Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club’s Durham and Northumberland Division 3 campaign faltered again as they lost a close fought game to Seaham.  Again Aycliffe were without a number of players through injury and unavailability.
Aycliffe began the game with some excellent possession play and marched their way up the field.  The reward of 3 points from a Luke Tinkler penalty goal gave them an early lead.  A number of try scoring opportunities had been missed before Warren Parsonage cut through the Seaham defence from 10 metres out, feeding the supporting Darrell McLaren who touched down for the score.  Tinkler added the conversion.
Seaham now began to pressure the Aycliffe line but a series of goal line stands kept them out.  Eventually, the visitors had to settle for a penalty goal with the last play of the half to leave the score 10-3 in Aycliffe’s favour.
Seaham again were on top as the second half began and soon scored a converted try to tie the scores.  Aycliffe were back in front again almost at once as Tinkler slotted a second penalty, and they again began to get on top.  With both teams looking powerful in attack a score looked to be coming, but unfortunately for Aycliffe it came from their mistake, as the Seaham centre collected a misdirected pass and was too fast for the covering defence.
The converted try gave Seaham a 4-point lead which was to prove crucial.  For the last 10 minutes, the Aycliffe pressure was unrelenting on the Seaham line, a number of penalties were awarded, but, with a try needed for victory, Aycliffe continued to press for the score.  A number of times the final pass just could not find the player and the full time whistle was blown with the score 17 – 13 to the visitors, Aycliffe having to be satisfied with a losing bonus point.
On the balance of play, Aycliffe should have won this game but they made more mistakes than the opposition, which proved to be the deciding factor.  On the plus side, there was some excellent defence from the home team and winger Ben Stevens and second-row Ash Elliott both put in outstanding displays of tackling. Aycliffe’s next game is on 25th October away to Prudhoe and Stocksfield; kick-off is 3pm.
Aycliffe Rugby are sponsored by Whitehouse Funeral Service and S Cars