Newton Aycliffe 69, Prudhoe & Stocksfield 7
Newton Aycliffe’s rugby team maintained their top-of-the-table position with a comfortable home win at the weekend.
The match kicked off at 3pm prompt under the guidance of Durham’s Referee Societies Mr Alan Irvin.
NARUFC this week wanted to let the rest of the league know that they had got over their mauling at South Tyneside a few weeks back and were ready for the rest of the season.
Craig Holmes, back in the first team, crashed over the opponents line after a few minutes to open the scoring. From the resulting kickoff Prudhoe tenaciously attacked the home side’s line which resulted in a period of domination.
Aycliffe’s organisational skills went missing and Prudhoe took the lead when they converted a try, the score being 5-7 to the visitors.
Slowly very slowly The First XV began to get back into the game, Prudhoe who were very strong up front controlled the scrummage Aycliffe dominated the lineout, the break down area seemed to be 50/50 with neither side taking control early doors. Craig Holmes again crossed the line after some great play from the forwards.
The forwards finally woke up and began to play a more controlled game picking and driving close to the breakdown area caused Prudhoe no end of trouble.
The first half saw Newton Aycliffe go on to score two further tries through a pair of try scoring machines in Jonny Griffiths and James Thacker. Adam Gascoigne converted two of his four Kicks.
Half Time score 24-7
The second half saw NARUFC totally dominate proceedings seven tries in total were scored, some of which were totally breath taking to watch.
The running skills with ball in hand by this Aycliffe team are at times spectacular. Every player in the squad produced a quality performance which had a positive effect on Club Coach Peter Ryans who couldn’t take the smile of his face.
Try scorers in the second half where as follows Andrew Littlefair two Jonny Griffiths one, Luke Crossen one, Ben Walton one and Luke Tinkler two he also kick a conversion. Adam Gascoigne kicked a further four conversions.
It is not very often that a referee gets a mention in the match report but it has to be said that Mr Irvin had an excellent game his control of the match and his general feel for the game was second to none.
A special mention must also go to all round performance from Prudhoe’s No8 he had an excellent game and was an absolute credit to his club.
Final score 69-7
Club Coach Peter Ryans was full of praise for his players after the match.
“That was an excellent all round performance,” he said.
“No teams in this league are going to lie down and allow themselves to be thrashed. Prudhoe came here and worked really hard and our boys had to put in a big performance which they did.
“After Prudhoe scored we really got into the game and produced some real quality rugby im very proud of the lads today.
“We still have a long way to go before the end of the season but our goal still remains we want to win promotion.”
Aycliffe are 11 points clear at the top of the Durham/Northumberland third division.