Tynedale Veterans reported for duty once again at the Northumberland Junior Shield cup final. For a pleasant change the venue was not at Ashington but there was still a coastal flavour with the game hosted at Whitley Bay Rockcliff. Equipped with TomToms & AtoZs 23 willing souls found their way to the ground to witness for the second game running the opponents already warming up an hour before kick-off. This was largely due to the fact that Percy Park Marauders only had 2 miles to navigate from their North Shields base. With a number of key players "missing in action" from the semi-final (Turnbull, Fletcher, Mitchell, Parker) there were several enforced changes but all the newcomers were experienced campaigners and fully deserving of their Veterans shirt.
The game kicked off with skipper Craig Johnston having chosen to play into the strong wind in order to gain the psychological advantage. This tactic worked a treat and after 25 minutes the Veterans trailed by 9 points to nil. To be fair Park had enlisted the services of a kicking fly-half who would not have looked out of place deputising for Jonny. But on 30 minutes with the Tyne front 8 gaining the upper hand, from a scrum on the Park 22 Ian Donkin produced a darting run to get beyond the Park back-row, off-loaded to Tim Ellis who linked with Ian Charlton & finally Dan Gray who waltzed in under the posts for a sublime score. Gray converted and the men in blue & white were back in the game. Park converted another penalty to stretch their lead to 5 points but with 2 minutes to half time a flowing phase of play resulted in Scott Ferguson thundering over the line to bring the scores level at 12-12. The conversion was unsuccessful so the half ended all square.
With the wind at their backs the Veterans looked to build on their first half try-fest but yet again gave Park's young Jonny a shot at the posts which he duly slotted. Things got worse when after a period of sustained pressure Park touched down in the corner to build a 22-12 lead after 50 minutes. At this point the speed & intensity of the game began to take its toll & Colin MacDonald departed the fray to be replaced by Ralph Charlton. Captain Craig Johnston also took a knock (2 broken ribs) but gallantly played on as by now the forward dominance of the Tyne 8 was really starting to tell. A penalty by Gray took it to 15-22 & then on the 60 minute mark a break & chip by Scott Ferguson led to a penalty which was taken as a scrum. The Tyne 8 shunted the Park lads over their line & that man Donkin was there again to dot down for the Vets 3rd try of the game. The try was converted by Gray to tie the game at 22-22 with 10 minutes remaining. Charlie Burns replaced Steve Beadle on the wing but some ill discipline gave Park's exocet kicker another opportunity which he duly took to edge 25-22 ahead. With full time rapidly approaching the Vets threw everything they could & more to reach the Park try line only to be held up over the line & hear the whistle blow. A case of could have, would have, should have but disappointingly for all involved (including Andrew Foster) it was yet another runners up medal to show for a massive team performance against a well drilled younger side. But there's always next year…..