This was a bruising encounter against a much bigger Houghton outfit and required every player to give their all as the game was in the balance throughout.

The Centurions had a slight attacking edge in the first half. The front row of James Doody, Robbie Binks and James Brown more than held their own against heavier opponents and Cameron Crawford with Ian Charlton provided a steady supply of decent line out ball. A new half-back pairing of Gareth Little and Allan Hyslop managed to distribute well under pressure allowing winger Graeme Hutton a long run to be held just short.

The back row of Hugh Holland-Creaven, Michael Ramsay and debutant Henry Barnes all tried to force their way over from close to the line. Scrum half Little switched play and the ball rippled along the back division with Josh Schollick finishing off in the lefthand corner.

Near to the break, Schollick raced back to overhaul several opponents and prevent a score. The resulting long drop-out was kicked back and another debutant at full-back, Josh Adams, rose beautifully under pressure and raced away from 75 metres to score a fine individual try.

With the half-time score at 0 - 10, the game was up for grabs in the second period. A couple of serious injuries saw Graeme Hutton and Little have to leave the field. An injured Jeff Wheallans, who had only turned up to watch, was persuaded get changed and he contributed with tackles and sound defensive play despite being restricted by a calf strain.

By contrast, the home side had a large bench of replacements and their fresh legs saw the game swing in their favour. They brought the scores level with tries following a Tynedale line out mistake and then by using their extra man wide down the left wing. The game could easily have been lost at this stage if the Centurions had not put in a huge shift of tackling, particularly in midfield by Martyn Hutton and Ali Hopps and around the fringes by the whole pack.

Houghton had a shot at goal with a penalty but it was Tynedale who might have snatched victory near the end. Hyslop dived on a loose ball close to the deadball line but was adjudged not to have got any downward pressure, a marginal call. The same player then had a long range attempt at a penalty that shaved the upright.

It is doubtful that the Centurions will play in any harder, more physical games in the season, and great credit is due to the depleted team that travelled and gave their all in an exciting game, particularly the new faces in the side.