Narrow Victory

On Friday evening Northallerton hosted Newton Aycliffe in the friendly return fixture from 2 weeks ago.
This time the encounter was a much closer affair with Northallerton just running out 12-7 victors.
Aycliffe sent a much stronger squad than they had available for the home game and were bolstered by some returning forwards, even though they rested Stu McLean there best player in the last 20 years.

Northallerton gave a first ever outing to Phil Swall, son of ex player Dave Swall, who looks a future front row star. North also welcomed the return of brothers Charlie and Tom Youngs who will hopefully both be available for the forthcoming season. Phil the Fireman also looked a good future prospect.
The game itself was dominated more by the defence than the attacking flare. It was agreed to play the game in 3 thirty minute periods to enable both squads to be rotated effectively.
North scored first through winger Steven Lister in the corner though the conversion fell well short.
Aycliffe came straight back at North and pressured the home team constantly. Only some excellent last ditch tackling from Norths forwards, especially Rob Green and Danny Grainger kept the away team out. Even when North were reduced to 14 men due to Lonsdale's customary yellow card for just being Lonsdale!
Aycliffe eventually got their just rewards with a converted try in the middle period of play. The game then drifted into a period of stalemate, despite the referee trying his best to be entertaining. (+ award more penalties than calories he'd eaten that day).
It was looking like a win for the visitors before Lister again out paced his opposite number and brush off two covering tacklers before scoring with only 5 minutes of play left. With the successful conversion from the kicking phenomenon that is Paul Dennison, North ended up 12-7 winners.
After the game there was a BBQ cooked by the rugby club chef Adam Massey (serve one, eat one, serve one, eat one etc.), and there was also a presentation to Guinness pig Nicholas 'Tank' Bainbridge for reaching the grand old age of 50 and still playing 1st team rugby for over 25 years.

Next week North have their first league game of the season at home to newly promoted Old Grovians, kick off at 3pm. North 2nds travel to Old Otliensians.