U16s - A Point to Prove Against Ponteland

For the second week in succession the boys of the U16s walked out on to the hallowed turf of the Stadio Olimpico del Darlo to be greeted by the ovation of the faithful, the massed ranks of the U18s who were up next and also the sun!. The opposition were due to be Blaydon but in a relatively late change the protagonists at the far end of the ground were now Ponteland. As has been the case on a few occasions in the past a number of our boys were called on to make up the numbers of the visitors, so in no particular order the list appearing in cranberry this morning, Marcus, Dan Wi, Myles, Harry, Owen and finally the longest stint was down to Tom H...well done boys (a number of you appeared to relish the opportunity of locking horns with your team-mates!!).

In what may have been one of the most evenly contested games of recent times, both teams were certainly drawing on the last day of the six nations and serving up another great game of Rugby. From back to front no quarter was asked or given and it wasn't until twenty minutes of enthralling play had passed till the first score was registered, and it wasn't lost on the spectators that the three boys who normally wear blue and white hoops were certainly playing a leading roll, as unfortunately for home spectators it was a cranberry clad Ponteland player who crossed the whitewash. At oranges it remained 0-5.

Changes were rung in the second half, between the teams and also within the home team, but the balance of the game was not effected and the end to end play was to continue and the second half was only two minutes old when the ball was shipped across the backs line for Josh M to go over for the five points. Reminiscent of the final game of 'Super Saturday' the tension remained right until the final whistle and with only a few minutes remaining the visitors converted a penalty to take the plaudits. In fairness both teams could have run out winners, with held up near tries at both ends and last ditch tackling with sets of boys should be proud of the efforts.

MotM - All of the DMP boys who pulled on cranberry
Penny - Tom H...harsh, ingenuity should be celebrated!