Jarrovians 31 Whitley Bay Rockcliff 34
Rockcliff concluded their pre-season preparations with a narrow win in a competitive match away against fellow Counties 2 Durham and Northumberland side Jarrovians. Jarrovians are coached by former Rockcliff members Neil and Drew Hayton. Despite both sides missing a number of key players though injuries and work commitments, the players kept the crowd entertained in a game in which the lead changed hands five times in the first half and total of eleven tries were scored.
This was a much-improved performance from Rockcliff, compared to the match at Gateshead two weeks ago, where, despite some good individual performances, the scratch side could only muster one try and a conversion in a 45 7 defeat. The try came from Adam Robinson and the conversion was from Will Forster.
On a windswept day at Jarrow, the home side opened quickly, with Callum White touching down and scrum half Jonny Horner converting for a 7 0 lead. Billy Bloomfield brought the visitors back into it, with an unconverted effort for 7 5. Shortly afterwards Idiris Pritchard edged Rockcliff in front, crossing from close range to score by the posts. Evan Bradford converted for 12 7 to Rockcliff.
Jarrovians responded well using the strong downfield wind to their advantage and pinning Rockcliff back. From a catch and drive move five metres out Rhys Williams powered over into the right hand corner, and Horman converted brilliantly from the touchline to edge his side back in front at 14 12.
From the re-start Rockcliff took the game back to their opponents, and, following a series of drives up the middle of the park, good hands down the backs created the chance for Evan Bradford to dart through from twenty metres out to score, unconverted, and put his side back in front. Rhys Willliams had the final say in the first half, joining a sweeping backs move to finish, unconverted, in the right-hand corner. The sides changed ends with Jarrovians defending a narrow two point lead at 19 17.
Rockcliff got off to a good start in the second half, when Kieran Tweedy capped a fine debut, crossing to score from close range after Andy Dunn had breached the home defence. Matty Brister then finished off a multiphase move, converted by Luke Pickerill, to open a ten point lead for Rockcliff, with the score 29 19 in their favour.
Jarrovians pressed hard to get back into the game and reduced the arrears when Deacon Wallace touched down to bring the score to 29 24, but Noah Thompson replied with Rockcliff’s sixth try of the game for 34 24. The final say in the match came from Jarrovians though, when George Harman crossed and Horman converted for 34 31 to Rockcliff at the final whistle.
Man of the match for Rockcliff was Kieran Tweedy.
Next week Rockcliff commence their league campaign, away to Barnard Castle.
