Newton Aycliffe Rugby played their last home match of the season after completing their league programme the previous week.  The visitors were an Under 25 team from Bishop Auckland.  Aycliffe welcomed back former player Alex Lineton who has not played rugby for three years together with old boy Mark Affleck.
Aycliffe started quickly against a side who were slow to settle; Lineton drew the tacklers and fed James Thacker who ran 60 metres to score a try under the posts that Luke Tinkler converted. A penalty from Tinkler put Aycliffe 10 points ahead. Bishop were on top in the early scrums, but Aycliffe were the more powerful in the loose.  Aycliffe increased their lead when Thacker put Tinkler through a gap and the conversion was added.  Bishop fought back and from a promising position on the 5m line, they spread the ball wide, making use of the overlap to score a converted try.  As the half came near its close, Neil Morgan managed to squeeze over in the corner to give Aycliffe a 20 – 7 lead at the break.
Bishop were much better in the second half and began to impose a bit more pressure on Aycliffe, whilst restricting the scoring chances.  There were few opportunities for either side, but Aycliffe did add a fourth try when a kick through bounced awkwardly and rebounded over the line to where Michael Dunn was able to touch down.  Tinkler’s third conversion of the afternoon ensured that Aycliffe would win by 27 – 7.
Aycliffe are away at Darlington Stadium on 2nd May, when they play Darlington Mowden Park 3rds. Kick off is 3pm. Aycliffe Rugby is sponsored by S Cars, Smurfitt Kappa and Whitehouse Funeral Service.