In a week that ultimately ended with three defeats, the Seghill players showed incredible spirit and determination to compete in the league and the cup, learning some valuable lessons whilst playing against top teams. The trilogy of fixtures started last Saturday (11th March) at home to 2nd place Richmondshire in the league, moving onto Wednesday night (15th March) in a cup semi final away at Percy Park Lions before returning to league action yesterday (18th March) to play top of the table Newton Aycliffe at home.

11/03/2017 - Seghill 17 v 57 Richmondshire - DN3 - Home

Richmondshire travelled up to Northumberland hoping for a win to keep up with Newton Aycliffe at the top of the table. Seghill had taken a small squad down for a return fixture before Christmas and had competed well against a well drilled side.

We were unfortunate to have two yellow cards during the game but ultimately Richmondshire's powerful scrum and direct running gave them a deserved win. Seghill competed well and scored three tries of their own with some classy back play.

Tries: A.Ballantyne, W.Smith (2)
Con: Sherman
Lineup: 1.Monaghan 2.Sherman (c) 3.Dawson 4.Peacock 5.Pooley 6.Swaddle 7.W.Smith 8.Armstrong 9.Wood 10.Glennie 11.J.Smith 12.Gallon 13.P.Ballantyne 14.A.Ballantyne 15.Goodwin. Subs: Arrowsmith, Evans, Burns

15/03/2017 - Percy Park Lions 68 v 29 Seghill - Northumberland Senior Shield Semi Final - Away

Having reached one stage further than last season where we were knocked out in the quarter final, Seghill earned the opportunity to face a strong Percy Park Lions (2nd XV) under the floodlights in the semi finals. To put into context, Percy Park's first team play 3 divisions higher than Seghill and the side the lads faced on Wednesday contained more than a few who were accustomed to playing at that level, including a former Premiership player.

The first half was a competitive affair and despite conceding two early tries, Seghill were soon back in the game with a penalty and then a couple of tries of their own. HT score 23 v 17. Whilst the commitment and ability never wavered, unfortunately the intensity and fitness levels of our opponents took it's tole on the Seghill forwards in the second half as Percy Park were able to run in a number of tries. Seghill did put together some decent phases, working deep in the 22 to score a pick-and-go try. This was then followed up by a 50m intercept by Adam French who made the distance to touchdown for our 4th try.

Many spectators commented positively on the performance put in by the lads in Black and Red who came away knowing that the same display would beat any team in our league.

Tries: Glennie, Goodwin, Monaghan, French
Cons: Sherman (3)
Pen: Sherman

lineup: 1.Monaghan 2.Hogg (c) 3.Sherman 4.King 5.Mclean 6.Wright 7.Pooley 8.Armstrong 9.Wood 10.Glennie 11.Burgess 12.W.Smith 13.Gallon 14.A.Ballantyne 15.Goodwin Subs: Taylor, Arrowsmith, Peacock, Evans, P.Ballantyne, French

18/03/2017 - Seghill 3 v 79 Newton Aycliffe - DN3 - Home

Seghill completed their trio of fixtures with a re-arranged DN3 league clash at home to a Newton Aycliffe side who knew that victory would give them a long awaited promotion to DN2. With a depleted 17 man squad heading into the game, many of those who played were still feeling the effects of Wednesday night's physical cup semi final.

There was a noticeable lack of intensity from the Seghill team who, not aided by some team errors, conceded a number of tries to give Aycliffe the bonus point victory. The lads didn't give up throughout and managed to slot a last minute penalty to ensure the scoreline didn't read nil.

Pens: Sherman

lineup: 1.Monaghan 2.Hogg (c) 3.Dawson 4.Arrowsmith 5.Mclean 6.Swaddle 7.King 8.Armstrong 9.Glennie 10.Sherman 11.Burns 12.W.Smith 13.Gallon 14.J.Smith 15.A.Ballantyne Subs: Taylor, Pooley.

We have three games left in the league this season- the next being an away trip to Hartlepool BBOB next Saturday 25th March.