The hat trick soon followed for Thacker as he scored a solo try. The final try came when Chris Richards gave the ball to Littlefair for his second of the afternoon. Tinkler’s 100% record with the boot finally came to an end when the last kick rebounded off the post.
The game ended with Aycliffe victors by 61 – 0.
A second bonus point win, and a second clean sheet sees Aycliffe proudly on top of the league, but there is a long way to go and tougher opposition to face. Aycliffe are still to confirm a game on 28th September. Newton Aycliffe are sponsored by Boola Clothing Aycliffe and Hayward Home Appliances trading as Serviceforce. Visit the website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/newtonaycliffe.
