Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club won the final game of 2013 to get their Durham and Northumberland Division 3 campaign back on track.  With a number of key players out injured, Aycliffe’s squad showed its strength in depth by being able to fill all the gaps.  On a gusty day, the weather was always likely to be a factor and Aycliffe kicked off the first half into the wind.
Aycliffe began strongly, and initially were on top in all aspects of the game.  A number of chances were made, but not capitalised on, before good hands in the back line released James Thacker for a try that Luke Tinkler converted.  Seghill now began to use the wind well and developed a kicking game than got them back in the match.
The wind had its effect when a clearance kick from Aycliffe was blown back across the try line and the Seghill scrum-half was quickest to react to score a converted try.  With the last play of the half, Seghill broke clear and scored a try in the corner; the score was 12 – 7 at the break.
Aycliffe knew that if they played a simple game they had the class to get the win, and so it proved.  More good handling saw Thacker get his second try to equal the score.  By now, Andrew Littlefair and Drew Gibson were beginning to cause havoc to Seghill’s lineouts, and their runs were shredding the defence.
From a tap penalty that resulted in a ruck on the 5-metre line, Chris Richards fed the ball to Chris Knight, whose angled run saw him score without a hand laid on him; Tinkler added the extras.  Darrell McLaren secured the bonus point when Thacker cut through the defence and gave him the easiest of opportunities and Richards completed the scoring touching down from the back of a ruck.  A further Tinkler conversion made the score 31 – 12 to complete a satisfying come-back.
Aycliffe now take a Christmas break, the next game will be at Moore Lane when they host Washington on 4th January.  The game will kick-off at 2.15pm and will be followed by the presentation of the club’ RFU Club Accreditation Shield by the John Scott, the president of the Durham County RFU. The club’s Christmas party will be held at the Sports Club on Saturday 21st December.
Newton Aycliffe are sponsored by Boola Clothing Aycliffe and Hayward Home Appliances, trading as Serviceforce. Visit the website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/newtonaycliffe.