Rockcliff kicked off against the wind and slope and established early territorial advantage which they sustained for most of the first half. However, despite their best efforts they only managed to establish a 3-0 half time lead, from a Terry Macauley penalty.

Rockcliff maintained their territorial advantage, but Winlaton were not giving up without a fight and the home pack were in excellent form as they kept the pressure on the visitors in both the loose and the tight with the front five of Neil Mather, Ian Ramsay, Andy Partis, Neil Thornton, and James Carson once again providing a solid scrimmaging platform.

With 17 minutes gone Terry Macauley launched a huge garryowen which the Winlaton full back failed to field and full back Craig Tomlinson took advantage of a favourable bounce to cut in to score his first try of the match. Macauley added the conversion and Rockcliff moved into a 15-0 lead.
 

John Beck on Craig Tomlinson

Ryton 3^rd XV 3 – Rockcliff 2^nd XV 0

The Vikings reversed their slipshod ways of the last two weeks with an excellent performance in this league fixture at Ryton, and despite losing they appear to have recovered the form that saw them gain promotion three years on the trot. 

Despite dominating the early exchanges the Vikings could not find a way through the Ryton defence and then they fell behind to a penalty with 20 minutes gone. The visitors rallied and pressed forward, with a series of scrums on the Ryton line. One of these scrums collapsed and prop Mick Routledge was injured in the process and second row Graham Hall gamely stepped up to take over in the front row, ensuring that the scrums remained contested.

The score remained 3-0 at half time and the second half became an increasingly abrasive battle of attrition centred around the midfield with occasional breaks by the backs to spice things up a bit. Neither side could find a way through the opposition defence and the game needed at 3-0.

JARROVIANS RFC 2^nd XV 39 – WHITLEY BAY ROCKCLIFF RFC 3^RD XV 12

A makeshift Rangers side, shored up by three players on loan from Jarrovians, huffed and puffed against a free running home side and despite a valiant rally in the latter stages of the second half couldn’t find the legs to keep the effort going in the second period.

The Rangers started well, and had Jarrovians pinned back for the first fifteen minutes but were caught out three times by the home side launching counter attacks and fell behind 17- 0 with twenty five minutes gone. Lawrence Fletcher reduced the deficit with a deserved unconverted try five minutes later, but Jarrovians countered again to establish a 22-5 score line. Once again Fletcher rose to the occasion, and he powered over from a short range penalty to close the gap once again. Colin Bradshaw added a conversion and at half time the sides changes ends with the score at 22-12 and the Rangers still in with a shout. 

Rangers had to adjust their back line at half time with centre Tim Walker going off injured, and with winger Dave Skelton suffering a hand injury the defence was always going to be tested as Jarrovians looked to run the ball at every opportunity and the home side ran in a further three tries with one converted to close the game at 39-12.

Wallsend 19 Rockcliff 0

Another opportunity passed Rockcliff U17s by as poor discipline and simple decision making let them lose another evenly matched fixture. Wallsend must be credited for their resilient defence despite Rockcliff crossing the line twice but failing to score.

Man of the match Dale harrison is fast becoming a very bright prospect for Rockcliff as he was tireless in attack and defence despite having a badly dislocated finger partway throught the first half.

Rockcliff U17s must get the basics correct if they are to salvage their season.

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