Tynedale 82 v Macclesfield 0
Tynedale crowned a memorable season when they ran in 14 tries to ensure they completed the league season with a remarkable 100% record. The celebration party atmosphere started early when Alan Moses sped over for the opening try after only 3 minutes. Further tries came at regular intervals with ever present Keith Johnson getting the second try. John Fletcher and Epi Taione scored a brace of tries each before the interval with other first half tries coming from Jamie Murray and Soa Otuvaka. The half time score was 48-0 with Tynedale well on their way to breaking their previous best league score of 63 points against Bridlington last season.
The power and pace of the Tynedale team left Macclesfield completely leaden footed with Epi Taione showing international form. It was Epi who scored the opener in the second period after only 3 minutes. Further scores came from Geoff Mason and Alan Moses with Epi getting his fourth and John Fletcher his third. The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Richard Cramb when he crowned what could be his last game of rugby with a try scored with typical panache. The real party started at the final whistle when league chairman Mike Lord presented the splendid Thwaites North1 Championship trophy to the beaming Simon Clayton-Hibbott.
TEAM: G Mason, E Taione, J Fletcher, G Fleming, A Moses(M Walton), R Cramb, S Clayton-Hibbott, R Parker, E Parker, P Winter, K Johnson(A Robson), R Taylor, S Bowen(M Lee), J Murray, S Otuvaka Reps: M Walton, A Robson, M Lee Scorers: Moses - 2 tries, 6 convs, Johnson - try, Fletcher - 3 tries, Taione - 4 tries, Otuvaka - try, Murray - try, Mason - try, Cramb - try
Bradford & Bingley 15 v Tynedale 22
Tynedale completed their away league program with their eleventh away win to maintain their 100% record. Tynedale were without Richard Cramb, whose wife gave birth to a baby girl on Thursday, and Steve Bowen, who was bed-ridden with flu - Alan Moses moved to stand-off with Mark Walton coming in on the wing whilst Andrew Robson replaced Bowen.
The match was a one best forgotten with Bradford unfortunately resorting to the kind of cheap shot cowardly tactics most people thought had left the rugby scene over 40 years ago. Surely "the B's", against whom Tynedale have had some keenly, hard fought encounters in the past , are too proud a club to allow their reputation to be tarnished by this type of nonsense. Their antics on Saturday hardly reflected that of true gritty Yorkshiremen with three Tynedale players suffering gouged eyes in the first half alone.
The game followed a similar to pattern to several of Tynedale's recent matched with Bradford storming into an early 15 point lead. Tynedale gradually gathered their composure and Soa Otuvaka crossed for a try from a maul following a line out. Moses kicked the conversion and added two penalties to make the score 13-15 at half time. Bradford rarely threatened in the second period and Moses kicked three further penalties. to seal the victory.
Tynedale lost the two Fletcher brothers through injury , John with a cut eyebrow after an accidental collision and Mark with suspected broken ribs after he was the subject of a typical cowardly attack whilst in a position where he couldn't defend or protect himself. One Bradford player was in fact sent off for a dangerously high tackle . Tynedale can look forward to playing a better standard of rugby next season whislt Bradford should look closely at themselves and their disciplinary record if they are to hopefully return to the respected club they once were.
TEAM: G Mason, E Taione, J Fletcher(Johnston), G Fleming, M Walton, A Moses, S Clayton-Hibbott, M Fletcher(Parker), E Parker, P Winter, K Johnson, R Taylor, A Robson, J Murray, S Otuvaka Reps: C Johnston, R Parker, M Lee Scorers: Murray - try, Moses - conv, 5 pens
Tynedale 33 v Morpeth 10 (Senior County Cup Final)
Tynedale retained the Northumberland Senior Cup in a scrappy match at Kingston Park. A spoiling Morpeth side made life difficult for Tynedale and it was only in the last fifteen minutes that Tynedale took command after Morpeth had led for most of the match.
Playing with the breeze in the first half Morpeth started the stronger with Tynedale failing to play the simple territorial game required in the opening minutes of such a match. Morpeth deservedly took the lead when after pressure on the Tynedale line they crossed for a converted try after only six minutes. Tynedale never let Morpeth near their line for the rest of the half but made numerous errors which made it a scrappy affair. After 12 minutes Alan Moses reduced the arrears with a penalty aftetr Tynedale's first real attacking passage. Moses missed badly shortly afterwards after a strong Jamie Murray drive. Further Tynedale pressure never looked like breaking through until old-head Richard Cramb dropped a goal on the stroke of half time to make it 6-7.
The Morpeth scrum was under intense pressure for the entire match and the Morpeth half-backs had to play well to keep them in the game. Five minutes into the second period Moses edged Tynedale ahead with another penalty but Morpeth had a rare attack which Tynedale at first repelled but were subsequently penalised which allowed Morpeth to regain the lead. After 18 minutes Moses missed a kickable penalty and the nerves began to tingle as play entered the final quarter. After 26 minutes and after several strong Tynedale scrums Moses kicked a penalty which edged Tyne ahead again. This seemed to break Morpeth's resistance and Tynedale began to gain the upper hand in most areas. Simon Clayton-Hibbott was driven over after a fine driving maul after Ross Taylor had stolen a Morpeth line out - Moses converting. With 5 minutes left Geoff Mason finished off in style after a superb Cramb kick and yet another driving maul. In stoppage time Epeli Taione stormed over with the Morpeth defence in tatters.
TEAM: G Mason, E Taione, J Fletcher(M Waton), G Fleming, A Moses, R Cramb, S Clayton-Hibbott (D Gaule), M Fletcher(R Parker), E Parker, P Winter, K Johnson, R Taylor, S Bowen(A Robson), J Murray, S Otuvaka(M Lee) Reps: D Gaule, M Walton, R Parker, A Charlton,A Robson, M Lee Scorers: Clayton-Hibbott - try, Mason - try, Taione - try, Cramb - drop goal, Moses - 3 pens, 3 convs
Alnwick 8 v Tynedale 34 (Northumberland Cup, Semi-Final)
Tynedale won this difficult cup fixture with relative ease after going 0-8 down after 20 minutes. After starting brightly Tynedale seemed to let the initiative slip and Alnwick scored an unconverted try and a penalty. Even at 0-8 down Tynedale maintained their composure and looked like a side who expected to win. Alan Moses kicked a penalty and Ross Taylor drove over following a line out close to the Alnwick line to make the half time score 8-8.
The second half was all Tynedale with Alnwick only rarely entering Tynedale territory. Tyne took the lead when a penalty try was awarded as the impressive Tynedale pack drove Alnwick back over their own line and then Paul Winter scored from a close in maul. John Fletcher scored the fourth try, picking the ball off his boot laces and then Epi Taione scored with a typical abrasive run. Tynedale were only denied further tries by knock ons at critical times.
TEAM: G Mason, E Taione, J Fletcher, G Fleming, A Moses, R Cramb, S Clayton-Hibbott, M Fletcher, E Parker, P Winter, K Johnson, R Taylor, S Bowen, J Murray, S Otuvaka Reps: D Gaule, M Walton, R Parker, A Charlton, F Mitchell, M Lee Scorers: J Fletcher - try, Taylor - try, Winter - try, Taione - try, Moses - pen, 3 convs
Tynedale 44 v Widnes 15 (League Match)
Tynedale overcame a very spirited Widnes side in an untidy contest at Tynedale Park. The kick off was delayed by almost an hour as a result of the Widnes bus breaking down but it was Widnes who started the more brightly with their right winger scoring two tries in the opening 12 minutes as Tynedale failed to control matters in the early exchanges. Widnes crossed after only 6 minutes after running a close in penalty . Tynedale scored their first of four pushover tries shortly afterwards with Simon Clayton-Hibbott having a field day behind a dominant scrum. With Tynedale looking to throw the ball around in festive fashion more scores looked imminent but it was in fact Widnes who capitalised when their right winger intercepted a loose pass to score his second try.
The carnival atmosphere continued with John Fletcher scoring a marvellous individual try from half way before Hibbott scored his second. On the stroke of half time Soa Otuvaka drove over from a maul to make the half time score 20-15. The second half was mistake ridden with the ball being flung about with gay abandon. Hibbott scored his third and fourth pushover tries before the Widnes defence ran out of numbers to allow Geoff Mason to cross. With several try scoring opportunities going abegging it was left to Jamie Murray to show the way when he jinked his way around the Widnes defence for the final try.
TEAM: G Mason, E Taione, J Fletcher, G Fleming, A Moses, R Cramb, S Clayton-Hibbott (D Gaule), M Fletcher (R Parker), E Parker, P Winter, K Johnson, R Taylor, S Bowen (A Robson), J Murray, S Otuvaka Reps: D Gaule, R Parker, A Robson Scorers: Clayton-Hibbott- 4 tries, Mason - try, J Fletcher - try, Otuvaka - try, Murray - try, Cramb - 2conv
Winnington Park 9 v Tynedale 34 (League match)
After 13 years Tynedale achieved their goal of becoming Thwaites North 1 Champions with a comfortable victory in a very scrappy match which was marred by the sending off of Epeli Taione after 30 minutes. In near perfect conditions Tynedale never really looked in any great difficulty with Park struggling in particular in the set scrums where there inexperienced props were completely out of their depth.
Tynedale opened the scoring with a penalty from Richard Cramb after only 5 minutes . This score was followed by Park's purple patch of the match when they kicked two penalties in the space of three minutes to take the lead. Tynedale then took a firmer grip on proceedings and Cramb kicked two more penalties before Simon Clayton-Hibbott scored the inevitable pushover try which Cramb converted to make the score 16-6 after 25 minutes. At this stage Tynedale had Epeli Taione sent off for throwing a punch at the home side's flanker. The flanker in question had been the source of several earlier 'questionable' incidents but Taione's retribution was right in front of the refereee who decided he had to walk. Fortunately for the flanker the punch was only a glancing blow. This incident sparked several heated exchanges as tempers flared. The referee then amazingly penalised the Tynedale front row for dangerous play which Park kicked. A further Cramb penalty shortly before half time restored Tynedale's 10 point advantage.
The second half was almost all Tynedale's when even with only fourteen man they managed to dominate most of the exchanges. Cramb kicked his fifth penalty before Clayton-Hibbott scored his second pushover try to make the score 29-9. Although Park tried to counter they were unable to break through and replacement David Gaule completed the scoring when he broke from half way. The celebrations could then commence!
TEAM: G Mason(D Gaule), E Taione, J Fletcher, G Fleming, M Walton, R Cramb, S Clayton-Hibbott, M Fletcher (R Parker), E Parker, P Winter, K Johnson, R Taylor, S Bowen, J Murray, S Otuvaka(M Lee) Reps: D Gaule, R Parker, M Lee Scorers: Clayton-Hibbott-2 tries, Mason - try, Cramb - 5pens,2conv
Tynedale 44 v Northern 22 (League Match)
(Sponsored by Barclays Bank)
Tynedale eased to within one point of winning the Thwaites North 1 Championship with a convincing victory after being 0-17 behind with only 20 minutes played. Tynedale opened strongly against a stiff breeze and had several opportunities to score. Remarkably it was Northern who crossed the Tynedale line three times in the opening quarter after, despite the wind advantage, being kept on the defensive for all but the three occasions in their own half. The first try came after only 5 minutes when the Northern winger capitalised on an awkward bounce and a hesitant defence to sprint in from half way. Worse was to follow three minutes later when loose handling on half way allowed Northern to intercept for a second try. A penalty then allowed Northern to kick for the corner from whera s driving maul produced Northern's third try. Fortunately for Tynedale Northern despite being 17 points ahead never looked convincing amd Alan Moses opened Tynedale's account with a penalty which was quickly followed by a Keith Johnson try when the second row supported, as ever, to capitalise on good work from John Fletcher and Jamie Murray. Shortly before half time Moses kicked another penalty before scoring a try himself after good play from Fletcher gave him the opportunity to run in from half way.
Tynedale soon eased further ahead in the second half scoring three tries in the first 15 minutes. They were awarded a penalty try awarded as the Tynedale scrum drove Northern back over their own line and Fletcher finished off after several phases of play had destroyed the Northern defence. Tyne also scored twice from driving mauls, Mark Fletcher scoring the first and fellow prop Paul Winter forcing his way over for the second. Northern scored a scintillating consolation try when their left winger scorched over after running from well within his own half.
TEAM: S Ferguson (G Mason), A Moses, J Fletcher, G Fleming, E Taione, R Cramb, S Clayton-Hibbott, M Fletcher (R Parker), E Parker(A Charlton), P Winter, K Johnson, R Taylor, S Bowen, M Lee, J Murray Reps: G Mason,R Parker, A Charlton Scorers: Moses - try, 4 conv,2 pen, Johnson - try, J Fletcher - try, Winter - try, M Fletcher - try, Penalty Try
Tynedale 63 v Berwick 19
County Champions Tynedale proved far too powerful for Scottish third division side Berwick, crossing the Berwick line for no fewer then nine tries, Playing into a strong wind Tynedale took an early lead against a lively, enthusiastic Berwick side when Alan Moses converted a penalty after only four minutes. Berwick were struggling to win possession and Tynedale's first try came when Epeli Taione side stepped his way through after the ball had been handled and re-cycled with pace and precission. Berwick never gave up during the eighty minutes and they scored three tries of their own in the opening half, the first coming after only nine minutes when the Tynedale threequarters were left flat footed to make the score 10-7.
Tynedale continued to hold the initiative against the wind and Gary Fleming scored after Berwick had failed to defend against a quick tap penalty. Taione then got his second when Berwick, trying desparately to keep the ball alive, only succeeded in giving Taione the chance to intercept on his own 10 metre line. Shortle afterwards the Berwick prop barged over from some close to the line driving mauls to make the score 22-14. The 'Super-12' style rugby continued with Scott Ferguson finishing off another superb passage of play only for poor Tynedale tackling allowing Berwick their third try. The half drew to a close after John Fletcher had dummied his way over to make the half time score 34-19 with eight tries having been scored.
The second half was all Tynedale - scoring four more tries. Ross Taylor got the first when he was driven over in a maul. Geoff Mason then finished off yet another superb example of "total rugby" and Taione and Fleming also crossed for further tries.
TEAM: G Mason, S Ferguson, J Fletcher, G Fleming, E Taione, A Moses, S Clayton-Hibbott (J White), R Parker (P Southern), E Parker (A Charlton), M Fletcher, K Johnson (P Hudson), R Taylor, S Bowen, M Lee, J Murray Reps: J White, P Southern, P Hudson, A Charlton Scorers: Taione-3 tries, Fleming - 2 tries, Ferguson-try, Taylor-try, Maon-try, J Fletcher-try, Moses - 2 pen 6 conv
Driffield 13 v Tynedale 28
Tynedale won their first ever trip to Driffield after stuggling in the first half. Tynedale played with the wind and the slope in the first half and struggled to make an impression. At half time the scoreline was only 15-13 to Tynedale with Driffield having scored two tries to Tynedale's four penalties and a drop goal. In the last period however Tynedale raised their game and Driffield were only twice in Tynedale's 22. Tynedale almost completely monopolised possession displaying an almost faultless example of continuity rugby with all fifteen players demonstrating high levels of technique, discipline and concentration. Alan Moses kicked a penalty to extend Tynedale's slender lead and then Gary Fleming scored after Epeli Taione had taken out the Driffield defence. Keith Johnson capped an excellent second half performance when he was credited with the touch down from a close in driving maul which Richard Cramb had help instigate.
TEAM: S Ferguson, A Moses, J Fletcher, G Fleming, E Taione, R Cramb, S Clayton-Hibbott, R Parker(M Fletcher), E Parker, P Winter, K Johnson, R Taylor, S Bowen(M Lee), J Murray, S Otuvaka. Reps: G Mason,M Fletcher, M Lee Scorers: Fleming - try, Johnson - try, Moses - 5 pen Cramb - drop goal
Tynedale 18 v Hull Ionians 8
(Sponsored by HSBC Bank plc)
Tynedale helped their promotion aspirations with a hard earned but merited victory over main rivals Hull Ionians. The match was again spoilt by a strong wind which made expansive play difficult but Tynedale edged the major exchanges to earn their victory. Playing with the elements in the first half Tynedale got off to a convincing start with Alan Moses converting two tricky penalty opportunities to get the scoreboard moving. Although Hull had their fair share of the ball it was Tynedale who went further ahead when after a good period of attacking Soa Otuvaka drove through the heart of the Hull defence to touch down, Moses converting to make the score 13-0 after 20 minutes play.
In front of a crowd of over 500 it was however Hull who edged their way back into the game during the second quarter with some controlled driving play which resulted in them scoring a penalty to narrow the margin. Tynedale came back well as half time approached and after Scott Ferguson had just failed to hold a scoring pass it was the same player who capitalised on John Fletcher's skill and awareness to storm over for physchologically vital try right on the stroke of half time.
The second half was a very tense affair although Tynedale probably could have killed the gane off stright from the restart when some excellent strong running play only just failed to produce a score. Critically Hull missed a vital penalty attempt after only 6 minutes of the half and as the half wore on it was Tynedale who seemed the stronger team. The match was cast into the melting pot when Hull scored an unconverted try after 16 minutes when they crossed for a simple try after a set scrum bringing the score to 18-8 with 24minutes to play. Tynedale had to defend well when Hull twice opted for lineouts close to the Tynedale line but the strength, organisation and discipline of the Tynedale defence was immense. From a close in maul Tynedale turned the ball over and it appeared that the Hull hearts sank after that and the last 10 minutes were played out in relative comfort for Tynedale as Hull seemed to run out of ideas and belief.
TEAM: S Ferguson, A Moses(J White,blood), J Fletcher, G Fleming, E Taione, R Cramb, S Clayton-Hibbott, R Parker(M Fletcher), E Parker, P Winter, K Johnson, R Taylor, S Bowen, J Murray, (M Lee) S Otuvaka. Reps: J White,M Fletcher, M Lee Scorers: Otuvaka - try, Ferguson - try, Moses conv, 2 pen
Tynedale 20 v Blaydon 6
(Sponsored by "The Northumberland County Show")
In gale force conditions Blaydon played with the elements in the first half and kicked a penalty after only one minute after Tynedale were penalised after a line out. They extended their lead after 18 minutes with a second penalty but the Tynedale defence held firm and it was Tynedale who exerted pressure close to the Blaydon line without scoring. Just as it looked as if Tynedale's pressure had come to nothing a loose ball on half way was snaffled up and Gary Fleming was released for a clear run in. Tynedale controlled most of the remainder of the half and seldom seemed in difficulty.
The second half started with Blaydon completely dominating possession and it took Tynedale 15 minutes to ease ahead when Alan Moses scored a try, after slick handling by the Tynedale backs, which Moses converted. A penalty from Moses then gave Tynedale some breathing space before replacement Scott Ferguson scored a fine try in the dying minutes when he took a pass in his own half and made a superb strong run for the line. Ironically in such conditions it was the team playing into the gale who dominated possession in both halves and play was seldom in the 22 of the team defending the gale.
TEAM: G Mason(S Ferguson), A Moses, J Fletcher, G Fleming, E Taione, R Cramb, S Clayton-Hibbott, R Parker, E Parker, P Winter (P Southern), K Johnson, R Taylor, S Bowen, J Murray, (M Lee) S Otuvaka. Reps: S Ferguson, P Southern, M Lee Scorers: Fleming - try, Moses - try, conv, pen, Ferguson-try.
Wigton 0 v Tynedale 28
Tynedale gained a convincing victory at Wigton and have now kept three clean sheets in their last four away trips - no mean feat. In heavy conditions Tyne played with the elements in the first half and took an early lead when after several scrums on the Wigton line they kept their heads and drove Wigton over the line for Simon Clayton-Hibbott to get the pushover score. A penalty from Alan Moses extended the gap but it was right on the stroke of half time that Soa Otuvaka finished off an excellent break from Jamie Murray to make it 13-0 at half time.
In the second half Wigton did go close to scoring on a couple of occasions but Tynedale's defensive discipline was superb and generally it was Tynedale who controlled the game. Moses kicked another penalty and Tynedale were awarded a penalty try when Wigton offended with Murray about to pick up and score. The final action of the match saw replacement Scott Ferguson storm through to finish off an excellent move.
TEAM: G Mason(S Ferguson), A Moses, J Fletcher, G Fleming, E Taione, R Cramb, S Clayton-Hibbott, R Parker, E Parker, P Winter, K Johnson(F Mitchell), R Taylor, S Bowen (M Lee), J Murray, S Otuvaka. Reps: S Ferguson, F Mitchell, M Lee Scorers: Clayton-Hibbott-try, Otuvaka-try, Ferguson-try, Penalty Try, Moses-conv,2 pens
Tynedale 49 v Stockton 7
(Sponsored by 'Robson Print Ltd')
Tynedale swamped lowly Stockton in a slightly disjointed performance which was highlighted by isolated flashes of brilliance. Tynedale could have been out of sight in the first ten minutes with Stockton never getting their hands on the ball other than to scramble kicks away to touch. Good team play gave Alan Moses a chance in the first minute but he somehow failed to cross the line for what looked like an easy run in. Alan then slipped as he attempted to convert a penalty and the crowd wondered if it was going to be one of those days. After 5 minutes however John Fletcher made a scintillating break before feeding the inside run from Epeli Taione who stormed over for the opening try. Two miinutes of further sustained pressure resulted in a Richard Cramb drop goal after the ball had been recycled several times. Tynedale's assault continued and two Moses penalties made it 16-0 with only 20 minutes gone. The next 30 minutes, however, became rather ragged as mistakes and ill-discipline crept in - with somehow Tynedale contriving to give away 6 penalties/free kicks on their own put-in at a dominating scrum!
A rather dour second half was, however, brightened by several excellent tries with Taione scoring the first when he stormed up the wing from the halfway line - swatting off several defenders on his way. Shortly afterwards he repeated the dose when he picked up a loose ball in his own half and left everyone for dead. Gary Fleming then supported well to finish off a strong run by replacement Scott Ferguson and Fletcher scored in the corner after good handling. Stockton did get a late consolation try when a hole somehow opened up in the Tyne defence but a late pushover try by Simon Clayton-Hibbott finished proceedings.
TEAM: G Mason(S Ferguson), A Moses, J Fletcher, G Fleming, E Taione, R Cramb, S Clayton-Hibbott, R Parker, E Parker, P Winter (P Southern) K Johnson, R Taylor, S Bowen, J Murray, S Otuvaka(A Robson). Reps: S Ferguson, P Southern, A Robson Scorers: Taione - 3 tries, Fleming-try, Fletcher-try,Clayton-Hibbott-try, Cramb-drop goal, Moses-5 conv, 2pen
Middlesbrough 11 v Tynedale 25
Tynedale started the new millennium in fine style when they continued their winning ways at Boro. Boro is always a dificult trip and Tynedale were well pleased at overcoming this hurdle. Playing with the elements Tynedale should have scored early on but two penalty kicks were missed and a couple of try scoring opportunities were squandered. It was Boro indeed who excerted some close in pressure and Tynedale had to defend strongly to survive. The pressure was eased when Alan Moses succeeded with his third penalty attempt after 20 minutes. Still Tynedale were struggling to put things together and with the clock ticking by Boro were fancying their chances. In the seven minutes before half time however Tynedale scored two cracking tries. Jamie Murray scored the first after strong back play by Epeli Taione and John Fletcher and ever present Keith Johnston supported as ever for the second after some wonderful interpassing.
With the score 15-0 at half time things looked much better and things improved when Tynedale scored two more cracking tries within six minutes of the restart. First John Fletcher finished off some tremendous handling with Epeli Taione very prominent and then Soa Otuvaka ran in after further excellent handling. With the score now at 25-0 Boro were really out of it although they did score a try and a couple of penalties to bring the score to 11-25, but with time running out Tynedale kept their discipline to absorbe anything Boro could throw at them.
TEAM: S Ferguson, E Taione, J Fletcher, G Fleming, A Moses, R Cramb, S Clayton-Hibbott, M Fletcher (R Parker), E Parker, P Winter K Johnson, R Taylor, S Bowen, J Murray, S Otuvaka. Reps: J White, R Parker, M Lee Scorers: Johnson - try, Murray - try, Otuvaka - try, J Fletcher - try, Moses - conv, pen