This game was much closer then the final result suggests as the Centurions were made to work hard to avenge their early season defeat on Wearside.

They had the best possible start when a free-flowing back movement involving Martyn Hutton, Seb Jansen, Allan Hyslop and Josh Scollick allowed young back row Alex Anson to race over in the corner. The Keelmen responded immediately, taking the lead with a converted try from a close range scrummage.

Influential scrum half Andy Harvey maintained a high tempo throughout the game. His quick tapped penalty saw Jason Armstrong and Jansen go close before hooker Robbie Binks appeared in support to force his way over. Armstrong was involved again driving from the back of a scrum allowing Harvey to switch play to the narrow side. Spencer Tolley ran well, drew defenders and slipped the ball to Graeme Hutton who glided in on the left wing.

Number 8 Armstrong tidied up a messy scrum deep in his own half and, with help from Rory Craney, Dave Hewison and Callum Foxcroft, the Centurions broke downfield and the lively Binks sprinted over from halfway. Hyslop added the conversion to leave the score at half-time, 22-7, and the game still in the balance.

A home game, students back on vacation, and a first rugby match in four weeks saw the home side have a large bench to call on in the second half. These fresh legs eventually overwhelmed the visitors as they tired towards the end of the game having giving their all.

A cameo performance by Henry White saw him release Ian Charlton before an astute Rhys Loughead cut back and raced over untouched from 20 metres.

Charlie Dodd and Ryan Laverty made good progress to set up an attacking scrum and Loughead burst clear, proving unstoppable diving low across the line.

An excellent break from Jake Sloan was held just short. Loughead and Binks drove on but both were denied their hat-tricks by stout defence. The all-action Kael Horton however was on hand to crash over. A new front row combination of Michael Ramsay and Mike Smith worked well in the loose to create a chance that Oliver Hillary finished in style.

The bench boost was now sapping the defensive resolve of the visitors and superb driving runs by Brogan Millar led to two scores by Steven Raine that were disallowed.

Eventually Armstrong got the try he deserved finishing a fine move. Sloan and Andrew Murray showed some sleight of hand in open play with the latter touching down before Hillary ran in from his own half from the resulting kick off with the last play of the game. Hyslop added 3 conversions, Murray, Smith and Millar one each in the second half as the Centurions ran out comfortable winners.

Tynedale RFC

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