A glorious late summer afternoon on a pristine playing surface saw two well matched teams serve up a feast of running rugby with a sprinkling of mistakes that was only to be expected in the first league game of a new season.

The home side won by five tries to four but the precise kicking of Rory Dixon, he landed four conversions from all parts of the pitch, gave the illusion of a comfortable victory when in fact a useful Houghton team were always threatening.

Tynedale scored first when Martyn Hutton and Steven Raine combined and ran powerfully to within 20 metres. Callum Foxcroft and Alex Birkenshaw were on hand to secure possession allowing Dixon to break blind, feed Sam Harrison and the scrum-half darted over. The Boars responded with a try of their own when indiscipline saw a penalty reversed. They hammered at the line and, despite some exceptional tackling from Brogan Millar, Ian Charlton and Jason Armstrong, they forced their way over.

The Centurions then had a brief period of superiority. Forwards Kael Horton, Ed Weir and David Hewison linked well in a drive continued by Dixon and Hutton who gave centre Ryan Laverty the chance to power over from 20 metres. Spencer Tolley and Jonny Pape stretched their legs to go close before the fleet-footed Harrison grabbed his second try following a scrum. Dixon had his only missed conversion in front of the posts when the ball fell off the tee as he attempted his kick.

To their credit, the wounded Boars regrouped and were rewarded with another penalty reversal and a drive over to leave the score at the break, 19-10.

From the kick-off Matthew Winter caught well and broke forward. Weir was quick to pick, drive and link with his back line. They released the ever-alert Dixon to break and find a joyful Harrison who glided in for a well-deserved hat-trick. The visitors responded again with a try of their own following a scrum.

The game see-sawed with both teams having chances to claim the honours. Andy Harvey and Robbie Binks were held just short whilst Ethan McLeod and Josh Scollick were required to defend bravely. Former Tynedale stalwart Paul Winter made a cameo appearance before his son, Matthew, was alert enough to take a quick tap penalty and dive over to almost clinch the game with time running out.

Houghton hit back with a nice running try of their own but the ball was booted of the pitch to stop them adding to their tally.

A good start to the season with special mention of debutants Graeme Hutton, Tom Greer and Arin Pekdemir who played well and showed great promise for their future in the team.