THE much-anticipated North East derby between the teams lying third and fourth in the table proved a one-sided affair, as Tynedale stormed to a convincing victory.

They ran in five tries, and for the second week running, their magnificent defence achieved a total shut out.

Darlington felt a little hard done by over a couple of decisions by referee Michael Harris, but in truth Tynedale always had the upper hand.

Playing into a stiff breeze in the first half, Tynedale went ahead on six minutes when cp-skipper Oscar Caudle powered over from a line out, and another line out move shortly before the break saw them double their advantage through Ben Haigh.

A magnificent break by Will Miller on 52 minutes seemed to have broken down but James Telford – who had a fine game - snatched up the loose ball and went over. Cam Grant’s third conversion put Tynedale 21-0 up.

Grant then landed a penalty, before pulling off a neat interception for the bonus point try on the hour which he also converted.

A 70th minute drop goal from Josh Leslie rubbed further salt into Park’s wounds, before Charlies Turnbull wrapped things up with a try following sustained pressure.

Chris Leslie's Report:-

Personal Match Report (Extended version, for Kong)
Tynedale RFC 39 – 0 Darlington Mowden Park

Playing on home pitch, apparently slightly too heavy for Teessiders, amateur side Tynedale RFC delivered a performance of real authority to overwhelm DMP 39 – nowt, reinforcing how strength in depth of the squad remains a decisive factor. A happy dressing room and a well-ran club are other contributing factors that Tynedale has in spades.

From the opening exchanges, Tynedale were composed and efficient, particularly in their exits from their own 22, where calm decision-making and accurate kicking repeatedly turned defence into attack. That platform allowed them to play almost entirely in the right areas of the field.
Defensively, Tynedale were yet again outstanding. They conceded virtually no penalties while defending with intensity, denying DMP any cheap territory or scoreboard pressure. This discipline has become Tynedale’s second-greatest asset, only just pipped by the influence and leadership of both vice-captains, who set high standards throughout the contest.

Clinical efficiency was the hallmark of the afternoon. Every visit to the DMP 22 resulted in points, a statistic that neatly summarises Tynedale’s ruthless edge. When opportunities arose, they were taken without hesitation.

The depth of the home squad was evident as the match wore on. The defensive effort was epitomised by Will Nankivell, whose impact from the bench ensured intensity never dipped and underlined the value of having players capable of maintaining – or even raising – the standard late in the game.
The contest was helped by excellent officiating. As confirmed by Mugsy, a marra from Ryton, so long as the lineout throw is straight for the first five metres, the referee’s interpretations were spot on. He allowed the game to flow, kept the whistle largely in his pocket, and was terrific throughout.

Pause for Thought
Amid all the rugby wisdom on display, there remains the lingering thought that Weardale Santa’s secret to eternity really ought to be bottled.
Scoring Summary
Half-time: Tynedale 14 – 0 Teesside
Full Time: Tynedale 39 – 0 Teesside
Conclusion
Defensive discipline, relentless efficiency in attack, and genuine squad depth combined to deliver a commanding victory that fully reflected Tynedale's eventual control of the game. Wears from Weardale passport (date of birth) needs checking, Back to the Future.
Merry Christmas

Tynedale 80 - Teesside 0 (Aggregated)
Apparently, after two rugby incidents in consecutive weeks the turnoff junction from Teesside A1(M) to A68 Corbridge, has now been closed. Hic.

NEW MATCH E-PROGRAMME

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https://www.zee-on.com/gamehubplus/tynedale-vs-darlington-mowden-park