There was confidence in the camp as the lads arrived following last weekend’s success at the 10s tournament.
This was soon tempered when the squad realised that they grow them big in the N. East and 15s is a very different game.
A solid speech from Captain Connor Tyne got the minds and heads straight and we were fast out of the blocks with a penalty quickly followed by a Josh Cooke try giving us an 8-0 lead.
A strong squad and the willingness of lads to stand up and volunteer to play out of position is vital. Today this was demonstrated in droves when we lost Harry Thomason (Hooker) and Ollie Brady (Out half) to shoulder injuries 20 minutes in. Dan Comerford and Harry Teale stepped in for them and did a magnificent job.
The injuries and an improved Middlesbrough didn’t help and we limped to half time 8-5 up.
The second half can only be described as a master class. The forwards set up great ball and the backs ran riot. We had tries from Forber, Exley, Scott, Parkin and Cooke who wrapped up his day with a hat trick.
A name missing off the try sheet is Harry Fuller who was devastating in both attack and defence.
The final result of 51-5 shows just how good this squad can be. Onwards and upwards.
Before I sign off, I can confirm the Alex Exley suffered severe bruising, Harry Thomason is iced up and Ollie Brady has a dislocation which has been set. The Doctors have advised that Ollie will be back in 2 – 3 weeks.
