A tight game sees South just lose out

A late penalty gave Tynedale a win in a game that was strangely muted. The visitors came with a game plan that mainly revolved around their big pack securing enough ball to keep them in South's half and hopefully getting a lineout where they proved very adept at the catch and drive. They were helped enormously by South's generosity in giving away so many penalties leading to more Tynedale lineouts than they could have anticipated.

Although the home side had their usual dominance in the scrum, the visitors nullified that dominance slightly with some lightening heels that got the ball to the back of their scrum where the No 8 secured the possession before South's drive took effect
Tynedale opened the scoring after 12 minutes following the first of their many penalty awards. The fly half found touch, the catch and drive worked a treat for a converted try.0-7.

South did get a penalty at the scrum and from the lineout Martin Wolfenden drove deep into the visitors defence, Rickie Aley received and put Jacob Heath in for an unconverted try 5-7. South then took the lead when Aley spotted an opportunity and flung out a long pass to Calum Gunn who put Aaron Martin in for a try converted by Aley 12-10.

Another Tynedale penalty gave them a lineout leading to a penalty in front of the posts. giving them a 12-13 HT lead.

Two minutes into the second half and another penalty. This time as the home team dawdled back expecting a kick at goal Tynedale took it quickly and a converted try resulted 12-20 .Aley then reduced the arrears with a penalty 15-20 Aley added a further penalty 18-20 . A mysterious penalty at the scrum gave the visitors another kick at goal 18-23

On 70 minutes Aley produced a superb kick to the wing where Blane Howe plucked the ball out of the air to cross,Aley added and it was 25-23. Looking good until Tynedale were awarded three penalties within six minutes, one missed touch, the other missed the posts but third went sailing over final score 25-26.

Lessons to be learnt as the politicians say.