Local Rugby: Newton Aycliffe 17 Chester-le-Street 5
Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club won a hard-fought victory over old rivals Chester-le-Street.
The visitors came to Moore Lane on the back of three straight bonus point wins after languishing at the foot of the table all season and so Aycliffe knew a tough match was in prospect.
Again the Aycliffe side showed changes with a number of players still unavailable or injured.
The visitors soon showed that their strength was in the forwards as they put the Aycliffe scrummage under pressure early on.
Aycliffe took the lead though with a penalty kick from David Gibson (pictured) and the now customary interception try by James Thacker, converted by Gibson gave Aycliffe a 10–0 lead.
The game was very disjointed throughout and the Aycliffe backs never had enough good ball to work with. At half-time the score remained 10–0.
In the second half Chester had the majority of the territory but on a rare excursion upfield Aycliffe increased their lead.
Quick ball from the forwards gave Gibson the opportunity to pop the ball to Darrell McLaren, returning to the side after a period away, Gibson looped round and received the return pass, scything through the defence for a try.
The conversion made the lead comfortable, and it needed to be.
Chester now spent almost the whole of the remainder of the match encamped in the Aycliffe 22, whilst the penalty count against the hosts racked up.
Good tackling saw that only a single try was scored and the final score was 17–5 to Aycliffe.
Aycliffe will host neighbours Bishop Auckland 2nd XV in a friendly match this Saturday (March 17), kick-off 3pm.
Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club are sponsored by Workshop Supplies and Lift Right Forklift Training.
Visit the website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/newtonaycliffe