The Wallsend coaches mixed the teams and warmed up all players well on a windy morning.
A combination of ball handling and touch rugby, combined with a little coaching set up the encounter well.

1st GAME

The teams took to the park for the first of two games chomping on the bit. Wallsend made some early running and got close, but a teeth chattering tackle by Jacob Markle stopped their momentum.

Fearless play resulted in Rios Hare reluctantly going off early for treatment to a mild blood injury.

Ponteland then began to show some good rucking and support play, culminating in a try for Dan Kelly then repeated not long after the re-start with another terrific solo try for Dan, punching through from the half way line.

Spirited play continued from both sides, the wind and dry hands resulting in quite a few scrums.
Toward the end of the first half Wallsend just failed to capitalise on a good spell, lost possession and after some good passing from the Ponteland backs, they just couldn’t stop winger Jack Maskey from dashing over in the corner for a third try.

The referee (Gavin - Wallsend) blew for half time and the teams gathered to discuss. A couple of substitutions, a quick drink, change of ends and we were off again.

Early pressure paid off for Ponteland and again good passing play from the backs resulted in
Jackson Banks flying down the wing to score a fourth try in the corner.
Wallsend were un-daunted and through some deft handling, matched with grit, forced though for the no11 to score a well-deserved try.
Not to be outdone, a quick restart saw Dan Kelly once again down the ball for his hat-trick and Ponteland`s fifth try.

Gavin called the teams together for little discipline nudge suggesting, players complaining and tackles drifting a bit high, was not the stuff of rugby. Guidance fully backed by the Ponteland coaches.

Game re-started and some good forward play including a determined half pitch run from Nathan Butler with constant support from the backs. This saw Ponteland once again bear down on the Wallsend goal line with Jackson acting fast from a near-thing to pounce and get his second and Ponteland`s sixth try.
After some excellent Ponteland interplay from the half back combination of Matt-the-Hat Barron and the unsinkable Joe Brady, a pass to skipper and centre Nathan Anderson saw him catch the `wind with heel` and ran strongly, weaving well to give Ponteland its seventh try.

Again showing grit with heart, Wallsend came back again and caught Ponteland`s defence at a picnic, going over for their second try.
Ponteland again responded with strong pressure and after many hands Dan Kelly went over for Ponteland`s eighth try. He was promptly substituted for doing so well.
Again Wallsend responded and scored just before the final whistle.

Between the games, the Ponteland players were reminded by the coaches to stick to basics. Some substitutions were made and positional adjustments made. Some took it well, some aghast. From stand off to wing and wing to hooker reminded the players complacency is not an option. `It was funny to see the outrage` said a passer-by.

2nd GAME

Rios (back on after shrugging off his war-wound) drew first blood (see what we did there) for a try, balanced quickly by Wallsend as they equalised straight afterwards. Jackson flew down the wing again to claim Ponteland`s second try.

A half time reminder to the players by the coaches went down reasonably well, that the referee is right and if they want to speak, don`t. At least 2 players eyes were aghast and their heads were about to explode when Gavin blew for the second half start. Again more substitutions and repositioning had some incredulous utterances of `who me, there, really?`

As tiredness kicked in and the bi product of indiscipline surfaced, Gavin once again called the teams together to instruct, guide and suggest behaviour of a rugby union player.
Some desperate to respond bit down their opinion as the glaring, nodding Ponteland coaches threatened an early bath to any young Prince who bursts forth with any outraged remark.

Once again underway, Sam Stephens and Ben Conroy showed excellent selfless forward play providing a bedrock ruck, ball being available quickly for the backs to get to the wing for Jackson to go over. Sam and Ben were substituted as who could better that.

Tries for Ponteland followed as Wallsend couldn’t find an answer.
Discipline on both sides started to get lazy, rectified again by a Gavin `chat`.
Both Dan K and Rios going over again and Dan popped up again to deliver a great pass to Dan Galbraith to sidestep his way to a fine try and Ponteland`s sixth.

Again Ponteland defence found wanting at a re-start and Wallsend went over for a second.

Jackson again scored (his fourth) and the game came to an end. 7 - 2 to Ponteland.

Teams shook hands and cheers were exchanged in good humour. Ponteland congratulated Gavin on his hospitality, deft coaching/refereeing and made immediate plans for another game in the new year.
Wallsend U12s are definitely friends of Ponteland U12s.

Man of the match is the quiet, respectful and brave Jackson Banks