Dog Handler Shines at Westoe

Sunderland Under 10s reap rewards at Westoe.

Sunderland travelled to the lush green pitches of the Oakleigh Gardens Cul-de-sac to battle Westoe for an end of season match. Although locked out we all managed to scale the iron fencing, respect to Alan Horne for the Golden Retriever Passover!!

A tight game from the off but Sunderland broke the deadlock through fly half Ben Hutchinson with a fantastic try. Matthew Sanderson at scrum half then added a lovely second try aided by big tackles from Adam Armstrong and Michael Holder. Poor scrummage and lack of hooking meant Sunderland lost possession but miraculously Hutchinson surged through for another great score before Westoe responded to make the score 3-1. Fantastic rucking by Aidan Wayman cleared the way for the forwards to secure ball enabling some great opportunity. Sunderlands prop Tye Hanlon made a great break from the kick off and almost scored, luckily this was quickly followed up by a lovely solo run by Rowan James on the wing who received a great pass and could easily have scored but made an unselfish pass to Dean Edmundson who leapt over the line to score. Hutchinson soon added another to get his hat trick displaying some great rugby. A bouyant Sunderland kept up the pressure making some huge tackles allowing Sanderson to add a 6th and final try of the game - final score 6-1 to Sunderland.

Sunderland made 5 changes for the second game and Dev Koca ensured that Sunderland bagged the leading score. Impressive ripping by Fletcher Jackson secured much needed possession, then great passing by Jackson and good hands by Holder made the score 2-0. Great hooking by Reece Thompson impressed and this allowed a fantastic run from the Sunderland touch by Luke Newby who scored a brilliant solo try - not as impressive as his Mums scones mind you! Decisive offloading by Ky Horn created quick second phase ball, then another impressive break by Lance in his debut match, made good ground before unluckily being forced into touch. Jackson then made an excellent break for 4-0 and he added yet another, following some unselfish team play from Koca. After halftime the second half was launched with an excellent try by Edmundson via a great timed offload by Hutchinson. Tye Hanlon made a fine pass soon after, which gave Edmundson space to score again. Hutchinson added yet another to make it 8-0. And in the final seconds, after great work from Edmundson, Holder flew on the wing to make the final score 9-0. An excellent all-round display from the team, some fantastic passing and great use of the ball.

Coaches awarded man of the match medals to: Aidan Wayman for his tireless hard work in the forwards and to Lance for a strong debut performance.