A much changed Hadrians team started strongly against a useful Berwick side. Good handling by Seb Jansen and James Towart-Adams saw right wing Alan Pearson receive the ball tight to his touch line. He cleverly kicked over the try line and, although he won the follow up race, he was was deemed not to have applied downward pressure as he dived into the corner.

Joe Mills and Harry Askwith carried well from halfway and front rowers Robbie Binks and Ben Potts arrived to secure possession. From this attacking position, powerful number 8 Alfie Scott carried all before him to touch down under the posts, allowing Allan Hyslop to slot the conversion.

The Bears began to organise and, helped by a series of penalties, were able to gain territorial advantage. It required some excellent tackling from Alex Walby, Dominic Walters, and Harry Wilson to keep them at bay. This pressure eventually told when a quickly taken penalty saw their right winger scoot home. Another penalty, popped into touch close to the line, saw the visitor's powerful forwards catch and drive over to leave the score at half-time, 7-12.

The second period saw Berwick continue to press and they were rewarded with three further tries that appeared to seal the win.

To their great credit, the young Hadrians side responded well. Some astute kicking by Nelson da Silva gained good field position and the lively fly-half was always dangerous with ball in hand. Joabe Biautubu ripped the ball clear in his own half and showed his hitch-kicking skills to make ground. Henry Barnes continued the move and was stopped near the 22metre line. The quick hands of da Silva found livewire Kael Horton who managed to force his way over and Hyslop added the points.

They were right back into the game when a clever change of direction by Will Charlton confused defenders. Will Roberts was on hand to finish well from 20 metres. Back in the game at 19-31, Tynedale pressed hard to try and get back to within a score, and with it, the chance of an unlikely victory. However, it was Berwick who had the last word. Their clever fly-half picked up a loose ball and ran the length of the pitch to secure the win in a game that was perhaps closer than the scoreline suggests.

Martyn Hastie