Saturday 21st January 2006
Tynedale Veterans travelled to historic rivals Gosforth for the first round of the Junior Challenge Trophy looking to put in a much better performance than their last one at Border Park two weeks ago where basic errors gifted Border an easy win. Skiing, flu and stiffness from the Kielder game made for several changes to the vets line-up however the side is now starting to gain some depth as interest in the part time side continues to grow.
The game kicked off in balmy conditions with Tynedale playing up the slope into the breeze and sun and the first ten minutes saw both sides keeping the ball tight with only a Tynedale penalty to separate the two sides before Simon Clayton-Hibbott, playing his more familiar position of scrum half, broke through the centre and released stand off Craig Johnson into space. Slick interplay between centres Graeme Dodd and Rod Wallace, who put in a man of the match performance, released Scott Ferguson coming into the line from full back who took his opposite man on the outside to score the first of his hatrick, converted by Clayton-Hibbott.
From the re-start Gosforth came back strongly with their backs rampaging down field. The move was halted by a powerful tackle from replacement winger John Eustace, on for the lame Phil Oakenfold, however Gosforth recycled quickly and pressed the line and following the most outrageous dummy seen in many a year scored in the corner leaving a red faced Dodds contemplating fresh air.
From this point on Tynedale started to get the upper hand led up front by the ageless Graham Yates but ably supported by the back row comprising a youthful looking Simon Guest, a mean looking Ian Charlton and a blonde looking Nigel Wright. This entire unit worked extremely well together which resulted in Guest bagging a brace and Charlton finishing of in fine style shuffling his way a full 40 yards to score the final try of the game.
Up front at the coal face the well rounded figures of Derek Dixon, Angus Whitelaw and Andy Murray, shoved on by Neil McPherson and Yates, gave a stable platform from which the backs could wreak havoc.
From a lineout winger Andy Purvis took the ball into the contact zone and swift re-cycling saw Ferguson hitting superb angles to score his second before half time.
The second period saw Gosforth chasing the game and spinning the ball wide but the door was firmly shut by Wallace who tackled anything that came within reach.
The tactical substitution of prop Murray saw former Gosforth player Richard "RP2" Parker take up the less than familiar role of tighthead however he competed well and was extremely mobile around the park. The return to Gosforth must have overwhelmed him as after the game he was heard discussing the two lumps in his throat, which was the most likely reason for his squeaky voice.
Fergusons third try came from a kick return after Dodd, who again fell for an outrageous dummy by the same player, allowed the Gosforth full back to clear. With several men to beat Ferguson pinned his ears back and ran round, through or over the opposition. Such was his determination that despite having Eustace on his shoulder he carried on to score "the jug buying try". He didn't!
The next cup match for the Veterans is February 18th away to Ponteland Vets.