This game was turned on it's head as the visitors staged a mighty comeback and appeared to have seized the initiative until two late tries saw the Centurions home in an exciting encounter.

A routine victory seemed assured as the front five of James Brown, Robbie Binks, Ed Weir, Joe Mills and Jason Armstrong were well on top in the scrum, line-out and loose play. Their sterling efforts provided the the platform for some talented backs with three Stembridge brothers playing together for the first time.

Astute play from half-backs Andy Harvey and Allan Hyslop kept up the pressure and allowed another of set of brothers, Graeme and Martyn Hutton to demonstrate pace and strength to go close. Andy Stembridge fielded a kick at full-back and stormed forward, although tackled, he managed to regain possession and feed sibling Donald who showed his usual balanced running skills and deceptive pace to score under the posts. A Rhys Loughead pick and drive released the centre again and he glided in for his second try.

Full-back Andy Stembridge was the instigator again linking with Mills and Kael Horton to take play deep into opposition territory. Harvey switched direction and a clever Martyn Hutton kick through was gathered smartly by the powerful flanker James Crosby who crashed over for a fine try. Pressure at the scrum saw a Donald Stembridge turnover and he fed his younger brother Harry who still had work to do as he scooted home. Hyslop had converted two of these scores to leave Tynedale in a comfortable position.

Ten minutes before half-time Washington changed tactics and the course of the game. Strong driving by their heavier forwards found defensive weaknesses and they scored two tries to leave the score at the break 24-12.

This pressure continued in the second period and despite dogged defending by Josh Schollick, Hyslop and Horton they forced their way over after a penalty and then scored a long range effort down the left wing to bring the scores level, 24 - 24. There was still pressure to be absorbed but the Centurions seemed to weather the storm and Ian Charlton, Binks and Loughead went close as both sides looked for the winning score.

Another Crosby drive from his own half was continued by Rob Earnshaw and this allowed the back line to release Donald Stembridge down the left wing. He brushed defenders aside and then cruised home to complete an excellent hat-trick with only ten minutes remaining. It required a big defensive hit in the centre by Schollick to prevent a Washington break out before Martyn Hutton finished well in the right hand corner to seal a victory that had appeared unlikely at times in this game of changing fortunes.