The result of this entertaining local derby was in doubt until the final minute as two well-matched sides gave there all in pursuit of league points.

Strong-running centre Brogan Millar drove the ball close to the opposition line but sustained a game ending knee injury in the process. From the resulting scrum, the re-arranged midfield partnership of Henry-Wilkie Smith and Archie Robinson showed smooth handling skills allowing full-back Donald Stembridge sufficient space to crash over for an early try.

Ryton were awarded a penalty on half-way as both sides competed ferociously for the ball. This was nicely placed to the corner and their heavier forwards drove from the line-out to level the scores, 5-5.

The game now swung from end to end. James Crosby and Adam Telfer went close for Tynedale but the back row of Will Jonas, Ed Coffey and Kael Horton also needed to be conscientious in their defensive duties to deny the lively visitors.

A loose kick found Rory Craney covering intelligently and he managed to slip a neat pass to Donald Stembridge under pressure. The full back set off on jinking run before linking with Jake Sloan who needed to shake off three defenders to touch down under the posts. Stembridge added the points to give the Centurions a 12-5 lead at the break.

Ryton were quick out of the blocks in the second half and errors under pressure led to them being awarded a 5-metre scrum. Their powerful number 8 crashed over and the conversion brought the scores level. A successful penalty goal then gave them a deserved lead, 12-15.

A dangerous break by Ryton was halted by a thundering tackle from Ali Hopps on half-way. A determined Ed Weir won the loose ball and the alert scrum half Chris Kerr found the dangerous Donald Stembridge. The full-back weaved through a bemused defence to regain the lead 17-15 with only five minutes to go.

Ryton re-doubled their efforts and it required successive brave tackles from hooker Toby Jowett and fine defensive work from Adam Stembridge and Spencer Tolley who combined well to prevent a score.

In the final minute Donald Stembridge picked up the ball deep in his own half and produced another mazy effort that saw him dive over between the posts to score the best of his three tries. Kerr ran down the clock as he added the conversion allowing no time for a brave Ryton side to respond.

Tynedale RFC

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