Saturday 1st October saw Newton Aycliffe 1st XV take to the road once more to face Yarm. Given Yarm’s victory over Houghton one week prior to Aycliffe’s, this was unlikely to be an easy fixture. Aycliffe fielded a strong squad, benefitting from a pool of over 40 players who, with high numbers training, had made selection difficult for the coaching staff. The squad included an excellent 1st XV debut from back five forward John Barton. Aycliffe arrived in good time to facilitate a comprehensive warm-up and were on the pitch ready for the match ahead of the home side. The game began with an Aycliffe kick off which was well chased, and following a period of play between the two twenty twos, Aycliffe managed to take the lead through winger Jon McGuigan who made it two tries from two games. McGuigan was injured in the act and forced to retire from the field to receive treatment, making way for utility back James Cocks, during which time Captain Alex Lineton converted to take Aycliffe into a seven – nil lead. Aycliffe continued where they left off, working hard in the forwards to suck in the less fit Yarm pack, before releasing their backs who worked a well-drilled move which finished with physical wing James Thacker going over and taking Aycliffe into double figures. The game became fragemented, but Aycliffe pressed on, and following several hard phases, flanker Andy Tonkin crossed to add another try to his personal tally. Shortly after converting Tonkin’s try, outhalf Lineton took a blow to the head in contact and was forced temporarily from the field, resulting in a backline reshuffle, with James Cocks stepping into ten to cover in Lineton’s absence. Aycliffe maintained their composure, keeping ball in hand, and kicking for territory to push Yarm back into their own half. This pressure was rewarded as a break by eight man Andy Littlefair saw him dive over, though he was adjudged to have knocked on and the try was disallowed. Half time score Yarm 0 Newton Aycliffe 21 The second half saw Aycliffe return to the field with a few changes including dynamic forward Neil Morgan, who stamped his mark on the game by taking the restart safely to give Aycliffe a strong start to the second half. The second half was a much scrappier affair, with Yarm making a constant nuisance of themselves at the ruck, stopping Aycliffe from playing the fast paced and open rugby which they prefer. Despite this, Yarm found themselves again pinned back deep into their own half, and with the ball tearing from touchline to touchline, Yarm were unable to maintain a defensive line, and were helpless as Vice-Captain Niall Kelly stormed through a gap and over to take Aycliffe into a healthy twenty-six point lead. The following phases were frustrating for Aycliffe, as Yarm continued to infringe at the breakdown, yet saw no penalties given against them, rather appearing to gain from their transgressions as Aycliffe were penalised again and again
for various ‘offenses’. This continued pressure told as a strong Yarm maul allowed one of their backs to reach through the tackle and touch the ball down, spoiling Aycliffe’s clean sheet. The visitors were not finished, and managed to score one final try as fullback Adam Gascoigne sped down the left hand touch line to cross taking Aycliffe twenty-six points clear.  The game finished with a total of five tries run in by Aycliffe with the backs taking three to the forwards two. Tries came from Jon McGuigan, James Thacker, Andy Tonkin, Niall Kelly and Adam Gascgoine. Three of the tries and were converted by Alex Lineton. Final score Yarm 5 Newton Aycliffe 1st XV 31 The Aycliffe Newtonians fielded their strongest team since reforming last season, with  a massive 28 man squad turning out to play Darlington 2nd team. Aycliffe dominated from start to finish and ran out 54-17 winners.