This welcome return to rugby after lockdown provided a feast of free-flowing rugby, enjoyed by the players, spectators and referee alike.

An early attack by West End was bravely stopped by debutant Lewis Duffy who suffered a bang to the head for his efforts and had to leave the field under the concussion protocols. But after this initial foray Tynedale began to exert pressure through the forwards with Ed Weir, Adam Telfer, and George Gerring, all carrying well and making big gains. This pressure led to a scrum and Andy Harvey danced passed all defenders to score.

Good foraging and driving by Harry Renwick and Rhys Loughead saw nice rucked ball moved to Danny Fitzgerald who took off, cleverly off-loaded to Ryan Laverty, who ran strongly through defenders to touch down.

Good work from Harvey saw Jonny Gormley drive close and the ball was secured by Adam Binks to add another try.

These scores stung West End into action and they finished the half well on top. Their strong forwards were well organised in scrum, maul and line-out and they crossed from close range three times despite brave defence from Ethan McLeod, Joe Matthews and Chris Kerr. These efforts saw the visitors deservedly ahead, 17-19 at the break.

Luckily, Tynedale had first team squad members, Jacob Brown and Will Richards available to come on in the second half along with promising ex-colts Sam Richardson, Robbie Binks, Kael Horton and Andy Stembridge. The addition of these rested players, who all contributed well, saw the Centurions gradually gain ascendancy and finish well as West End understandably tired.

Oliver Hillary scored a fine solo try following a line out, jinking around, handing off and running through all defenders before touching down under the posts. Not to be out done, the young flier Andy Stembridge gathered a kick in his own half and ran around the cover defence to score untouched. Dan Heppell almost repeated that feat with another long-distance sprint but was just caught in the corner.

Two late tries saw the score slightly flatter the home side. Will Richards dived over from a ruck under the posts set up by the strong running Jason Armstrong, James Grant and Lewis Spark. Finally good work by Jake Sloan and Darwin Currie saw Adam Binks pick up and score from the 22-metre line.

Danny Fitzgerald managed four conversions to make the final score 43-19. Special mention must go to grizzled veterans Ian Charlton and Andy Purvis, the former pulling off a try saving tackle and the latter fielding a dangerous kick, making ground before returning it with interest!