This was a fiercely contested local derby as the home side dominated territoriality. With the experienced Chris Freer providing a good supply from the line out and back of the scrum, fellow veteran Richard Moller was able to probe and prompt at fly half to keep the Centurions on the back foot for most of the game.

The attacking threat at half-back and centre of Andy Harvey, Henry White, Martyn Hutton and Ryan Laverty was much diminished as they were forced into a huge shift of tackling to keep a toehold in the game.

Prop Kyle Nealam opened the scoring from a driving maul following a line-out. A Tynedale penalty saw Jason Armstrong drive powerfully, Brogan Millar and Alex Birkenshaw continued the move that saw the ball switched to Dan Heppell. The tricky speedster showed the skills that might have changed the game with more clean possession as he touched down in the corner.

The Centurions were forced to attack from deep and fullback Allan Hyslop linked well with left wing Graeme Hutton on a number of occasions going close twice.

The visitors were unlucky to concede a penalty on their own scrum when it appeared the ball had been won. The ball was put in the corner and although Cameron Crawford, Robbie Binks and Kael Horton defended manfully at the lineout, winger Harry Ash supported well to touch down to leave the score 10-5 at the break.

The second half continued in a similar vein and an early attempt to run the ball from close to their own line saw a misplaced pass go to ground.

Home flanker Aaron Preston was on hand to pounce on the error and score.

However, there were still opportunities for the Centurions and good work from Shaun Taylor and Ian Charlton set Arin Pekdemir off on a long powerful run from his own half to score a fine try in the corner to narrow the deficit.

Hutton, Laverty, Armstrong and Jonny Pape all drove powerfully as Ponteland were required to show their own defensive capabilities and they were pleased to kick a penalty via latecomer Luke Karat to give an 8 point cushion.

The visitor's hopes were finally extinguished when a clearing kick was fielded and returned with interest, Pekdemir resisted the powerful charge but a weary defence could not get round to seal off the blind side. Ponteland flanker Tom Brooks-Maher capped an excellent debut by taking full advantage and touching down in the corner to give the scoreline a decisive look.

Martyn Hastie