Middlesbrough 3rd XV 10, Newton Aycliffe 24
Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club beat a strong Middlesbrough 3rd team to brush away the cobwebs after the enforced break due to frozen pitches.
With 22 players available, Aycliffe used the opportunity to give games to less experienced players.
Early on, Aycliffe were under pressure from the larger Middlesbrough pack, but they maintained decent amounts of possession.
The hosts had the better quality ball but, when a pass went to ground, James Thacker picked up the loose ball and was too fast for the defenders, touching down beneath the posts. Gareth Parsonage added the conversion.
The home team fought back and scored a converted try of their own from a sustain period of attacking from the forwards. Slick Aycliffe handling saw Thacker add a second score.
The best move of the match saw the ball passed through numerous pairs of hands as Aycliffe scythed through the defence, before Paul Ellis appeared on Thacker’s shoulder to take the final ball to score his first try of the season. Thacker added the conversion.
At half-time Aycliffe led 19–7.
Into the second half, Aycliffe rotated the squad to give players games in different positions.
The scrummage had now become dominant, with Danny Prince and Lewis McCormick on top of their opposing props.
Craig Holmes made a number of breaks and only last ditch Middlesbrough tackling kept their line intact.
A penalty kick saw them reduce the lead somewhat, before Thacker and Holmes again cut through the defence, with Thacker receiving the return pass to score his hat-trick.
The final score was a highly satisfying 24–10 to Aycliffe and the game should see them in good stead for the remainder of the league season.
Aycliffe visit Richmondshire this Saturday for their twice postponed league encounter; kick-off 2.15pm.
Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club are sponsored by Workshop Supplies, Lift Right Forklift Training, and Taylor Hastwell.
Visit the website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/newtonaycliffe