Newton Aycliffe RUFC visited the Headland in Hartlepool to play Boys Brigade Old Boys at their Friarage Ground.  Aycliffe fielded a new front row, with Liam Kelly and Mark Affleck unavailable. Jeff Hodgson and Jamie Whelan both made their first starts of the season. Ryan Milford started at loose-head.
Aycliffe made a fast start, with the backline playing their usual brand of exciting rugby. James Thacker went under the posts within the first 2 minutes, slicing through the defence after some quick thinking from veteran club captain Warren Parsonage who took a quick tap penalty, putting the Hartlepool defence on the back foot. There was more decisive play to come, with all the backs sharing in a magnificent try for Luke Crossen, after he took a fantastic inside pass from stand-off James Cocks. The dominance of the backs was so evident the Hartlepool defence was left in tatters. From a solid set piece by the Aycliffe pack came a bullet pass from Warren Parsonage to Cocks. Hartlepool’s defence, under the cosh for so long did not know how to react as they parted for Cocks to slip into the gap, before he sensationally stepped the fullback to score. Half time score 21-0 after Cocks kicked all three conversions.
The backline started where they left off with the ball moving quickly along the line to the openside wing. Crossen raced from his blindside wing to loop round and receive a lovely pass from Jonny Griffiths to score in the corner.
For 20 minutes BBOB pressurised Aycliffe. Paul O’Donnell, Niall Kelly, Neil Morgan and Andrew Littlefair tackled like men possessed, thwarting wave after wave off Hartlepool’s marauding forwards, who used the rolling maul to great effect.
With Aycliffe’s scrummage under pressure from a well drilled BBOB pack, Bob Malvern came on and settled the ship. However, it was the sublime hooking skills of Jamie Whelan that moved the ball quickly away from the danger area, blunting BBOB’s attacking edge at the set piece. BBOB’s purple patch wore down and the Aycliffe defence enabled them to score two drive over tries, which were well deserved, making the score 28- 10
Ben Walton making his debut for the club and Dan Montgomery entered the fray. Walton made an immediate impact making a 50 metre charge from a pick and run from Andrew Littlefair who offloaded the ball as he got tackled. Walton almost made it all the way, however he was caught two metres from the line. Littlefair supported him and received a pass to fall over the line unopposed. James Cocks kicked 5 out of his 6 conversions. NARUFC 40 – 10 BBOB. Aycliffe Rugby sponsored by S Cars and The Mortgage Advice Centre. Aycliffe 1st hope to continue their unbeaten run away to West Hartlepool TDSOB this Saturday ko 3pm.