Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club tightened their grip on 3rd place in Durham and Northumberland Division 3 with a superb 6-try victory at rivals Seaham.  Aycliffe were able to select from strength in the backs, although there were a few forwards unavailable.  The weather was excellent but the pitch was very heavy underfoot.
As usual in games between these two sides, the forward battle was ferocious, but Jeff Hodgson and Niall Kelly were able to match anything thrown at them by Seaham.  The hosts looked strong around the fringes and in midfield, but Aycliffe’s defence stopped them making too much ground.  Aycliffe scored first when the backs broke the defensive line and Hodgson was on hand to score under the posts.  Luke Tinkler added the conversion.  The game was nip and tuck for the next few minutes, but Aycliffe struck again; Gareth Parsonage’s cross kick was picked up by Luke Crossen who headed for the line, he was brought down but was able to offload the ball from the ground to the supporting Stuart McIvor, who scored his first try in a number of years.  The hosts were not to be set back by this, and, with Aycliffe down to 10 men following a sin-bin, they scored three penalty kicks.  At half time, the score was 12 – 9 to Aycliffe.
The next score would be crucial and it was Aycliffe who got it when Crossen sprinted down the wing, Tinkler’s excellent conversion extended the gap to 10 points.  Seaham kicked another penalty but Aycliffe’s backs were now rampant.  James Thacker broke through the defence for Adam Gascoigne to touch down under the posts and Tinkler scored a solo try to make the game safe.  Throughout the game Ash Elliott and Andy Littlefair had again put sterling tackling displays.  With 5 minutes to go, Aycliffe were able to give debuts to Tom Hogan-Wharton and Ryan Atkins, who rounded of the scoring with a try in the corner from his first touch. The game ended with Aycliffe triumphing by 36 – 12.
This was probably the best all-round performance of the season by Aycliffe and great spirit was shown throughout the team against strong opposition. Aycliffe’s next match is on February 21st at home to Prudhoe and Stocksfield; kick-off 2:15.
Aycliffe Rugby is sponsored by S Cars and Whitehouse Funeral Service.