Ryton 24 Yarnbury 24

HAVING won away at Thornensians on the opening match of the season, Yarnbury grabbed another away point at Ryton on Saturday and should perhaps have taken two.

Another long journey to the north-east at last proved fruitful at the third time of asking and the Hosforth outfit continued on an upward curve which has seen them beat Ashington and Beverley in recent weeks.

With the elements behind them, Yarnbury had to withstand the expected opening salvo from the home side and it was some 15 minutes before they were able to obtain any real possession. Having matched the home side's aggression and enthusiasm, the dominant Yarnbury line-out, and young second-rower Lian Rigby in particular, they took the game by the scruff of the neck.

It was a Rigby line-out, in fact, that allowed seasoned centre Phil Deacon to crash into the opposition defence some 20 yards out with flying open-side flanker Martin Rivett attached to his shoulder. Quick ruck ball and some nifty handling by the back division allowed right-winger John Bramham to walk in for his easiest try of the season.

Minutes later, more good lineout work from Rigby's partner Matthew Burton, and some aggressive rucking from pack leader Martin Booth and prop Rivett set up their backline for yet another attack. Deacon and veteran centre partner Andy Marshall, with a combined age of 72, launched Yarnbury's Paul McNulty at the Ryton defence. Crashing through four tacklers, the plump, red-cheeked powerhouse was brought down inches from the line. Yarnbury though weren't to be denied and full-back Billy Thompson, snaffled the loose ball and burrowed his way off the line. Skipper Steve Lee nailed a cracking conversion to give his side a 12 point lead.

Yarnbury, though, had not finished their first-half scoring spree and to the delight of their only travelling supporter Tommy Deacon, son Phil touched down for Yarnbury's third try. Fly-half Ian Whitehurst produced a chip over the Ryton defence for Deacon to chase and he won the race for another five-pointer. Steve Lee again slotted the extras and Yarnbury were out to a 19-0 lead after 35 minutes.

Staring a big defeat in the face, the home side suddenly rallied and produced some typical north-east rugby, scoring two tries. At 19-12, suddenly the game was on again and, with the wind in their sails, the home side pinned the Horsforth boys in their own half for long periods. Stout, enthusiastic defence from the Yarnbury lads led to the inevitable intervention from the merry whistleblower and, two converted penalties later, the home side were within one point of their visitors.

Butterfield entered the fray with 20 minutes to go and made an immediate impact combining well with his back-row teammate, Aidy Moule. In a very tight area the two somehow contrived to create space for winger John Bramham to weave his magic. His mazy 40-yard run seemed to be coming to an end though as the defence closed in, but suddenly ever present flanker Martin Rivett appeared on his shoulder to continue the move and dive over in the corner.

At 24-18 in front, Yarnbury once again found themselves defending their line, but two further penalties later the home side had levelled the score at 24-24. Steve Lee almost won the match for the Horsforth outfit when his last minute drop goal went agonising close and shaved the upright. The Ryton boys, though very nearly took both points themselves in the dying seconds and only an incredible try-saving tackle from powerhouse prop forward Craig Holgate denied them spoils.

Having outscored the home side by four tries to two, the Yarnbury boys felt disappointed that they did not record their second league victory of the season

Ryton 8 Yarnbury Thirds 32

YARNBURY travelled the considerable distance to Newcastle for their first ever encounter with Ryton. With only 14 men, due to players being unavailable, Yarnbury weren't that confident of pulling off a result.

But from the off Yarnbury were dominant, with the wind at their back, the visitors soon had Ryton pinned in their '22'. Rupert Hutton, playing his first game since recovering from gout, soon stamped his considerable pace and size on the opposition, which had no answer to his powerful runs which resulted in a hat-trick, which he completed late in the second-half.

Tries also came from Phil Adams who returned to make a successful centre partnership with the powerful running Neil Pennington. Also second-rower Carl Spurr crossed to cap off a very competent display. Lastly, ever improving hooker Paul Verity barged over for a deserved try.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.