The dangers of travelling without any replacements were clearly demonstrated when influential fly-half Josh Adams was forced from the field and missed the entire second half against determined opposition.

With several players out of position, the Centurions started slowly and had conceded three tries very early in the game as the new formation took time to settle. This could have been worse had it not been for try-saving tackles from Callum Foxcroft, Cameron Crawford, and Josh Schollick, two forwards playing in the backs and a winger in the centre.

In the midst of this one-way traffic, the visitors were kept afloat when Ian Charlton made ground after fielding a restart. He released Henry Barnes on a typical lung-bursting charge upfield. Robbie Binks was on hand to keep the ball alive and feed Jack Bullen to claim the try.

Gradually, Tynedale grew into the game, as prop forwards Joabe Biautubu and Ed Weir began to gain the upper hand at scrum time and work energetically about the field. This led to scrum-half Jake Sloan finding Adams who showed a good turn of foot to cross under the posts.

A long range try from a speedy Blyth centre restored their lead. Then, a series of quickly taken penalties saw Will Roberts break several attempted tackles in determined fashion and gallop over the line to leave the score at the break, 24 -17.

The absence of Adams and a yellow card left the Centurions weakened and struggling to cover in defence early in the second period. Blyth regained the ascendancy and were able to add three further well-constructed tries. Once again Bullen kept hopes alive with the best try of the game, rounding off a fine handling move involving Tolley, Barnes, Schollick and Roberts but this still left the home side comfortably ahead, 41 - 24, with only 10 minutes remaining.

To their great credit, an exhausted Centurions team managed to stage a grandstand finish. Andy Purves was secure under a clearing kick and allowed Barnes to storm forward once again, exchange passes with Michael Ramsay, and score a well-deserved try. Close to the end Weir and Biautubu made good ground close to the line and Bullen was on hand to complete an excellent hat-trick. Tolley, in fine kicking form, had added four conversions, but the referee blew for time before the visitors could add to their tally in a splendid encounter.

Martyn Hastie