Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club travelled to a much improved Washington with a mix and match team due to a number of unavailabilities and gained a fine bonus point win to move within striking distance of third place in Durham and Northumberland Division 3.  The shortage of backs meant that coach Peter Ryans had to play his first game of the season at stand-off and regular hooker Andy Littlefair played at inside centre.  The bench featured the evergreen Tommy Cooper.
Aycliffe began the match superbly, with their forwards dominating possession and a series of intelligent kicks from scrum-half Warren Parsonage and Ryans giving the Washington back three torrid time.  The pressure soon told; Parsonage picked up the ball at the back of a ruck and, drawing the defenders, fed Ryans who twisted over for a try, and no doubt he will be regaling everybody with the story for weeks!
A try for Parsonage from more good attacking work increased the lead and Adam Gascoigne, returning to the side after a long injury lay-off, outstripped the defence for a third try which was converted by Luke Tinkler.  Washington now began to put their game together and started to look dangerous; one break was stopped by a fine tackle from Jonny Griffith, who showed great speed to chase down the winger.
With less that 30 minutes on the clock, Aycliffe secured the bonus point when Ryans kicked the ball into space and Gascoigne fielded the bouncing ball, proving much too quick for the defence.  For the rest of the half, however, Aycliffe found themselves stuck in their own 22 as Washington mounted attack after attack, which Aycliffe did well to resist.  At half-time, Aycliffe led 22 – 0.
The second half saw Washington maintain their attacks as their scrum improved and Aycliffe tired.  Eventually, midway through the half, the home team scored a try from a maul to put themselves on the scoreboard.  With 10 minutes to go, Washington scored another try and it looked like there could be a grandstand finish, but Aycliffe girded their loins and the forwards took the fight back to their opponents, rejuvenating the scrum and halting the run of penalties conceded.  A penalty goal with 5 minutes left made the game safe and Aycliffe were able to run down the clock without any more alarms with a 25 – 10 victory.
The first 25 minutes of this match were the best seen by Aycliffe this season as they controlled all aspects of the game and the forwards put Washington on the back foot. Washington showed good spirit to come back from this start and make a good, competitive game of it.  Aycliffe’s next match is at home to Yarm on 13th December.  The game, at Moore Lane, kicks off at 2.15pm. Aycliffe Rugby are sponsored by S Cars and Whitehouse Funeral Service.