1st XV 14 - 71 Tynedale
| Match date | Saturday February 6, 2010 |
|---|---|
| Match time | 14:00 |
| Match location | Away |
| Team | 1st XV |
| Opponent | Tynedale |
Player of the Match - Ben Gerry
Tynedale 71, Stourbridge Saxons 14 By David Lawrence – Write Angle MediaScouring the pages of the excellent Hexham Courant prior to the game, I read that Stourbridge were poor travellers having won just twice on the road this season. Having seen them concede 24 tries in their last two excursions away from Stourton Park, I feel I have to agree.
This game would have been a daunting encounter with a full quota but with key players either injured or unavailable, Director of Rugby Neil Mitchell had to draft in re-enforcements ahead of the Nothumberland trip.
These included 39-year-old Jon Taylor in the second row some three years after his last appearance for the Stour first team, and Mitchell himself on the replacements bench. And with a front row of Joe Baker, Harry Collins and Simon Homer, Mitchell had just one front five regular to pack down against their formidable Tynedale hosts – a side crammed full of hardy farming stock.
The under strength Stour scrum may have survived against lesser sides but the Northumbrians had run out convincing winners against Launceston just seven days earlier and wasted no time in flexing their muscle.
There were just 45 seconds on the clock when they crossed for their opening score and had the bonus point in the bag inside ten minutes.
Tynedale added two more before the turn and ran in another five tries in the second half, the bulk coming in the closing stages as Stour ran out of steam.
Back-to-back tries midway through the first half gave the visitors hope of securing a four-try bonus and there were some typically tireless displays, notably from Adam Billig and makeshift flanker Ben Gerry. Taylor’s performance was another positive for Mitchell who must have had his concerns ahead of the game.
The opening score came from second row Ben Marshall who collected a pass to run to the line after centre Hamish Smales had broken through the Stour defence.
Hooker Joe Graham weaved though for a second before Jamie Murray touched down following a pushover from a five-metre scrum.
Gavin Beasley’s fourth try, when he scythed through from 20 metres, wrapped up the bonus with scrum-half Harry Peck adding another solo effort on 16 minutes.
The first quarter had been a nightmare for Stour but they regrouped and hit back in impressive fashion. With 23 minutes gone, Sam Robinson chipped over the Tynedale backs and Billig nipped in to score beneath the posts.
Five minutes later and Tom Richardson intercepted a pass from the base of the home scrum and ran 25 metres to the line.
Robinson kicked the conversions and at 33-14 there was fresh hope for the visitors.
But blood replacement Andy Hall claimed another try before half-time, adding the extras himself, to hand Tynedale a 40-14 interval lead.
There had been glimpses of Stourbridge’s flowing rugby in the first half and the start of the second period saw them control the proceedings only for their decision-making to let them down on more than one occasion.
Jack Harrison added a seventh try for the home side, skipping through three tackles on his way, before the Northumbrians were reduced to 14 men when Andy Murray talked himself to a yellow card.
But they survived considerable Stourbridge pressure and finished with a four-try flourish in the final ten minutes with Jamie Murray and Harrison collecting their second tries while Smales crossed for a late brace.
With a trip to Blaydon next weekend, Mitchell will be hoping his side can discover the travel bug and hit the road running.
Tynedale: Hoyle, Cole, J Harrison, Smales, Visser, Beasley (Hall 50), Peck; Williams (Crotty 69), Graham, Brookes (A Harrison 41), Marshall (Irvin 65), Whitehead (Showler 21), A Murray, Rastall, J Murray.
Stourbridge: Williams, Tennuci, Billig (Watkins 70), Barkley, Fellows, Robinson, Richardson (Burton 70); Baker, Collins, Homer, Hughes, Taylor, Cooper (Keylock 46), Gerry, Pearson. Reps (not used): Lawrence, Mitchell.
Tynedale Star Man: Hamish Smales
