A disciplined performance by Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club saw them gain another bonus point win on the road at Richmondshire.  Despite only having a squad of 17 players to choose from and having a disrupted pre-match, Aycliffe were able to score 4 tries in a 26 – 15 win against spirited opposition.
Aycliffe had the advantage of the slope and the wind in the first half and the backs soon took advantage when James Thacker scythed through the opposition to score under the posts; Luke Tinkler added the conversion. Aycliffe soon added further points after a good lineout, the ensuing maul saw Aycliffe close on the line before breaking off and forming a ruck, from the back scrum-half Warren Parsonage picked up and twisted over the line.
A second Tinkler conversion saw a 14 point lead.  More good work from the backs saw Tom Hogan-Wharton score his second try in two weeks, before Aycliffe took their foot off the gas rather.  A period of concerted Richmondshire pressure saw them score first a penalty and then a try.  It looked as though the lead would be too narrow with the elements against Aycliffe in the second half, but, with the last play of the half, Thacker added his second try and Tinkler the conversion for a 26 – 8 lead at the break.
Girding themselves for a battle in the second period, Aycliffe decided to keep the ball tight in the forwards and, despite being out-powered in the scrummage, it proved successful. Fine defence saw the home team only score a single converted try, whilst, when in possession, Aycliffe ran down the clock, threatening to score at the same time.  In the end it was a comfortable win at a location that has been a bogey ground in the past.  The 26 – 15 win was Aycliffe’s 9th in their last 10 league games as they remain safely in third place.
On 7th March, Aycliffe host friends and rivals Sedgefield at Moore Lane, the match will kick off at 3pm. Aycliffe Rugby are sponsored by S Cars and Whitehouse Funeral Service