Tynedale Colts were up with the larks on Saturday morning travelling up to Murrayfield the home of Scotland Rugby via Kelso to play a strong Quins side. The Arnold Clark sponsored team were expertly driven and looked after by Sean Jewitt on the PC Travel company tour.
With the only pitch playable a bus trip from the home club it was a hasty warm up and on with the match, this was not perfect and when the kick off only went 5 metres it showed. The Colts side were battling to stay in the game and when they got the chance sent the ball out to winger Rory Dixon who just got hauled down deep in the Quins 22.When it was cleared up field Tynedale strayed off side and Kelso knocked the penalty over to take the lead.
Another poor kick gave the initiative back to Kelso and it was not long before it was 6-0. With a wet ball the Colts were just struggling to get going knock-ons and dropped catches stopping many a promising move and with Kelso pushing it was only a matter of time before they forced their way over for a try to make it 13-0 at half time.
Tynedale had Matt Williams back from injury and he had a good game making some good breaks and in the forwards Chris Harvey and Jack Liddle were carrying the ball and getting through loads of work. As the half went on gaps were starting to be created and it was Adam Telfer who intercepted and broke through, what a pity it was not someone with a bit of pace, but the support was not close enough and Kelso again booted the ball back into Tyne territory.
As in the 1st half Quins scored the first points from a penalty and now Tynedale upped the game Sam White and James Raine adding to the blue and white drive. When Tyne were awarded a penalty right under the posts a tap to Fridge Raine and offload to Harvey got the score board moving and with Pottsy converting it was 16-7. Ben Ridley was almost through but failed to take the ball with him and so another game lost.
A very good trip with the lads seeing Scotland beating Australia and all of them learning a great deal about pies on the way home.