Despite some dogged defence from Jarrow during the opening minutes ever reliable Jonny Griffiths was the first to cross the line, after exceptional passing in the backs. Luke Tinkler kicked the conversion.
The next try came from Captain  Liam Kelly, who powered over the line from within 5 meters. Tinkler converted. Aycliffe pack began to dominate up front, destroying another strong pack in the scrummage.
Due to a change of personal in the forwards, Aycliffe used winger Jonny Griffiths in the lineout to great effect, spoiling Jarrow’s ball in the first half. The tries now began to flow as Tinkler crossed under the posts after excellent hands by the back three. Adam Gascoigne scored the first of his three tries with his outstanding pace leaving the Jarrow defence in tatters.  Newboy JJ Rudge,  finished off one of the tries of the season. The well worked ‘double S’ move, saw the whole backline crisscrossing and switching in the midfield, before Rudge scored in the corner. Rudge’s second try came soon after when he ran untouched, due to a massive burst of pace, from the half way line to go under the posts. Tinkler kicked his fourth conversation of the first half to finish 38-0.
The second half kicked off with Aycliffe allowing Jarrovians to drive over from close range. Adam Gascoigne’s second and third try came in close proximity to each other, after good passing along the backline. Aycliffe’s brilliance in the backline was built upon the foundation created by the ferocious running of Craig Holmes and Warren Parsonage who constantly put Jarrow on the back foot. However Jarrow were not easily perturbed and it was down to the hard work of John Whitehouse and the tenacious tackling of Niall Kelly that kept Aycliffe in the driving seat.
Jarrow came back again with another try from good work by their pack, scoring again in the bottom left corner, making the score 50-10.
James Thacker, who had been selfless all game, finally got the try his hard work deserved – brushing off two defenders to go under the posts. The highlight of the day came when James Thacker made a break from within his own half, scything through the defence before getting stopped 15 meters out. It was at this time that veteran debutant Mark Silvester, who had ran himself ragged all day, popped up on James’ shoulder to charge under the posts. Gascoigne and Thacker kept the ball alive wonderfully before releasing  Griffiths who side stepped three players to score the final try.  David Judge kicked the last three conversations. Final score 71-12
Aycliffe 2nd XV
Beat Local Rivals
The continuing story of the new 2nd team saw them host local rivals Bishop Auckland’s 3rd team at Moore Lane.  Old boys Eddie Presch and Andy Holmes made their first appearance and there were fathers and sons present in Stuart and Jason McLean and Terry and Matt Parsons.
The game began badly for Aycliffe as Bishop pounced on a dropped ball in the first minute and scored a try. It was not long however, before Mikey Dunn outpaced the entire opposition back line to score a try that Jason McLean converted.  McLean added a try to his tally when he touched down in the corner from a ruck close to the line. Chris Wilson, making his first appearance of the season added two tries before the half was over.  A powerful run from 10 metres out saw Ronnie Gilyeat score a try; and a second conversion from McLean and a converted try from the visitors made the score 29 – 12 at the break.
Newcomer Connor Blakey made a great impression on the match and after creating 3 tries, he finally went over for a try of his own.  Dunn scored his second try midway through the half and Wilson completed his hat-trick as the greater pace of the Aycliffe backs was released by the good work of Dom Owens in the centre.  Captain Darryl Pettit scored a conversion.  Two further scores were forthcoming from Bishop as a couple of defensive lapses let them through, but Aycliffe were well worth their 46 – 24 winning margin at the end.
The 2nd XV are beginning to form a good unit, despite the number of players who have already played for them in two games, and look forward to getting stronger as the season continues and more players return to the squad from injury and holidays. Contact Head coach Pete Ryans  07796 172599 if you fancy playing rugby for Aycliffe .
Aycliffe rugby are sponsored by S Cars and Whitehouse Funeral Service
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