Newton Aycliffe Rugby played their first home game of the season against Guisborough Monks at home.
This was a tough first outing for all concerned but both teams approached the game with great spirit. The final score, 47-7 to Newton Aycliffe, did not do the game justice as it was a hard fought and well contested game.
Both sides had to contest with not having had much meaningful scrummage or lineout practice, or game play over the past 18 months or so, but despite that managed really well and provided an entertaining afternoon’s rugby.
Newton Aycliffe opened the scoring with a well worked try by Chris Knight after only 7 minutes. Luke Tinkler converted. Guisborough Monks immediately responded and after 10 minutes the scores were level 7-7.
At 26 minutes Hooker Dale Patterson boshed his way over the try line for a well worked close quarter try. This was unconverted by Tinkler due to him not having the right coloured kicking tee!!
Just on half time saw us once again capitalise on our dominance in the close quarter play to see Phill Sangster cross the line to make it 17-7. This was again unconverted – we really must find that orange kicking tee.
The second half was a much more open affair and saw Aycliffe open the play up a little more and this resulted in 5 unanswered tries for Newton Aycliffe. Ben Curran converted by Tinkler – 24-7. Andrew Parkin belying his excesses to sprint through and join in the fun – 29-7 (tee was too high this time).
Fed up with missing the conversions (we know why now) Tinkler decided to add a try himself – 36-7. Not to be left out Mikey Dunn’s return to Aycliffe colours saw him dodge and weave his way over the line for a well earned try.
The game was settled by a well worked team try finished off by newbie Jordan ‘Robocop’ Saunders, who had only taken up rugby a couple of months ago, he sprinted in from 30 metres out making the final score 46-7.
Thanks must go to Guisborough for making the journey with only 11 players. After a bit of re-shuffling, we managed to get the game sorted with two full squads. This would also not have been possible had we not had further support from Sedgefield Rugby Club so big thanks to them. Aycliffe Rugby are continuing to build the squad numbers. Any new players, of any level of experience, wishing to join will be made welcome. Contact us by message in club or FB page for details. Big thanks to match day sponsor The Mortgage Advice Centre.