Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club began their Durham and Northumberland Division 3 campaign at home to one of the favourites for promotion; South Tyneside College. Aycliffe were able to field their strongest back line, although a number of first choice forwards were missing.  Despite struggling in the scrums, Aycliffe’s forwards ensured that they gained the lion’s share of the ruck and maul ball.  Chris Richards, captain for the day, marshalled the backs well and their outstanding pace began to cause the visitors no end of problems.  With the game barely 10 minutes old, James Thacker burst through in midfield, when the defence finally managed to close him down; he passed the ball to Adam Gascoigne to score the opening try.  Luke Tinkler added the conversion.  A Tinkler penalty soon extended the lead to 10 points.  It looked like Aycliffe would increase their lead soon after, when Gascoigne was again put free, but he was unable to beat the covering tackler.  Another try was added when David Judge kicked the ball deep into College territory, the defence were unable to tidy up and Thacker outpaced them to score.  At half time the score was 15 – 0.
Throughout the match, Aycliffe’s outstanding back row of Drew Gibson, Andrew Littlefair and man-of-the-match, Colin Wooster, ensured that South Tyneside were unable to make use of the scrum ball they won and Richards was giving his opposite number a torrid time.  Aycliffe had two more attempts at penalty goals from Tinkler but both were just wide.  Eventually, all the pressure told and Thacker again broke free and fed Gascoigne, just short of the line the defence appeared to be about to force him into touch, but a lovely inside ball saw Tinkler in support to add a further 5 points.  The bonus point try was added when a quick thinking Tinkler kicked a penalty high behind the defence, Thacker was first to arrive and caught the ball on the full to score.  The final score came when Richards kicked through and again Thacker was there first, the supporting Gascoigne touching down in the corner to complete a 30 – 0 victory.
All on the sidelines agreed that this was one of the finest Aycliffe performances in years and, but for some poor handling in the backs, the score could have been much greater.  More hard games are to come, but the players have put down a marker for the season ahead and the battle for places in the team looks to be extremely tight.  Aycliffe continue their league season with a game away to Washington at 3pm on 21st September. Newton Aycliffe are sponsored by Boola Clothing Aycliffe and Hayward Home Appliance Services trading as Serviceforce..  Visit the website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/newtonaycliffe.
Wooster first to the breakdown