Spirited Aycliffe Performance

Newton Aycliffe 10 Guisborough 55

Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club’s last home league match of the season saw them host runaway leaders Guisborough at Moore Lane. The warmest day of the year saw a pitch suited to running rugby.

The game began with Aycliffe fronting up well to their larger and better drilled opponents but Guisborough soon scored two tries to take an early 10 – 0 lead. Aycliffe fought back and, after a break by Andy Newman, Warren Parsonage’s forceful running saw him shred the visiting defence allowing him to put Chris Wilson over in the corner. There then followed an unsavoury incident which resulted in a red card for Guisborough and a yellow for Aycliffe. Whilst both teams were short-handed, Guisborough responded better and scored two more tries. Aycliffe continued to tackle well in the centre of the pitch, but Guisborough were excellent at mauling and producing overlaps, from where they added a fifth try before the break. The score at half time was 31 – 5.

In the second half, Guisborough continued to attack and scored further tries. A moment of quick-thinking by Aycliffe captain Gareth Parsonage at a tap penalty saw him give a long pass to Wilson who was able to cross the line unopposed in the corner. This was only the second time this season that Guisborough have conceded 10 points. A final try for the visitors saw them complete a convincing but hard-fought 55- 10 victory.

After a series of below par performances this was a good showing by Aycliffe against superior opposition. On 17th April Aycliffe complete their league programme with a visit to Washington, kick-off is at 3pm. Aycliffe’s sponsors are Fabtech Engineering and Workshop Supplies. More information is available at www.ayclifferugby.co.uk.

© Stuart McIvor 14 April 2010