Saturday’s league fixture saw Newton Aycliffe RUFC play at home to Seghill who were sitting three places above them in fourth place in Durham and Northumberland Division 3. The pitch at Moore Lane was looking superb the playing conditions were next to perfect. In fact it was all set up for a fantastic day of rugby. Head Coach Peter Ryans has been trying all season to get the players to play to their full potential, to start the game strongly and stick to the game plan and for once it worked.
Aycliffe took the upper hand and for the first 10 minutes they were encamped in Seghill’s 22.   Aycliffe seemed certain to score but allowed Seghill to fly hack the ball through their defence where their winger managed to be first to the touchdown. Seghill’s kicker slotted home a monstrous kick from out wide for them to take a 7 – 0 lead. Deryk Cairns, a late arrival, came straight on for Danny Prince who up until this stage had propped really well. Drew Gibson went into the front row, with Andy Littlefair and tighthead prop Chris Carlon who was making his first team league debut as a prop. From the resulting kick off, winger Jonny Griffith and several of the quicker forwards put the Seghill receiver under immense pressure; they turned the ball over and, after several powerful pick and drives, Cairns burst through and scored a fantastic try with only his second touch of the ball. Luke Tinkler kicked a fantastic conversion from the touch line levelling the scores at 7-7.
The rest of the half saw Aycliffe dominate every aspect of the game. Seghill began to concede a number of penalties, but Aycliffe were unable to add to the score. Neil Morgan won a great deal of ball at the front of the lineout – a constant source of quality ball which was used really well by the backs. Seghill’s light weight scrum-half had an excellent game and was a constant threat to the home side. At half time the score remained 7-7
The second half was more of the same; Aycliffe’s forwards pick and drives were almost unstoppable; time after time they drove forward draining Seghill’s resolve the more the half went on.  Aycliffe took the lead through a 40-metre penalty kick from Tinkler. There was no way back for the visitors more and more pressure was exerted and another visitor was yellow carded. Aycliffe continued to dominate fantastic runs and Dan Montgomery put in some fine runs in the centre. Luke Crossen, playing fullback, had his best game of the season. Seghill’s strong defence final crumbled more pick and drives from the forwards saw birthday boy and skipper Warren Parsonage cross the line to give Aycliffe an 8 point cushion. As the light faded, Aycliffe continued to pile on the pressure but they could not add to the score. Final result 15 – 7.
This was a great result for Aycliffe, as, for the first time this season, they controlled the game and pressurised the strong opposition out of the game. Drew Gibson’s performance was worthy of special mention having to play the majority of the game out of position. Gareth Parsonage, another birthday boy was also mentioned after the game for the quality of his strategic kicking.
Aycliffe’s next match is away to Washington on 6th Dec ko 2.15pm.
Aycliffe rugby are sponsored by S CARS and WHITEHOUSE FUNERAL SERVICE.