Newcastle Falcons vs Northampton Programme

With the league season for the non-professional clubs
approaching the end of its second month, now seems a good
time to review how our local clubs have been faring.
Despite pre-season optimism regarding another top-half finish
in National League 2 North, Tynedale’s season got off to the
worst possible start with five consecutive defeats. What must
have frustrated their director of rugby Ben Woods is the fact
that all but one of those defeats was by less than a single
score. They have since rebounded with consecutive victories
over Huddersfield (33-18) and Fylde (34-28) and now sit in
tenth place.
Flying the flag for Northumberland in Regional One North East
are Alnwick, who finished a creditable third place last season.
After an opening-day victory over York (19-16) they suffered
three successive losses against Ilkley (6-27), Blaydon (24-10)
and leaders Harrogate (6-44) before righting the ship with
successive victories over Cleckheaton (23-10), Sandal (40-38)
and Doncaster Phoenix (25-16).
The county is well represented in Regional Two North with
Percy Park, Northern and Morpeth. Park hosted Northern on the
opening weekend and were impressive in a comfortable 39-12
victory, following up with wins on the road at Cockermouth
(47-10) and Upper Eden (32-3) and at home to Keswick (31-12),
Morpeth (49-16) and West Hartlepool (52-24) before losing
24-43 to Consett. Nevertheless, they do lead the table.
Despite going down at Aspatria (10-24) Northern have
remained in contention with five victories and currently lie in
third, seven points adrift.
Counties One Durham and Northumberland is the usual mixed
bag for our local clubs. Whitley Bay Rockcliff went down 54-59
on the opening weekend but followed this with victories
over Novos (47-31), South Shields Westoe (27-24) and Bishop
Auckland (29-25) to move them up the table before defeats to
Guisborough (10-24) and Sunderland (17-38) saw them slip to
eighth place.
After struggling at times last season Novocastrians made an
impressive start to the season with four wins in their opening
six games, including an opening day victory at Medicals (19-29)
in the Heaton ‘derby’. Unfortunately a five points deduction
for past disciplinary offences sees them down in ninth place.
Medicals for their part have made their traditionally slow
start as they awaited the return of their students, losing their
first three matches including that defeat to Novos. With a full
complement of players they have rallied strongly, with four
consecutive victories
Ponteland, however, are struggling in the lower reaches of the
table after their opening-day win over South Shields Westoe
was followed by six successive defeats.
Northumberland has just two representatives in Counties Two
Durham and Northumberland. Ashington lead the way in fourth
with four wins from seven. North Shields have fared less well
despite starting with two victories, since which they have lost
five on the bounce.
Counties Three Durham and Northumberland is another mixed
bag for our local teams. Pride of place undoubtedly goes to
Blyth with seven wins from seven games.
Sadly, this is only enough to see them in second place. Gosforth
sit behind them in third, but once again have flattered to
deceive, excellent victories over Yarm (49-14), Winlaton
Vulcans (46-23), Newton Aycliffe (89-7) and Jarrovians (41-26)
matched by defeats to Durham University (7-57), Blyth (31-33)
and Wallsend (17-22).
Seghill belied rumours of their potential demise as they started
with three successive wins, since when three defeats have
seen them slip to sixth. Prudhoe and Stocksfield are the only
Northumberland club who remain win-less, with their usual
problem of overlapping cricket and rugby seasons giving rise to
player shortages.
NORTHUMBERLAND RUGBY UNION
69