Due to numerous injuries and unavailabilities, Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club travelled to Yarm for their latest Durham and Northumberland Division 3 game with only 12 players, although the evergreen Stuey McLean made up a 13th man soon after kick-off. When Yarm scored three tries in the first 12 minutes, it seemed as if a three figure score was on the cards.
Aycliffe girded their loins and put in a stirring display of defence, with the centres Luke Crossen and Chris Knight outstanding. Aycliffe actually began to get on top of their opponents for a while and Luke Tinkler was narrowly short with a penalty kick.
Michael Dunn almost scored a try in the corner and then Craig Holmes burst through the centre of the Yarm defence. He passed to the supporting Tinkler who pinned back his ears and set off for the line but was hauled down just short. In the last five minutes of the half Yarm added two more tries for a 29 – 0 lead.
At the start of the second half, Aycliffe were again reduced to 12 men, this time due to injury. Ronnie Gilyeat was winning the majority of the lineout ball, which meant that Aycliffe had something to play with, and Richie Fothergill did his best with it in the unfamiliar position of scrum-half.
Despite the disparity in numbers, the scrum battled well and was never overwhelmed. Yarm were only able to add 4 tries in the second half, with the final two coming in the dying moments of the match. The final score was 55 – 0.
Despite the scoreline, this was a superb performance by Aycliffe and if the same commitment is shown when they have a full complement, they will be sure to add to their victory tally this season.
Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club is sponsored by Workshop Supplies and Lift Right Forklift Training. Website www.pitchero.com/clubs/newtonaycliffe.
