Mounts Bay 14 v Tynedale 32 (Half Time: 7-5)
Tynedale's final match of the season was played out for large parts in torrential rain on a soggy surface and after struggling to adopt to the conditions in the first half Tyne took a firm grip on affairs in the second period to run out comfortable winners over Mounts Bay who's future appears to be a little uncertain.
Tyne had to defend throughout most of the early exchanges but demonstrated their cutting edge when Jack Harrison scored a try after 27 minutes from what was, at this stage, a rare Tyne attack.
Tyne's first half tactics were hindered by the weather and when Bay scored a converted try on the stroke of half time it was no more than they deserved.
Tyne took control of events in the second period and Charlie Ingall scored a try after 17 minutes which was quickly followed by a penalty from Gavin Beasley. Tyne were now playing easily their best rugby of the match and Harrison and Matthew Fieldhouse each scored tries in the space of 3 minutes to give the visitors a 27-5 lead with 68 minutes on the clock.
Bay, to their credit, responded to Tyne's scoring spree with a converted try of their owm but it was Jack Harrison who completed his hat-trick of tries with the last play of the match to confirm an accomplished away victory in difficult conditions against a "rugged" home side.
TEAM: J Smales, J Hoyle (B Dumcan), J Harrison, J White, C Ingall, G Beasley, R Samson (F Shaw), P Southern(C Scullion), J Graham, R Harden, E Gesinde,K Showler (G Dunn), J Cousin (T Lavelle), G Irvin G, M Fieldhouse
REPLACEMENTS: F Shaw, B Duncan, T Lavelle, C Scullion, G Dunn
SCORERS: J Harrison - 3 tries, C Ingall - try, M Fieldhouse - try, G Beasley - 2 conv, pen
Tynedale 22 v Birmingham & Solihull 45 (Half Time: 8-24)
Champions elect Birmingham & Solihull came to Tynedale Park in determined mood and showed everyone why they are proudly sitting at the head of the league with an impressive, ruthless display of fifteen man rugby which on the day proved too strong for Tynedale who played their part in an entertaining match of fast, free-flowing rugby.
Birmingham took the game to Tynedale from the kick off and missed a long range penalty after only 3 minutes. Tynedale then began to win some useful possession and some impressive play was rewarded with an Andrew Murray penalty after 7 minutes.
At this stage it was Tynedale who were asking the questions but Birmingham's defence proved rock solid with some heavy, crunching tackles stopping several promising attacks.
In a ding-dong hectic first half Birmingham took the lead on 22 minutes when after a short period of pressure a chip over the top resulted in the opening try. Worse was to follow for the home side when poor defence/tackling straight from the restart allowed Birmingham to run over half the length of the field for a converted try - all of a sudden after a promising start Tyne were 12-3 down and facing an uphill battle.
Tyne forced their way back into the game and Birmingham had to defend deep inside their own half to keep the home side out. This was perhaps the key period of the game with Tynedale unable to take their chances and the killer blow came on 34 minutes when from a disrupted scrum in their own 22 Birmingham capitalised on a missed tackle and ran the length of the field for a converted try giving them a 17-3 lead.
Two minutes later and Tyne closed the gap when Birmingham once more tried to attack from deep but this time a pass was intercepted by James Hoyle who sped into the corner for an unconverted try. On the stroke of half time Birmingham scored their fourth try - another clever dink over the top leading to an unopposed try giving the visitors a 24-8 advantage.
The period after half time saw Tynedale once more take the match to the visitors and they were quickly rewarded when Hoyle scored his second try from a well worked move - Beasley converting to make the score 15-24.
Tyne threatened several times in this third quarter but again the visitors defence proved solid and after 19 minutes of the half Birmingham scored from their fiirst real attack of the half - their strong, fast physical running once more proving too much for several would be Tynedale tacklers.
On 33 minutes Birmingham's forwards linked to go over for their sixth try and in stoppage time what looked like being a sure Tyne try under the posts ended with Birmingham breaking away and running the full length of the field to score.
A Tynedale consolation try came in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Ross Samson scampered over for a deserved try.
The match perhaps highlighted several areas that Tynedale's players need to work on to reach a higher status but nevertheless it was a truly entertaining display of rugby to mark Tynedale's final home match of what has been another exceptional season. Well done everyone!
TEAM: J Smales, P Cole (J Hoyle), J Harrison, J White, C Ingall, G Beasley, R Samson, P Southern(C Scullion), J Graham (M Fieldhouse), R Harden, A Murray, E Gesinde (K Showler), J Murray, G Irvin, G Beasley (G MacGilchrist) (M Fieldhouse)
REPLACEMENTS: J Hoyle, G MacGilchrist, M Fieldhouse, C Scullion, K Showler
SCORERS: A Murray - pen, J Hoyle - 2 tries, R Samson - try, Gavin Beasley - 2 convs
WAITROSE MAN OF THE MATCH: Greg Irvin
Wharfedale 10 v Tynedale 14 (Half Time: 0-14)
Tynedale were probably fortunate to come away from Wharfedale with a victory as it was the home side who generally dominated possession and territory in a match played in poor wet conditions which made handling difficult.
Both sides were missing key players with the home side missing their usual kicker which proved critical in a surprisingly low scoring match.
It was the Tynedale defence which proved the match winner and after defending for the majority of the first half Tyne scored two tries in the minutes leading upto the interval through Jack Harrison and Rupert Harden - both converted by Gavin Beasley to establish a 14-0 half time lead.
Conditions worsened in the second period but the home side continued to have the better of things without being able to force a score until the 71st minute when they crossed for their first score of the match. That try went unconverted as was their second try which quickly followed but Tynedale held out for the final 10 minutes to record successive away victorys.
TEAM: J Smales (J Hoyle), P Cole, J Harrison, J White (F Shaw), C Ingall, G Beasley, R Samson, J Williams (P Southern), J Graham (M Fieldhouse), R Harden, K Showler (G Dunn), E Gesinde, G MacGilchrist, G Irvin, Grant Beasley
REPLACEMENTS: F Shaw, G Dunn, M Fieldhouse, P Southern, J Hoyle
SCORERS: J Harrison - try, R Harden - try, Gavin Beasley - 2 conv
Stourbridge 27 v Tynedale 31 (Half Time: 19-12)
A much changed Tynedale side started strongly against an injury ravaged Stourbridge side but after 20 minutes of almost continual attacks failed to register any score and were made to pay when in one of their first attacks the home side scored a converted try after 22 minutes.
Ten minutes later some questionable Tyne tackling aided the home side in scoring their second try and three minutes later Stourbridge scored their third try after Tyne had failed to clear a speculative kick. So after 35 minutes Tynedale found themselves 19-0 down after dominating the first quarter of the match.
To their credit Tyne regrouped and finally the pressure told with Grant Beasley crossing for a try after 39 minutes and Peter Southern scoring in first half stoppage time to cut the deficit to 12-19 at the interval.
Although Stourbridge started the secoind half well and converted a penalty after 5 minutes it was Tynedale who were generally now well on top and scores came quickly in a purple 10 minute period with Jamie Murray scoring after 7 minutes, Jack Harrison after 13minutes and Grant Beasley grabbing his second after 16 minutes to give Tyne a 31-22 lead.
With the home side on the rack Tyne failed to see them off however and some poor defensive work led to a fourth home try after 27 minutes of the half to bring the score back to 27-31. Tynedale were however able to utilise the wind advantage to pin Stourbridge back in their own half and ensure victory was their's.
TEAM: J Smales, P Cole, J Harrison, C Ingall, F Shaw, Gavin Beasley, R Samson, P Southern, M Fieldhouse, R Harden, B Marshall, K Showler, J Murray, G Irvin, Grant Beasley
REPLACEMENTS: J White, G MacGilchrist, J Graham, J Williams, G Dunn
SCORERS: Grant Beasley - 2 tries, P Southern - try, J Murray - try, J Harrison - try, Gavin Beasley - 3 convs
Tynedale 35 v Redruth 24 (Half Time: 13-14)
Tynedale won a pulsating, thrilling encounter against league leaders Redruth to maintain their home league record and destroy Redruth's promotion ambitions.
Tyne got off to a flying start and were quickly rewarded with Jack Harrison scoring the try after a Gavin Beasley break had created the space - 5-0 lead after only four minutes play.
Tyne were stretching the Redruth defence on a regular basis but were restricted to a Rob Miller penalty after 9 minutes and Tyne were made to pay for not taking their chances when Redruth were rewarded a penalty try on 14 minutes after the Tyne front row had been penalised twice at a Redfruth 5-metre scrum.
Tyne generally had the better of things in the opening period but their scoring was restricted to a second Miller penalty on 38 minutes before Redruth showed clinical finishing when they cut through Tyne's defence with relative ease as half time approched to go into a 14-13 lead.
Redruth had the better of things in the period after half time as they looked to enhance their lead. After 9 minutes the visitors kicked a penalty as Joe Graham was yellow carded and things looked ominous for Tynedale. Tyne came back however and were rewarded with a third Miller penalty but almost direct from the restart Tyne lost focus and Redruth crossed for a soft try which was converted from wide out to give thge visitors what looked like a comfortable 24-16 lead.
Tyne had to defend strongly to keep out a further Redruth attack but with Graham back on the field the match gradually began to swing back Tynedale's way with captain Jamie Murray sparking several attacks from deep positions.
The try that the crowd had been hoping for came after 28 minutes when Jack Smales finished off a typical flowing movement - the conversion was missed but the margin was now down to 3 points and the momentum was now certainly with the home side as they put together wave after wave of exciting attacks.
With the end of normal time approaching the Redruth defence was broken as slick hands and quick recycling led to Miller making a critical break and offloading to Jamie Murray for what seemed to be the inevitable try. Miller converted to give Tyne a 28-24 lead.
With a long period of stoppage time expected Redruth tried to force their way back into the match but they looked a spent force as the home side, sensing blood, ran everything back at Redruth and with two minutes of stoppage time played an excillerating break from Miller resulted in a try for Eni Gesinde - Miller converting to crown a spectacular final quarter to what had been a very tense, competitive match.
TEAM: J Smales, P Cole (F Shaw), J Harrison, R Miller, C Ingall, G Beasley, R Samson, J Williams (P Southern), J Graham (M Fieldhouse), R Harden, A Murray, E Gesinde (K Showler), J Murray, G Irvin (G MacGilchrist), G Beasley
REPLACEMENTS: F Shaw, G MacGilchrist, M Fieldhouse, P Southern, K Showler
SCORERS: J Harrison - try, J Smales - try, J Murray - try, E Gesinde - try, R Miller - 3 conv, 3 pens
WAITROSE MAN OF THE MATCH: Rob Miller
Cambridge 32 v Tynedale 18 (Half Time: 17-3)
Tynedale made the long journey to third placed Cambridge and found themselves always chasing the game against a physically strong and well drilled home side.
The first quarter of the match was played out relatively quietly with Cambridge having the best of the possession and Tynedale's defence defending strongly whenever required. The sides exchanged penaltied with Andrew Murray converting Tynedale's to match Cambridge's earlier effort.
Cambridge then scored two tries before half time which went a long way to taking the match away from Tyne. The first try was sparked by a decisive counter attack with the home side eventually crossing for the opening try after several recycles and some questionable Tyne tackling.
The second try was a disappointing score to give away with Cambridge cutting open the Tyne defence from first phase ball. Both tries were converted for a decisive 17-3 half time advantage to the home side.
An early second half Murray penalty gave Tyne some hope but the Cambridge forwards quickly squashed responded as they forced their way over withing three minutes.
A further Cambridge penalty took their lead to 25-6 but this seemed to spark Tyne into life as they enjoyed easily their best period of play with a series of blistering attacks resulting in tries for Jack Harrison and Jack Smales - one being converted to bring the score back to 25-18.
Tyne were now within a single score of Cambridge with twenty minutes left to play but despite having several threatening attacks were unable to break through with handling errors creeping into the play. It was the home side who scored the final try to seal a deserved victory and keep alive their slender hopes of topping the league.
TEAM: J Smales, P Cole, J Harrison, B Duncan, C Ingall, Gavin Beasley, R Samson, J Williams (P Southern), J Graham (M Fieldhouse), R Harden ,A Murray, E Gesinde, J Murray, G Irvin (K Showler), G MacGilchrist (Grant Beasley)
REPLACEMENTS: J Hoyle, Grant Beasley, M Fieldhouse, P Southern, K Showler
SCORERS: A Murray - 2 pens, J Harrison - try, J Smales - try, G Beasley - conv
Waterloo14 v Tynedale 38 (Half Time: 6-17)
Tynedale gained a comfortable victory at struggling Waterloo who showed plenty of spirit despite their horrendous season.
Tyne were quickly out of the traps and took an early lead with an Andrew Murray penalty after only 3 minutes. Tyne's lead was extended 6 minutes later when Eni Gesinde crossed for a try after tremendous forwrad play from the visitors - Murray converted to establish an early 10-0 advantage.
Waterloo than got into the match and were rewarded with a penalty after 20 minutes but Tyne quickly responded with Andrew Murray finishing off another forward drive - converting his own try for a 17-3 lead. Watreloo then converted their second penalty to make the score 6-17 at the interval.
Waterloo had a good period after half time with their captain intercepting in his own 22 and scoring an unconverted try to cut Tyne's lead down to 11-17 with only 9 minutes of the second half played. Straight from the restart Waterloo kicked a penalty to bring the margin down even further but Tyne then recovered their dominance and played their best rugby of the match.
Within a minute of the Waterloo penalty Charlie Ingall scored an excellent try and this was followed by further tries from Ross Samson and Kevin Showler - Andrew Murray converting all three to bring his personal points tally for the match to 18.
TEAM: J Smales, P Cole, J Harrison, B Duncan (F Shaw), C Ingall, Gavin Beasley, R Samson, J Williams (P Southern), J Graham (M Fieldhouse), R Harden ,A Murray, E Gesinde, J Murray, G Irvin (K Showler), G MacGilchrist (Grant Beasley)
REPLACEMENTS: F Shaw, Grant Beasley, M Fieldhouse, P Southern, K Showler
SCORERS: A Murray - try, 5convs, pen, E Gesinde - try, C Ingall - try, R Samson - try, K Showler - try
Tynedale 31 v Cinderford 10 (Half Time: 14-3)
Tynedale eventually came out comfortable winners over robust visitors Cinderford from Gloucester's Forest of Dean.
Tyne kicked off with a strong wind at their backs and were quickly on the attack and should have scored in the second minute when a typical barnstorming run from Ben Duncan created the platform from which a try looked likely until the final scoring pass went forward.
After several further close things the opening score did come after 8 minutes when Charlie Ingall finished strongly after coming in off his wing to take Gavin Beasley's inside pass - Andrew Murray converting for a 7-0 lead.
Tyne continued to press but their play was littered with numerous handling errors and inaccuarte passes in the dififficult windy conditions and they also began to attract the attention of the referee - conceding several unnecesary penalties.
Tyne came close through Jonnie Williams after 19 minutes but then Cinderford started to take a firm hold on proceedings and it was the visitors who dominated possession and territory for the majority of the second quarter. Tyne had to defend strongly against some strong forward driving and managed to restrict the visitors to a single penalty after 27 minutes.
Tyne eventually got their hands on the ball and scored the second try on 34 minutes when Greg Irving scored from a strong surge off the base of the scrum following a tremendous Tynedale scrum which had the visitors trundling backwards towards their own line.
The half ended with Tyne losing yet another player to the sin bin and many wondered whether a 14-3 advantage was sufficient with the wind to face in the second half.
The second period however saw Tynedale reverse the first half statistics and it was the home side who dominated possession and the visitors who fell foul of the referee although Tyne's tendancy to force the play in the visitors 22 meant the crowd had to wait until the 20th minute for the first score of the half when replacement Rob Miller kicked a penalty after a period of constant attacking.
The game was effectively sealed 5 minutes later when Miller cut through for a converted try after several quick recycles had stretched the visitors defence.
Poor concentration from the restart led to the visitors replying with a try of their own which really came "out of the blue" as Tyne generally continued to dominate. Their dominance was reflected on 33 minutes when slick handling resulted in Tim Visser swan diving over for a try which Miller converted for a comfortable 31-10 victory.
TEAM: J Smales (J Harrison), P Cole, T Visser, B Duncan, C Ingall, G Beasley (R Miller), R Samson, J Williams (P Southern), J Graham, R Harden ,A Murray, E Gesinde (K Showler), J Murray, G Irvin, G MacGilchrist (M Fieldhouse)
REPLACEMENTS: R Miller, J Harrison, M Fieldhouse, P Southern, K Showler
SCORERS: C Ingall - try, G Irvin - try, R Miller - try,2 conv, pen, T Visser - try, A Murray - 2 conv
WAITROSE MAN OF THE MATCH: Greg Irvin
Southend 12 v Tynedale 28 (Half Time: 6-14)
Tyne made the long journey to Southend and secured only their second away win of the season against a struggling Southend team who appear to have lost their way this season.
The hosts took an early lead with a successful penalty but Tyne quickly responded when Ross Samson shot over for a try after strong forward pressure - Andrew Murray kicked his first of four successful conversions.
Almost straight from the restart Tyne inflicted further damage when the Tynedale backs demonstrated their skills resulting in a fine try for Jack Harrison.
Before half time Southend had a period of possession but struggled to pose any threat on the Tynedale line and were restricted to two further penaly kicks - 14-9 to Tynedale at half time.
Shortly after the interval Southend kicked their fourth penalty to threaten Tynedale's lead but Tyne weathered the threat and responded with their third try when Samson crossed for his second try.
Despite having the upperhand Tyne's fourth bonus point try didn't arrive until right on the final whistle with Eni Gesinde getting the touchdown.
TEAM: C Ingall, P Cole, J Harrison, B Duncan, J Hoyle, J Smales, R Samson, J Williams, J Graham, R Harden ,A Murray, B Marshall, J Murray, G Irvin, G MacGilchrist
REPLACEMENTS: F Shaw, C Scullion, M Fieldhouse, E Gesinde, K Showler
SCORERS: R Samson - 2 tries, J Harrison - try, E Gesinde - try, A Murray - 4 convs
Tynedale 46 v Westcombe Park 14 (Half Time: 12-14)
After a somewhat lethargic display in the first half Tyne turned up the heat after the interval to secure a comfortable victory, scoring eight tries in the process.
Tynedale opened well against their visitors from Kent and largely dominated the opening quarter. The first score came after 8 minutes when Charlie Ingall finished well after a brilliant piece of play from Jack Smales had created the opportunity. A comfortable victory looked likely when James Hoyle scored shortly afterwards and several further chances went a begging.
Westcombe Park then out of the blue came right back into the game - the turn around being sparked by a fine individual try which was quickly followed by a second well worked try. Both tries were coverted to give the visitors, who had had by far the better of the play in the period before half time, a 14-12 interval lead.
In Tynedale's previous two encounters against Westcombe Park we had led 17-0 and 18-6 at the half way mark only to lose and draw respectively. Perhaps the first half deficit was part of a clever plan to buck the trend - if it was it certainly worked!
Tyne quickly regained the lead and the initiative when Hoyle scored his second try after 6 minutes of the second period - finishing well following some clever play.
The floodgates were now open as Tyne threw the ball around and Park didn't appear to have the appetite to do too much about it. Rupert Harden powered over from close range for a rare try after 11 minutes and Joe Graham scored shortly afterwards following some lovelly slight of hands by most of the Tyne team. Gavin Beasley converted this try to give Tyne a 29-14 lead with only 15 minutes of the second half played.
Man of the Match Joe Graham scored his second try on 21 minutes following a quickly taken tap penalty and then youngster Charlie Ingall finished well on two occasions to complete his hat trick of tries and seal what was a thrilling second half display of open free-flowing rugby.
TEAM: J Smales, C Ingall, J Harrison, B Duncan, J Hoyle, G Beasley, R Samson, J Williams, J Graham, R Harden , A Murray, B Marshall, J Murray, G Irvin, G MacGilchrist
REPLACEMENTS: P Cole, P Southern, M Fieldhouse, E Gesinde, K Showler
SCORERS: C Ingall - 3 tries, J Hoyle - 2 tries, R Harden - try, J Graham - 2 tries, G Beasley - 3 conv
WAITROSE MAN OF THE MATCH: Joe Graham
Blackheath 28 v Tynedale 3 (Half Time: 18-3)
Tynedale were distinctly second best on the day against a sharp, strong, determined Blackheath side who must be wondering how they didn't secure a winning bonus point bearing in mind the amount of possession and territorial advantage they held for almost the entire match.
Tyne actually started brightly and were quickly rewarded with a Rob Miller penalty in the second minute of the match. The first five minutes were however to be Tyne's best period of the match and the home side levelled after 6 minutes when Tynedale were penalsed in front of their posts.
The home side continued to attack strongly although Tynedale's scrum appeared to have the upperhand against the opposition - surely after the first three Blackheath put-ins had resulted in the home scrum being edged backwards, followed by the front rows going up, only a young promising but inexperienced referee could penalise the Tynedale front row for standing up!
With what seemed to be Tyne's only area of superiority negated by the officicial it was then a rearguard action for the rest of the match as the home side put together attack after attack.
The first Blackheath try came after 22 minutes from a 5 metre scrum following a long period of pressure - the try was converted for a 10-3 home lead.
Four minutes later an unnecessary late tackle gave Blackheath their second successful penalty and the second home try came on 34 minutes following a quick free kick aftter the Blackheath scrum had won the free kick for failing to take the "hit"!
On the stroke of half time Tyne put together their best move of the match but were penalised for holding on just when a try seemed inevitable - 3-18 down at half time.
Tyne were under the cosh for almost the entire second period but a combination of excellent tackling and a lack of guile by the home side kept the score down to reasonable proportions. Blackheath in fact were restricted to a drop goal after 19 minutes and a late converted try which came in the second minute of extra time at the end of the match.
Sadly a disappointing day for Tynedale was made worse with Grant Rastall leaving the field with a serious shoulder injury in the last quarter of the match.
TEAM: J Smales (G Beasley), F Shaw, J Harrison, B Duncan, J Hoyle, R Miller, R Samson, P Southern (J Williams), J Graham, R Harden , A Murray, B Marshall (K Showler), G MacGilchrist, G Irvin, G Rastall (M Fieldhouse)
REPLACEMENTS: G Beasley, J Williams, M Fieldhouse, D Grattan, K Showler
SCORERS: R Miller - pen
Tynedale 23 v Bedford Blues 30 (Half Time: 10-17)
EDF Energy National Trophy - 4th Roumd
Tynedale went out of the EDF National Trophy after a hard fought contest against Divison One side Bedford Blues who currently hold 5th spot in their league.
Tyne got off to the worst possible start when they failed to take Bedford's kick off and were subsequently penalised - Bedford kicked the penalty for a 3-0 lead with less than a minute on the clock.
The first 15 minutes proved costly for Tyne as they struggled to get any possession against an impressive Blues side who were particularly strong and sharp in the contact areas. After 8 minutes Tyne were harshly penalised at a Bedford scrummage and from the resultant lineout Bedford scored a try from a rehearsed move which Tynedale's organisation failed to deal with.
Worse was to quickly follow when Bedford scored their second try after only 13 minutes play to give them an early 17-0 lead.
At this stage Tynedale at last started to win some ball and for the next 30 minutes proved more than a handfull for the visitors with the Tyne backs cutting through the opposition on several occasions.
After 20 minutes Tyne missed a kickable penalty to get their score moving but the opening score did come eight minutes later courtesy of a Tom Dillon try. The move was started in fine fashion by the excellent Jamie Murray and slick hands led to Rob Miller being held up over the line before the ball was offloaded for Dillon to score.
Five minutes later Tyne narrowed the margin to 7 points when Miller kicked a penalty after further impressive play by a now dominant Tynedale side.
In the 7th minute of first half stoppage time a long range Tyne penalty fell short to leave an interesting 10-17 scoreline at the interval.
Like Tyne in the first half Bedford failed to deal with the second half kick off and as a consequence found themselves defending deep in their own half. After 2 minutes Tyne missed a very kickably penalty but Miller converted a long range penalty within a minute to make the score 13-17.
Within 2 minutes further strong Tynedale play resulted in a third successful penalty to narrow the deficit to a single point .
At this stage Bedford steadied the ship and with 10 minutes of the second half played kicked their second penalty after missimg an easy kick minutes earlier - 16-20 with 30 minutes to go.
Unfortunately for Tyne the next stage of the match became messy and untidy with many stoppages and the home side were never able to re-establish themselves. The streetwise Blues side scored a vital try in one of their few second half sorties to effectively seal their victory although the champagne moment came in stoppage time when Robert Miller scored a brilliant individual try - seeming to beat half the Bedford side with a mesmerising run.
TEAM: J Smales, F Shaw, J Harrison, T Dillon (C Ingall), J Hoyle (P Cole), R Miller, R Samson, J Williams (P Southern), J Graham (M Fieldhouse), R Harden , A Murray, B Marshall, J Murray, G Irvin, G Rastall (G MacGilchrist)
REPLACEMENTS: W Massey, P Cole, C Ingall, P Southern, M Fieldhouse, G MacGilchrist, K Showler
SCORERS: T Dillon - try, R Miller - try, 2 convs, 3 pens
Tynedale 29 v Launceston 17 (Half Time: 29-7)
Tyne looked refreshed following a three week break as they brushed aside the Cornish "All Blacks" to retain their unbeaten home run.
The match was played on a frost hardened pitch with a slippy surface but both sides appeared to adapt to the conditions without too much obvious difficulty.
Tyne played with a stiff breeze in the first half and were quickly on the attack. After only 2 minutes Fraser Shaw scored the opening try, finishing off some precise handling which opened up the visitor's defence with ease.
Tynedale continued to force the pace and were rewarded with their second try after 11 minutes when Ross Samson scored after some forceful play and neat interpassing again broke through what was looking like a brittle Cornish defence. Rob Miller converted for a 12-0 lead.
At this stage the visitors raised their game in an attempt to get back into the match but Tyne's defence held firm and an excellent brakaway from Stuart Johnson almost produced a third try. The third try was not long in coming, however, with debutant Tom Dillon finishing well after a period of pressure in the Launceston 22.
From the restart Launceston camped in the Tyne half and were rewarded with their first try when several missed tackles allowed their winger in for a converted try - 19-7 with 32 minutes gone.
Within 3 minutes Rob Miller kicked a penalty to give Tyne a more healthy looking 22-7 lead but the real killer score came after 36 minutes when a superb break from Jack Smales and a well timed pass gave Jack Harrison the chance to cross for the bonus point try - Miller converted for a convincing and well-merited 29-7 interval lead.
As expected the visitors came back srongly at the start of the second period but they were restricted to a penalty after 5 minutes. Launceston continued to play the game in Tyne's half but rarely threatened until the 27th minute when Jack Smales was yellow carded to be followed by Eni Gesinde a minute later. Gesinde's misdemeanour resulted in a penalty try being awarded and all of a sudden the match was back in the melting pot - Tyne defending a 29-17 lead with only 13 men!
At this stage, however, Tyne gritted their teeth and held out relatively comfortably with the Tynedale scrum completely dominating the opposite eight - turning over successive Launceston put ins.
Sadly the match was marred by 'man of the match' Stuart Johnson suffering another shoulder injury in the dying minutes.
TEAM: J Smales (W Massey), F Shaw, J Harrison, T Dillon, J Hoyle, R Miller, R Samson, J Williams (P Southern), J Graham (M Fieldhouse), R Harden , E Gesinde, B Marshall (A Murray), S Johnson, J Murray, G Rastall (G Irvin)
REPLACEMENTS: W Massey, P Southern, M Fieldhouse, A Murray, G Irvin
SCORERS: F Shaw - try, R Samson - try, T Dillon - try, J Harrison - try, R Miller - 3 conv,pen
WAITROSE MAN OF THE MATCH: Stuart Johnson
Tynedale 8 v Blaydon 5 (Half Time: 0-5)
Match Sponsors: Tynedale Agricultural Society
Before one of the largest league crowds ever seen at Tynedale Park Tynedale edged a victory courtesy of Blaydon's inabilty to turn territotial advantage into points and Tynedale's disciplined, excellent defence which held firm under periods of intense pressure.
The match was generally a disappointing encounter played out in a nervous, tense atmosphere with both sides struggling to create the space and control required for free-flowing rugby.
After a promising, lively start Tyne found themselves playing deep in their own half for much of the first half with Blaydon's astute kicking game continually pinning the home side back.
Despite being on the offensive however Blaydon struggled to threaten the Tynedale line until the second minute of stoppage time when they forced their way over for a try wide out. The only other real opportunity in the first half was a 40 metre drop kick which hit the post.
Tyne started brightly at the start of the second half and were quickly rewarded when Andrew Murray converted a penalty after 4 minutes to narrow the margin to 3-5.
Blaydon then camped on the Tyne line for 10 minutes but repeated attempts by their forwards to force their way over were repelled by the Tyne defence who stood strong to the man. Blaydon seemed to lack a plan B and Tyne eventually eased the siege to the relief of the home crowd.
Midway through the second half Tyne began to put some patterns of play into place and were rewarded after 25 minutes when Jamie Murray touched down wide out after Jack Harrison and Fraser Shaw had made critical incursions behind the Blaydon defence.
In very poor light Blaydon struggled to threaten the home line during the remainder of the match but would have expected to have done better with two kickable penalties on 38 minutes and 46 minutes with the last attempt drifting wide from a very kickable position.
TEAM: W Massey, F Shaw, J Harrison, B Duncan, J Hoyle, Gavin Beasley, R Samson, P Southern (J Williams), J Graham (M Fieldhouse), R Harden , E Gesinde (B Marshall), A Murray, S Johnson, J Murray, G Rastall (G MacGilchrist)
REPLACEMENTS: P Cole, J Williams, M Fieldhouse, G MacGilchrist, B Marshall
SCORERS: J Murray - try, A Murray - pen
WAITROSE MAN OF THE MATCH: Fraser Shaw
Tynedale 39 v Wadebridge Camels 5 (Half Time: 27-0)
Tynedale comfortably overcame Wadebridge Camels from Cornwall in a match played out in very poor conditions with both sets of players slipping and sliding around on a sea of mud. Half way through the second half in the gathering gloom it became virtually impossible to distinguish between the sides and it was a relief to both sides (and most spectators) when the final whistle was sounded.
Tyne dominated most of the possession and territory throughout the match despite a fine 100% effort from the visitors who play four levels below Tynedale.
Jamie Murray opened the scoring for Tyne after 12 minutes when he finished off the first real error-free passage of play after Gavin Beasley had stolen the ball to set the attack in motion.
Promising debut boy Charlie Ingall then scored a try after 15 minutes, finishing off some fine inter-passing.
Ben Duncan, who was more than a handfull for the visitors all afternoon, then outpaced the visitors defence for try number three after 21 minutes - Beasley converting to create a 17-0 advantage.
A fourth try quickly followed when the home pack drove the opposition over from a lineout - Stuart Johnson claiming the try.
On the stroke of half time Johnson scored his second try, finishing off a further period of pressure to make the scoreline 27-0 at the interval.
The scoring continued after 9 minutes of the second half with Duncan scoring his second try, converted by replacement Will Massey.
Johnson then completed his hat trick try before the visitors raised perhaps the biggest cheer of the afternoon when they scored their deserved consolation try - hacking a loose ball through from their own half for the final try of the match
TEAM: J Harrison, F Shaw, C Ingall, B Duncan, J Hoyle, Gavin Beasley, R Gash, J Williams, M Fieldhouse, T Lavelle , B Marshall, G MacGilchrist, S Johnson D Grattan, J Murray
REPLACEMENTS: P Southern, A Charlton, G Rastall, A Murray, W Massey, P Cole
SCORERS: J Murray - try, C Ingall - try, B Duncan - 2 tries, S Johnson - 3 tries, G Beasley - conv, W Massey - conv
Birmingham & Solihull 24 v Tynedale 28 (Half Time: 8-11)
Tynedale pulled off one of their best (if not the best) league victories when they defeated the full time professionals of Birmingham and Solihull on their own patch where they previously held a 100% record in the league this season.
Tyne started well and had the better of the early exchanges but mistakes cost the visitors several scoring opportunities as they took the game to their hosts.
After 15 minutes the Bees demonstrated their efficiency when they scored a try with their first real attack of the match to take a 5-0 lead.
Tyne were lifted by this reverse and they quickly levelled the scores when a slick threequarter move resulted in James Hoyle scoring in the corner after 22 minutes.
Gavin Beasley dropped a goal shortly after to give Tyne the advantage but in a ding-dong match the hosts levelled when they converted a penalty.
Beasley converted a Tynedale penalty on the stroke of half-time to give the visitors the lead which their first half display had deserved.
The Bees came out strongly after the interval and their early pressure was rewarded with a converted try after only 10 minutes to give them a 15-11 lead. The home side continued to look strong and a penalty 3 miinutes later gave them an 18-11 advantage.
Tyne, however, came right back into the match and threatened several times, with Ben Duncan prominent, before Tim Visser scored a try converted by Beasley to bring the score back level at 18-18.
The momentum was now with Tyne and Beasley dropped his second goal after 60 minutes to give Tyne a narrow lead but almost straight from the restart Bees kicked a penalty to bring the scores back level.
After 65 minutes Tyne regained the lead when some excellent forward play resulted in Visser's second try which Beasley converted for a 28-21 lead. The Bees pressed and kicked their fourth penalty after 77 minutes to narrow the margin.
For the last 10 minutes Tyne had to withstand extreme pressure but despite being down to 14 men (suffering another yellow card) they manged to hold out to a record a superb victory against the second top team in the league.
TEAM: J Harrison, J Hoyle, T Visser, B Duncan, F Shaw, Gavin Beasley, R Samson, P Southern, R Graham (M Fieldhouse), R Harden , A Murray, E Gesinde, S Johnson (G MacGilchrist), J Murray, G Rastall
REPLACEMENTS: R Gash, C Ingall, T Lavelle, M Fieldhouse, G MacGilchrist
SCORERS: J Hoyle - try, T Visser - 2 tries, G Beasley - 2 drop goals, pen, 2 convs
Tynedale 24 v Stourbridge 15 (Half Time: 12-5)
Match Sponsors: J.P. Westall Ltd (Plumbers)
Tynedale had to work hard for this home victory which was played on a pitch which was only just playable following the year's first hard frost. The Tyne performance was generally 'mixed' with good defence, a very strong set piece and a sharp cutting edge being offest by too many unforced errors and poor discipline.
Tyne were fortunate not to concede in the opening minute of the match after they had failed to gather the kick off . The subsequent Stourbridge attack seemed certain to result in a try wide out but with two men over the Stourbridge player knocked on with the line at his mercy.
It was Tyne who took the lead however on 6 minutes after a quick tap penalty by Ross Samson had got behind the visitor's defence. A couple of quick recycles and slick hands saw James Hoyle speeding over for the opening try wide out which Gavin Beasley converted.
It was the visitors who largely dominated the next 20 minutes despite being distinctly second best in the scrums and line outs. It was Tyne's lack of discipline which again came to the fore with Samson being yellow carded as Tyne seemed intent on upsetting the referee.
Stourbridge dominated territorially and only some excellent home defence kept them out until the 20th minute when a break from midfield resulted in an unconverted try.
Stourbridge continued to attack and were unlucky to hit the post with a penalty on 27 minutes. This let off was a turning point in the match as Tyne began to raise their game with their backs beginning to pose a serious threat in the 10 minutes leading up to the interval.
Tyne scored their second try on 38 minutes when Tim Visser, who was a constant threat, finished off a smart handling move with Jack Harrison prominent. The half ended with Tyne well on top and going close to extending their lead further.
Tyne opened strongly in the second half and Hoyle went close to scoring his second but it was Stourbridge who were next to score when they converted a penalty after 6 minutes to make the score 12-8.
Tyne then suffered their second yellow card when Joe Graham was carded after an infringement at the breakdown. Stourbridge failed to capitalise on their numeric advantage however with Tyne continually turning over Stourbridge ball at critical stages.
Tyne generally had the upperhand and after going close on several occasions scored their third try on 27 minutes with Visser getting his second of the match to establish a 17-8 lead.
Stourbridge came back well in the final 10 minutes but were unable to threaten as Tyne's excellent tackling continually stopped them dead in their tracks and the match was sealed in the second minute of stoppage time when Hoyle scored his second try of the match after the Tyne scrum had gone close to a rare pushover score.
The visitors did score a deserved consolation try on 45 minutes which was converted.
TEAM: J Harrison, J Hoyle, T Visser, B Duncan, P Cole (F Shaw), Gavin Beasley, R Samson (R Gash), P Southern (J Williams), R Graham (M Fieldhouse), R Harden , A Murray, K Showler, S Johnson (D Grattan), J Murray, G Rastall
REPLACEMENTS: P Cole, R Gash, J Williams, M Fieldhouse, D Grattan
SCORERS: T Visser - 2 tries, J Hoyle - 2 tries, G Beasley - 2 convs
WAITROSE MAN OF THE MATCH: Tim Vickers
Redruth 15 v Tynedale 5 (Half Time: 10-0)
Tynedale made the long trek to league leaders Redruth but were disappointed to come away empty handed against league leaders Redruth, a last gasp try to the home side costing Tyne a deserved bonus point.
Redruth, playing with the elements, generally had the the upperhand in the first half and only some strong aggressive tackling and a well organised Tyne defence kept the home side out. With only 5 minutes of the half remaining Gavin Beasley was yellow carded and Redruth kicked the resultant penalty to edge ahead.
Almost straight from the restart Redruth took full advantage of their numerical advantage and some strong, slick play resulted in a try wide out which was converted to give the home side a 10-0 half time advantage.
Tyne started the second period strongly and were rewarded after only 2 minutes when Jamie Murray scored after some neat approach work to make the score 5-10.
Tyne dominated possession and territory for the majority of the second period but were unable to break through a resolute home defence and their cause was not helped by several uncharacteristic handling errors at key times. Nevertheless the Redruth defence must be complimented on their exceptional discipline in not giving away any penalties despite playing long periods on the back foot in their own 22.
As the match entered it's final minutes it seemed the Tyne spirit was at last broken and yet again Tyne suffered from a yellow card - this time Eni Gesinde being carded. Again Redruth made their numerical advantage count and with the last play of the match they forced their way over for the score which denied Tyne the bonus point which their efforts had well deserved.
Undoubtedly Tyne suffered yet again from having players yellow carded - this is a serious problem which obviously the players and coaches are trying very hard to address. It is hoped however that Tynedale's very poor record in this area to date is not resulting in referees going into matches with pre-conceived ideas.
TEAM: J Hoyle, J Smales, J Harrison, B Duncan, F Shaw, Gavin Beasley, R Samson, P Southern, R Graham, R Harden , A Murray, K Showler (G MacGilchrist), E Gesinde, J Murray, G Rastall
REPLACEMENTS: P Cole, T Lavelle, G MacGilchrist, M Fieldhouse, D Herdman
SCORERS: J Murray - try
Tynedale 49 v Cambridge 15 (Half Time: 36-15)
Tynedale brushed aside second placed Cambridge - scoring six tries in a scintilating display of fast, high tempo, skilfull 15-man running rugby underpinned by a formidable scrummaging performance, an efficient lineout and a hard uncompromising mental approach.
The match was played on a greasy surface but thankfully the rain and strong winds held off for the duration of the match as the crowd were treat to a fine exhibition of free-flowing rugby.
Cambridge started the match well and within two minutes scored the opening try, their forwards driving strongly from a lineout to take a 5-0 lead. Worse was to follow when Cambridge converted a penalty with only 5 minutes of the match gone.
The Tynedale scrum had the visitors in trouble from the beginning and the match and things turned Tyne's way on 10 minutes when a quick throw in, several quick rucks and a Jack Smales break resulted in the razor sharp Jack Harrison going over for the try - Robert Miller converting to reduce the deficit to 7-8.
The second Tyne try came from Andrew Murray following a Miller break and some good support play and 2 minutes later Tyne's lead stretched to 19-8 when Smales sped over from 22 metres following some excellent handling by the home side.
Cambridge responded and were rewarded for a period of pressure and continuity with a converted try to bring the score back to 19-15.
Tyne eased further ahead with a Miller penalty on 27 minutes after the Cambridge scrum had been dismantled but it was the two tries in the10 minute period before half time which really took the match away from Cambridge. Smales scored the first on 34 minutes following a quick tap penalty and Joe Graham scored the second in the dying minutes of the half following Tyne pressure on the Cambridge line - 36-15 at the interval.
Tynedale began the second half determined not to let the visitors back into the match and the result was sealed within the opening 10 minutes of the half. Harrison capitalised fully on a dropped Cambridge pass, chipping through for a converted try after 5 minutes and Miller kicked a penalty after 10 minutes to make the scoreline 46-15.
The remainder of the match was in some ways an anti-climax compared to what had gone before as Tyne closed down any Cambridge attacks with relative ease and the only remaining score was on 39 minutes when Gavin Beasley converted a penalty to crown a very satisfying performance.
TEAM: R Miller (F Shaw), J Smales, J Harrison, B Duncan, P Cole, Gavin Beasley, R Samson, P Southern, R Graham (T Lavelle), R Harden , E Gesinde (K Showler), A Murray, J Murray, G Irvin (G MacGilchrist), G Rastall (M Fieldhouse)
REPLACEMENTS: F Shaw, T Lavelle, G MacGilchrist, M Fieldhouse, K Showler
SCORERS: J Harrison - 2 tries, A Murray - try, J Smales - 2 tries, J Graham - try, R Miller - 5 conv, 2 pens, G Beasley - pen
WAITROSE MAN OF THE MATCH: Jamie Murray
Tynedale 50 v Waterloo 20 (Half Time: 36-3)
Tynedale brushed aside struggling Waterloo with an eight try demolition job.
Tyne took the lead after 8 minutes with a try from Peter Cole but the visitors came straight back and converted a penalty for what was to be there only first half score.
Tyne were playing some scintillating rugby and quick tries from Fraser Shaw and Greg Irvin, one converted by Gavin Beasley, made the scoreline 19-3.
On 27 minutes Jamie Murray went over and his try was quickly followed by a try for brother Andrew - Beasley converting the latter. A second try for Shaw and a sixth try for Tynedale made the scoreline 36-3 at the interval.
Tyne lost a degree of focus in the third quarter of the match and Waterloo ran in two tries of their own to narrow the margin to 36-15.
Tyne, however, reasserted their authority and Eni Gesinde scored a try, converted by Andrew Murray beforeWaterloo, who battled on bravely, were rewarded for their endeavours with their third try.
In the dying minutes Peter Southern scored a try, converted by Murray, to underline Tynedale's supremacy on the day.
TEAM: J Harrison, F Shaw, T Visser, B Duncan, P Cole, Gavin Beasley, R Gash, P Southern, A Charlton, R Harden , E Gesinde, A Murray, J Murray, G Irvin, G Rastall
REPLACEMENTS: M Horricks, D Herdman, D Gratton, M Fieldhouse, K Showler
SCORERS: J Smales - 2 tries, P Cole - 2 tries, G Beasley - 3 conv, pen
WAITROSE MAN OF THE MATCH: Eni Gesinde
Cinderford 29 v Tynedale 22 (Half Time: 13-5)
Tynedale played into a strong breeze in the opening half and quickly found themselves six points down with the Forest of Dean side being rewarded for their early pressure with two penalties.
Tyne began to settle into the match and Joe Graham forced his way over for a try to cut the deficit to a single point.
Tyne played some strong rugby but heading towards the interval Cinderford pressured the Tyne line and scored a converted try for a 13-5 interval lead.
After a promising first half display Tyne were optimistic about their second half chances but were unable to maintain any ascendency throughout the second period.
Cinderford kicked two penalties to extend their lead although Gavin Beasley quickly replied with a 3 pointer. Further Cinderford pressure resulted in an unconverted try to make the score 24-8.
With 11 minutes remaining Jack Harrison touched down for a try converted by Beasley to make the score 24-15 but any chance of a Tyne comeback were dashed when Cinderford crossed with only two minutes remaining to effectively seal their deserved victory.
In stoppage time Tyne scored the converted try necessary to earn a losing bonus point when Matthew Fieldhouse finished off a slick handling movement - Jack Smales converting with a drop kick!!
TEAM: J Smales, J Hoyle, Jack Harrison, B Duncan, P Cole, Gavin Beasley, R Samson, P Southern, J Graham, R Harden , K Showler, E Gesinde, J Murray, G Irvin, S Johnson
REPLACEMENTS: F Shaw, D Herdman, A Charlton, D Grattan, M Fieldhouse
SCORERS: J Graham - try, J Harrison - try, M Fieldhouse - try, G Beasley - pen, conv, J Smales - conv
Tynedale 29 v Southend 20 (Half Time: 19-10)
Tynedale recorded their fourth straight home league win of the season against an attractive Southend side at windswept Corbridge.
Tynedale kicked off with the advantage of a strong wind in the first half but soon found themselves seven points down when lack of focus in defence allowed the Southend centre to slice through for the opening score.
Tyne responded in a positive fashion and 5 minutes later scored their first try when Jack Smales capitalised fully on a fine pass from Gavin Beasley - who then converted to bring the scores level.
After 20 minutes Tyne took the lead when Peter Cole raced in after some aggressive tackling on halfway had provided turnover ball.
Two minutes later Cole scored his second try when he dribbled through for a score under the posts, Beasley converting for a 19-7 lead.
Southend were never out of the picture and were rewarded with a penalty which they converted leaving the score 19-10 to Tynedale at the interval.
With the strong wind to face in the second half Tyne's lead looked slightly precarious and it looked even more so when Southend converted their second penalty within a few minutes of the restart, cutting Tyne's lead to six points.
Tyne had to defend strongly for the next 15 minutes as the visitors took advantage of the elements and applied a lot of pressure without being able to show a telling cutting edge.
After 23 minutes Tyne's fortitude was rewarded when some good play created a large overlap - Smales again fully capitalising for a try under the posts which Beasley converted giving Tyne a 13 point lead.
On 28 minutes Beasley kicked a penalty to provide more breathing space and although Southend came with a late rally Tyne's defence restricted them to a late converted try.
TEAM: J Smales, J Hoyle, Jack Harrison, B Duncan, P Cole, Gavin Beasley, R Samson, P Southern, J Graham, R Harden , K Showler, A Murray, J Murray, G Irvin, G Rastall
REPLACEMENTS: F Shaw, D Herdman, A Charlton, G MacGilchrist, S Johnson
SCORERS: J Smales - 2 tries, P Cole - 2 tries, G Beasley - 3 conv, pen
WAITROSE MAN OF THE MATCH: Joe Graham
Westcombe Park 18 v Tynedale 18 (Half Time: 6-18)
Tynedale came away disappointed in having to settle for a share of the spoils after holding a healthy half time advantage.
Tyne had to face early pressure from the home side who went into an early lead when they converted a penalty.
Tynedale came back and in their first real attack were awarded a penalty which Andrew Murray converted to level the scores. Shortly afterwards Murray kicked his second penalty with Tyne beginning to gain the upperhand.
From the Westcombe Park's restart Tyne attacked again and Greg Irvin scored after some strong forward play - Murray converting for a 13-3 lead.
Tyne continued to press and Irvin scored his second try on the stroke of half time for a 18-6 advantage.
Westcombe Park started strongly in the second period and quickly scored their second penalty. This was quickly followed by two tries - one converted - to bring the scores level. (After Park's half time turnaround in the play-off two seasons ago the Tyne supporters were left wondering what Park take as a half time pick-me-up!)
Tyne had to weather several further Park attacks before regaining the upperhand and should really have scored in the last 15 minutes as several chances went a begging.
TEAM: J Smales, J Hoyle, Jack Harrison, F Shaw (B Duncan), P Cole, Gavin Beasley, R Samson, P Southern (D Herdman), J Graham (A Charlton), R Harden , B Marshall (K Showler), A Murray, J Murray, G Irvin, G Rastall (D Grattan)
REPLACEMENTS: B Duncan, D Herdman, A Charlton, K Showler, D Grattan
SCORERS: G Irvin - 2 tries, A Murray - 2 pens, conv
Tynedale 16 v Blackheath 15 (Half Time: 5-9)
Tynedale recorded their third successive home league victory when they edged out Blackheath on a wet and windy day at Tynedale Park.
Tyne played against the elements in the first half and , as often happens, played their best rugby into the wind. The match was dominated by penalties with 25 given in the first half alone and Tynedale again suffered in the yellow card stakes - losing two players, one in each half.
Blackheath opened strongly and were rewarded with a successful penalty after only 3 minutes when Tyne strayed offside.
Tyne then got into the match, forcing the visitors back into their own half and were rewarded with a try on 16 minutes when Jack Smales capitalised on Gavin Beasley's deft chip behind the Blackheath defence for an unconverted try.
Blackheath soon regained the lead with their second penalty and play was generally quite even although the match was spoilt by a succession of penalties. Shortly before half time the visitors converted their third penalty for a 9-5 interval lead.
Tyne opened the second half brightly and regained the lead after only 4 minutes, Jack Harrison speeding over for the try following some slick handling.
In a ding-dong match the visitors almost scored almost from the restart - their player losing the ball as he was about to touch down.
With 10 minutes left Andrew Murray converted a penalty to stretch Tyne's lead to 13-9 but Blackheath responded immediately with a penalty of their own.
With only 4 minutes of normal time remaining yet another penalty resulted in three points to Blackheath giving them a slender 15-13 advantage.
Tyne took play into the Blackheath half and with only one minute remaining were awarded a penalty in front of the sticks - Murray converting again to secure the narrowest of victories.
TEAM: J Smales, J Hoyle, Jack Harrison, F Shaw, P Cole (J Harrison), Gavin Beasley, R Samson, D Herdman (P Southern), J Graham, R Harden , B Marshall (K Showler), A Murray, J Murray (D Grattan), G Irvin, G Rastall (M Fieldhouse)
REPLACEMENTS: Jamie Harrison, P Southern, M Fieldhouse, K Showler, D Grattan
SCORERS: J Harrison - try, J Smales - try, A Murray - 2 pens
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jack Smales
Launceston 29 v Tynedale 27 (Half Time: 17-10)
Tynedale made the first of their three long journeys down to the south west and came away disappointed to gain only a single losing bonus point after critically falling foul of the referee who yellow carded no fewer than four of the Tyne players for techincal infringements.
Tyne started well in what was always an open entertaining match and were rewarded with a Rob Miller penalty after 5 minutes. Further enterprising Tynedale play was rewarded when James Hoyle set up Ross Samson for a try under the posts which Miller converted for a 10-0 lead.
The match then took a turn for the worse as Tyne suffered the first of ther yellow cards when Jack Harrison was sin-binned. The home side took full advantage scoring a penalty and two converted tries to gain a 17-10 lead.
Tyne managed to quell the storm when Harrison returned but on the stroke of half time both Samson and Danny Williams were carded to reduce Tyne to 13 men! Again Launceston took full advantage scoring two further tries, one converted, to gain a healthy 29-10 lead.
With a full compliment back on the field Tyne took the game to Launceston and were rewarded with two converted tries in the space of 3 minutes through Samson and Miller.
With 5 minutes remaining Gavin Beasley kicked a penalty ro reduce the arrears to two pints but Launceston, aided by a further yellow card given to Rupert Harden, held out for the narrowest of victories.
TEAM: J Smales, D Williams, Jack Harrison, R Miller, J Hoyle (F Shaw), Gavin Beasley, R Samson, D Herdman (C Scullion), J Graham (M Fieldhouse), R Harden , B Marshall, K Showler (D Grattan), A Murray, G Irvin, G Beasley (G Rastall)
REPLACEMENTS: F Shaw, C Scullion, M Fieldhouse, G Rastall, D Grattan
SCORERS: R Samson - 2 tries, R Miller - try, 3 conv, pen, G Beasley - pen
Tynedale 45 v Wharfedale 30 (Half Time: 14-13)
After the previous week's disappointing display Tyne returned to something resembling their best in an entertaining feast of tries played out in rare sunshine!! The visitors, Wharfedale, returned to Tynedale Park after a gap of 13 seasons, and played their part before Tyne emerged as worthy victors.
Tyne spurned several chances before taking the lead after 14 minutes through debutant Danny Williams who finished clinically after a flowing threequarter move, Rob Miller, who was to have a 100% success rate with his kicks converted.
Seven minutes later right winger Fraser Shaw scored the second try after Gavin Beasley and Miller had linked.
Any thoughts the home spectators had of a first half runaway were dispelled in a 10 minute period before the interval during which Wharfedale scored two unconverted triea and a penalty to cut Tyne's lead to a single point at the break.
The second half continued with both sides looking to move the ball at every opportunity but it was Tynedale who sealed the match in a scintillating 11 minute period - scoring four excellent tries through Jack Harrison, Miller, Shaw and Ross Samson. Miller then stroked over a penalty after 66 minutes to give Tyne a convincing 45-13 lead.
To their credit Wharfedale kept playing and were rewarded with two tries of their own and a penalty in the last 10 minutes.
TEAM: J Smales, D Williams, Jack Harrison, R Miller, F Shaw (M Horricks), Gavin Beasley, R Samson, J Williams (D Herdman), J Graham (M Fieldhouse), R Harden , B Marshall, K Showler (G MacGilchrist), A Murray, G Irvin (D Grattan), G Beasley
REPLACEMENTS: M Horricks, D Herdman, M Fieldhouse, G MacGilchrist, D Grattan
SCORERS: D Williams - try, F Shaw - 2 tries, J Harrison - try, R Samson - try, R Miller - try, 6 conv,pen
MAN OF THE MATCH: Ross Samson
Blaydon 24 v Tynedale 5 (Half Time: 17-5)
Tynedale lost to local rivals Blaydon in a disappointing match where the result was determined by a combination of numerous Tynedale unforced errors, Tynedale's failure to take their chances and Blaydon's efficiency in capitalising on their chances.
The match started in frantic fashion with Blaydon edging the opening exchanges. The first Blaydon try came after 10 minutes - a long Blaydon kick downfield, a good chase and a charged down clearing kick giving Blaydon the opportunity which they grasped with relish - although a knock-on did go unnoticed by the officials.
The Blaydon score appeared to inspire Tyne who ironically largelly had the better of the remainder of the match with Blaydon only able to assert some form of control of affairs in the closing minutes. With the Tyne scrum beginning to impose themselves an equalising score looked likely until a promising attack deep in Blaydon's 22 broke down and the home side showed their paces in kicking the loose ball through for their second try after 22 minutes.
Tyne continued to attack and Peter Cole thought he had scored after 26 minutes only for the refereee to disallow the score for a forward pass.
Matthew Horricks was held just short of the line, and Tyne were penalised several times within 10 metres of the home line as the assault continued but it was left until the 5th minute of first half stoppage time before Tyne's deserved score came when the impressive Jack Harrison pounced on a loose ball to kick through for the try.
A 5-12 deficit did not reflect the match as the interval approached but worse was to follow in the one minute period immediately before and after half time during which the match was effectively lost by Tynedale.
In the 9th minuteof first half stoppage time and in the last play of the half Tyne opted not to go for touch deep in their own half , instead going for a deft chip ahead which went straight into a grateful Blaydon player's hands resulting in a score in the corner.
Tyne restarted the second half with a loose kick-off and a poor chase - the ball being collected by the speedy Blaydon winger who chipped ahead and gathered to score unopposed with less than 30 seconds of the half played!
Tyne continued to attack and perhaps were unlucky on a couple of occasions - first not to be awarded a penalty try rather than just a penalty after Jack Harrison was taken out when a try seemed definite and second when Peter Cole appeared to touch down for the try before being driving back by the desparate Blaydon defence.
A disappointing day for Tynedale with a lot of basic lessons to be learned.
TEAM: R Miller, P Cole, Jack Harrison, F Shaw (G MacGilchrist), M Horricks, Gavin Beasley, R Samson, J Williams (P Southern), J Graham (A Charlton), R Harden , B Marshall, K Showler, D Grattan (J Smales), A Murray , G Rastall (G Beasley)
REPLACEMENTS: J Smales, P Southern, G MacGilchrist, Grant Beasley, A Charlton
SCORERS: J Harrison - try
Tynedale 14 v Mounts Bay 7 (Half Time: 7-0)
Match sponsored by CI Accountancy Ltd
Tynedale started their campaign in National Two with a hard fought victory over a resolute Cornish side but it was the weather and conditions which really dominated the match.
As the nearby flood waters rose it seemed doubtful in the hours leading up to kick off whether the match would start and after 10 minutes of players sliding around in pools of water, handling mistakes and persistant turnovers it seemed the match would be a complete lottery. It was a great credit to both sets of players that with the rain slackening they managed to adapt to the conditions and as a result a reasonable match was on offer.
Play was even in the opening quarter with the visitors deft kicks behind the home defence causing several alarms. After 17 minutes Bay missed a difficult penalty and two minutes later Tyne were ahead when a crunching Phil Belgian tackle turned the ball over in midfield allowing exciting new boy Peter Cole the chance to demonstrate fine football skills as he hacked the ball on for a try under the posts, Rob Miller converting.
"Unfortunate" injuries to Stuart Johnson and Ben Duncan failed to ruffle Tyne and they held on comfortably to their lead until the interval.
Tynedale started the second period well and failed with two early penalty attempts. The critical score did come, however, after 17 minutes when Gavin Beasley cut through to feed the supporting Rob Miller who scored under the posts.
The visitors then had their best period of the match but missed a relatively easy penalty kick and were restricted to a converted try scored in the last minute of normal time from a strong driving maul following a prolonged period of pressure on the Tyne line.
The down side for Tynedale was that three players suffered serious injuries following what can best be described as 'cheap-shot' incidents - did rugby not move on from this about 50 years ago?
TEAM: R Miller, P Cole, Jack Harrison, P Belgian, B Duncan (J Smales), Gavin Beasley, R Samson, P Southern (J Williams), J Graham, R Harden , B Marshall, E Gesinde (A Charlton), S Johnson (K Showler), A Murray , G Rastall (G Beasley)
REPLACEMENTS: J Smales, J Williams, K Showler, G Beasley, A Charlton
SCORERS: P Cole - try, R Miller - try, 2 conv,
MAN OF THE MATCH: Peter Cole