Raiders secured their place in the Northumberland County Cup Final with a hard-earned victory against a strong Alnwick team, who ensured the match remained alive right to the final whistle.

In a fine display of 'clubmanship', Jake Sloan, Martyn Hutton, and Donald Stembridge stepped up from Centurions to plug gaps in the Raiders' back line, and each one shone brightly. A strong start from Raiders put Alnwick on the back foot in the early stages and it was outside-centre Hutton who crossed smartly after five minutes to give Raiders a deserved lead, Cam Grant adding the extras.

Raiders continued to control the exchanges, resulting in two further first-half tries, both coming from the energetic Stembridge, marking his territory superbly at left wing, and establishing a well-deserved 19-0 half-time lead.

Then Alnwick 'arrived', dominating the play from the restart and announcing their presence rightfully with 7 points on the scoreboard after 50 minutes. Raiders were firmly under the cosh for the first 20 minutes of the half and needed an outlet. They found it in Grant, whose intelligent decision-making in the 10 shirt was on bright display once more, and it was he who restored Raiders' breathing space on 60 minutes with a stunning 'show & go' , to open up Alnwick's defensive line and dot down between the sticks.

Alnwick however, were far from done and continued to pummel a resolute Raiders defence, crossing the line twice more to get within one score of Raiders and set up an exhilarating final ten minutes.

Raiders held out, due in no small part to Sloan, whose masterful 80-minute defensive performance at Centre, topped off a great day for Raiders, and a great day for the club. One Tynedale

Tries:
Hutton
Stembridge (2)
Grant

Cons:
Grant (3)

Reporter: Ian Hiles