Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club continued their remorseless progress in Durham and Northumberland Division 3 with a 32 – 14 victory over fierce local rivals Sedgefield, bagging a try scoring bonus point into the bargain.  Aycliffe have had the edge in recent contests between the two teams, but the games are always close.  Things looked ominous when from the first scrum, Sedgefield drove forward 10 metres, and from the second they were awarded a penalty try, the conversion putting them 7 – 0 ahead.  The speed of James Thacker soon put Aycliffe on the scoreboard with a try.  From the back of a ruck, Andy Littlefair dove over to put Aycliffe ahead.  With Aycliffe attacking again, Tom Hogan-Wharton took the ball out wide, Craig Holmes was in position to receive the scoring pass and he put the ball down behind the posts.  Luke Tinkler converted.  Before the half was done, Sedgefield struck back with another converted try and at the break the game was in the balance at 17 – 14.
Aycliffe were trying to keep the play open and early in the second half, a jinking run by Holmes cut the defence apart, Littlefair was on hand to score in the corner to gain the bonus point.  A penalty by Tinkler increased Aycliffe’s lead.  Sedgefield were unable to make much impression and with time running out, David Judge set off on a run down the wing before kicking ahead, the bounce favoured Adam Gascoigne, whose pace saw him score behind the sticks.  Tinkler completed the scoring with the conversion.  At the whistle, Aycliffe had a hard-fought 32 – 14 victory.
Aycliffe take a break for two weeks before returning to action on 28th March at Seghill; kick-off 3pm.
Aycliffe rugby is sponsored by S Cars and Whitehouse Funeral Service