This was always going to be a tough fixture against the league leaders and a much changed Centurions side struggled to cope with the wet conditions in the first period.

The front row of Owen Loughead, Robbie Binks and Jeff Wheallans achieved parity in the scrummage against much bigger opponents and Max Henderson was outstanding in the line out to provide a decent supply of possession. Unfortunately, defences were on top and the visitors best hopes came when fly half Tom Robson kicked deep.

From these rare visits into the Ashington 22 metre area Callum Foxcroft, Ethan McLeod, Charlie Dodd and Graeme Hutton all went close but were either held up or bundled into touch.

For the main part it was a tough defensive operation for Tynedale with Seb Jansen, Martyn Hutton, Spencer Tolley, Kael Horton and Alex Birkenshaw making outstanding try-saving tackles. Despite these valiant efforts Ashington went ahead after a quickly taken penalty was driven and held but the heavy forwards crossed after several phases.

Robson was very unlucky when a kick from halfway just went dead. For some reason the scrum was set on the 22 metre line and this attacking position saw the ball poked through behind the line. Fullback Tolley, racing back to touch down, was unlucky to see the ball bounce off his knee and rebound to the home winger who gratefully touched down.

An attempted move in the Ashington half saw the slippy ball spilled, hacked through and their very quick winger followed up to score a third try.

Despite these set backs, scrum half James Ferguson set off on a jinking break for an amazing solo try that Robson converted for a halftime score of 19-7.

An early interception on halfway saw Tom Robson race away to touch down, add the points and bring renewed hope to the visitors. Jonny Pape and Ian Charlton were held up close but the second half was mainly another holding effort as the home team brought on a couple of excellent replacements including a flying left winger who scored two magnificent long range tries to restore control.

Josh Schollick and Shaun Taylor both made decent breaks but couldn't unlock a very tough defence. Even the introduction of rugby debutant Archie Robinson, who slotted well into the second row after a very brief coaching session "on the job", could not turn the tide as the game ended with series of scrums with both sides finishing pretty well exhausted in a really tough game.

Martyn Hastie