Tynedale Patterson Ford U12's competed in their last Northern Festival knowing that their record this season had not been good. However, all their hard work and extra training sessions paid off with the team reaching the semi finals - only to be denied a place in the final following a draw with Alnwick.
Group A consisted of Tynedale, Northern, and Guisborough who were Tynedale's first opponents. Group two comprised Alnwick, Gosforth and Darlington with each match comprising 7 minutes play each way.
From the outset the boys put pressure on Guisborough which culminated in a line out. An accurate throw from James Mullins allowed the forwards to form a maul resulting in James Raine crashing over the line for the first try with Alex Deif converting. Kicking played an important part in this match which was a new tactic for the boys in blue and it led directly to their second try. A kick and chase led to a Guisborough knock-on and from the resulting scrum the dominant pack won a good ball which Tim Lewis picked up and darted over the line to score with Deif converting. The final score 14-0 to the Patterson Ford boys.
The second game against old adversaries Northern saw Tynedale putting immense pressure on their opponents however, a minor lapse in concentration allowed the opposition to find gaps with wide balls and put down two tries in the first half. The second half Northern scored again but Tynedale never let up and good play from a scrum led to Raine scoring his second try of the tournament. The final score was 21-5 to Northern which meant that Tynedale was second in the group to face Alnwick (winners of Group B) in the semi finals.
Tynedale had played Alnwick many times in the past and the scores have gone either way. The tension on and off the pitch was immense on both sides, with parent supporters holding their breath and cheering the boys at the same time.
Play was fast and furious with both sides giving 110% effort - Alnwick scored in the first half with a break-away try by their centre. In the second half the Tynedale Patterson Ford boys changed tactics and instead of running the ball wide, they rucked and mauled through the Alnwick pack relying on their superior strength. The equalising try was scored by Sean Cowans.
Despite constant pressure, Tynedale could not add to their tally and the game finished 7 points a piece. The rules of the tournament state that in the case of a draw scenario, the team who score first is deemed to be the winner - therefore Alnwick went through to the final. The second semi final was also drawn between Gosforth and Northern. Gosforth the eventual winners of the tournament went through.
The Tynedale Paterson Ford U12 squad comprised: Kyle Bentley, Adam Binks, Charlton Burdon, Sean Cowans, Alex Deif, Campbell Donaldson, Jamie Gibbin, Frederick Harms, Rob Howeson, Thomas Hudson, Max Johnson, Tim Lewis, Michael McHugh, James Mullins, Alex Peart, James Raine, and Sam White.