Yarm 0, Newton Aycliffe 38
Newton Aycliffe bounced back from their first defeat of the season at South Shields to win comfortably in Yarm.
On first view the playing condition looked perfect, sunny blue cloudless skies, no wind and a reasonably flat if not very small pitch. On closer inspection the pitch although green was a quagmire underfoot.
Players, coaches and supporters were keen to put the Shields defeat behind them and get back to winning ways.
From the kick off the Aycliffe players ripped into the Yarm team and drove them back deep into their own half.
Aycliffe’s tactics to pick and drive into the heart of the Yarm defence began to pay dividends.
With Yarm struggling to contain a strong and aggressive tight eight led by captain Andrew Littlefair Aycliffe’s forwards produced quality ball for their backs to run.
Fast passing saw the majority of the backs involved in a beautiful try in the corner Adam Gascoigne out pacing Yarm’s defence to cross the line untouched. 5 – 0 up after ten minutes.
The spectator on the sideline now expected the flood gates to open and tries to pour in but they were in for a shock.
Aycliffe began to kick possession away, Yarm decided to keep the ball tight in the forwards and an arm wrestling match proceeded for the next twenty minutes. The underfoot conditions appeared to sap the strength out of the players legs but to be fair Aycliffe’s players especially the forwards fought for every inch of mud.
When Yarm looked dangerous superb tackling from the forwards knocked them back time and time again.
With less than 15 minutes left in the half James Thacker was very unlucky to be sin binned for what was deemed by the referee as a spike tackle.
This ten minute period proved to be very decisive to the outcome of the game Yarm with superior numbers thought they could dominate the game.
The Aycliffe team had other ideas as a collective the 14 battered Yarm into submission every time the home team had the ball the firsts drove them back creating mistake after mistake.
By the time Thacker came back on to the field with a few minutes left of the first half Aycliffe had a line out on the twenty-five mitres from their own line.
The throw in was beautifully caught by Neil Morgan and his team drove him up the field the next passage of play was a delight to watch after several probing forward drives scrum half Warren parsonage darted past the Yarm defensive line and the quick quality ball that ensured so fantastic handling skills in the backs which allowed James Thacker to redeem himself and score close to the posts. Adam Gascoigne taking over the kicking duties duly slotted home.
Half Time 12 – 0
The second half saw Yarm through every thing they had at NARUFC for the first few minutes. A tactical change made by the coaching staff saw Luke Tinkler replace Warren Parsonage (whose legs were lost somewhere in the deep mud) Chris Richards moved to scrum half and Tinks slotted in at his favoured 12 position. It wasn’t long before Luke Tinkler made his presence felt.
After more great ball won by the forwards Gareth parsonage open the gate for Tinks to dance through the bemused Yarm backs to glide over between the posts Gascoigne kicked the extra points (19-0) this try allowed the coaches to give the full squad of player a chance to play Mark Wilson replaced Jonny Griffiths (a race horse that prefers harder going) Jeff Hodgson, Bob Malvern and Adam Batley benefited from rotating the front row as did Mark Affleck who played his last game of the season.
Affer is going under the surgeon’s knife later this week and the Aycliffe family wish him a speedy recovery from his latest shoulder operation.
Ex Mowden Park Veteran Ian Dunnabie made his second appearance for the club, he was a great help to the players around him for the short time he was on.
Tries began to flow and the quality rugby continued Thacker scored his second Gascoigne scored his second and Tinks finished the game off with his brace. Adam Gascoigne kicked four conversions in total.
Final Score 38-0
Their were some really good performances produced during the game, the back row of Drew Gibson, Matty Wiper and Shaun Tomlinson were outstanding in defence. Niall Kelly and Neil Morgan were again solid in the second row producing a great platform for others to work off. Despite the awful underfoot conditions the backs collectively played really well despite it not being a day for free flowing rugby six tries were scored all by the backs.
This week’s fixture is a home game against Prudoe and Stocksfield.
15 Adam Gascoigne (2 tries four conversions)
14 Luke Crossen
13 James Thacker (2 tries)
12 Chris Richards
11 Jonny Griffiths
10 Gas Parsonage
9 Warren Parsonage
8 Shaun Tomlinson
7 Matty Wiper
6 Drew Gibson
5 Niall Kelly
4 Neil Morgan
3 Mark Affleck
2 Andrew Littlefair
1 Adam Batley
16 Luke Tinkler (2 tries)
17 Bob Malvern
18 Jeff Hodgson
19 Mark Wilson
20 Ian Dunnabie
