at Druid Park, Gosforth
With many games cancelled due to the poor weather conditions, this season's County Cup competition looked like a non-starter, however, current cup holders, Tynedale, found they had been drawn away to Gosforth Colts in the first round and the game was to be played at Druid Park on the "All-Weather" surface favoured by the Newcastle Falcons & County squads. The game was arranged to be played on a Thursday evening instead of training and the Tynedale lads turned out in there numbers. Most significantly, we saw the return of Tynedale's inspirational Colts Captain Richie Ridley, following his horrific ankle injury at the start of the season.
Gosforth looked to have the larger side in all areas of the field but it was Tynedale who started the brightest with some fantastic forward momentum which saw them rumble up field and camp out just outside the Gosforth "22". A well rehearsed penalty move saw Jofess Northwood pop the ball to "The Fridge" Raine, whose charge was reminiscent of the Bull Runs of the Pamplona streets of Spain, unfortunately he was stopped short of the line by a vast amount of Gosforth defenders. Quick recycling by MattMatt Williams saw the ball sail effortlessly through the Tyne backs and into the safe hands of Rory Dixon on the right wing. After treating the Gosforth defence and their spectators to his outrageous trademark sidestep, he went over for the try in the corner. Ross Keady just missed the tricky conversion.
Keady would make amends 5 minutes later when a penalty was awarded some 30 metres out and to the left of the posts. The kick was slotted through the posts with such clinical precision that many a surgeon would be proud to claim this handiwork as their own.
Some fantastic rugby was played in the relative safety of the centre of the field by both sides for the next 15 minutes, however, a moment of ill discipline allowed Gosforth a chance to claw back some points with a relatively easy penalty kick on the half hour mark.
This entertaining half came to close with Tynedale leading 8-3.
Gosforth started the second half with renewed vigour and some fresh legs from the bench, although whose bench they came from was questionable. The Tynedale defence was rocking with the onslaught of the offensive, but nevertheless, held solid under the expert guidance of their prodigal son Rich Ridley. Some great work by both packs saw this game having both sets of supporters commenting with mutual respect for their efforts. The game was heading into its last few minutes when the Gosforth winger breached the Tyne defence and was looking odds on favourite to coast in for the winning score until he was felled some 15 yards out from the line by Matty Chard, a tackle which had the opposition questioning his parentage, in that, they wished to know " …where did he come from?…". Not a question you often hear being asked of a born again Prop Forward!!.
Undoubtedly, this tackle saved the try which would have seen Gosforth proceed onto the next round of the County Cup.
Tynedale showed the team-spirit which has been growing each week and confirmed that they can believe in their abilities even when they have to battle for every yard of the pitch. For their efforts they have been rewarded with a Quarter-final tie away to this season's favourites North Shields.
Date of which is still to be confirmed.
We must offer our apologies & above all else, our thanks to the lads who made up our subs bench who did not get a run-out on the night.
With regards to this weeks "Man of the Match Award" it would be fair to say that every single player on that field shone tonight but I would like to share the award between Richie Ridley & Matty Chard for their fantastic performances.