Sunday 27th April 2008
Tynedale Colts 20 v Percy Park Colts 8 (Half Time 3-8)
Tynedale retained the Northumberland County Colts Cup on Sunday at North Shields in a well contested match against favourites Percy Park.
Tyne kicked off with the wind at their backs and enjoyed the better of the early exchanges. The pack had some form of ascendancy, but Percy Park turned the ball over consistently at the breakdown to prevent any real scoring threat. Ali Brooks' exciting run down the left flank was the closest Tyne came, and Park stole a lead against the run of play mid way through the half.
From a midfield scrum, centre Smith side stepped his way through for the opening try. Tyne came straight back and a series of penalties put pressure on the Park line, with Matthew Green coming closest with a short range burst, but the only reward was an Outson penalty.
The restart kick off was spilled, and Smith restored Park's five point lead with a well struck 35 metre penalty. The Tynemouth team turned round well pleased with an 8-3 advantage.
The second half continued the pattern of the first, with the team playing into the wind showing the greater resolve, and Tynedale went about their business with some gusto. Skipper Joe Mills and flanker Ben Frankland carried robustly, and good line out take and drives worked effectively.
Prop "Wing" Scandle also started to use his bulk to good effect in the loose with a couple of decent rumbles.
10 minutes into the half stand off Matthew Outson found himself at the base of a ruck on the opposition 22. His innate scrum half instinct took over and he dummied his way down the middle, and beat the full back for a cracking try, which he converted himself. Five minutes later he added a penalty, and the balance of the game had swung Tynedale's way with a 13-8 lead.
Percy Park inevitably responded, and Tyne had to weather some pressure, but to their credit their discipline held, and they avoided conceding any kickable penalties, whilst snuffing out any threat with strong tackling particularly from the back row, Tom Robb and the pugnacious McKenna.
Territorial advantage was restored despite the wind, and good multi phase possession created some space down the left flank for Tynedale. The inevitable support came from Frankland, who crashed through the last two despairing tackles to touch down for the clincher. Outson completed a sound day's work by stroking over the conversion from a difficult angle.
Tyne played out the final few minutes without alarm, to claim a fine 20 -8 victory, with the whole squad a well drilled credit to coach Steve Dunn and his assistants.
TYNEDALE TEAM: Jamie Dickson; Adam Telfer, Tom Robb, Ali Brooks, Dan Leadbitter; Matthew Outson, Cameron McKenna; Will Shepherd, Matthew Green, Phil Scandle; Kit Sorenson, Alex Fodrie; Ben Frankland, Joe Mills (C), Callum Gaffney. SUBS: John Wiltshier, Dan Lansley, Charlie Maddison, Richard Dunn, Johnny Cousin, Finlay Magowan.
