BLIMEY! Nobody predicted this.
Alnwick’s season kicked off with a thumping victory against a tough side that had narrowly beaten them in April.
But it wasn’t just the points on the board - although they were lovely to see - it was the way all the boys battled from the first whistle to the last.
There were heroes all over the pitch in a match that will have been a huge confidence booster after some of the bruising defeats last year.
It was nip and tuck in the early exchanges, all played 10 metres either side of the half-way line, but the home side put in some crunching tackles on the visitors from Cheshire from the very start.
The first try came after just 10 minutes when Alnwick’s forwards won a ruck and then quick work from the backs got the ball to Reece Gaines who ran 30 metres to touch down.
Gaines’ conversion attempt hit the post, but just five minutes later he was over the try line again after another dash from 20 metres out to the corner flag.
Home supporters were cheering again only two minutes after that when James Stanley made good ground into opposition territory allowing Josh Lowes to power over for try number three.
With Gaines converting for the extra two points the half-time whistle saw Alnwick 17-0 to the good.
Having watched the first XV throw away a strong lead in the opening stages of the second half of their match against Doncaster, our boys then followed the senior team’s example, allowing Winnington Park an easy try almost straight from the re-start.
Fortunately, that proved to just be a blip as the lads buckled down to play some great rugby once again. The forwards were fighting for the hard yards to gain territory and the backs were showing crisp passing skills and real guts to throw themselves into tackles.
The Winnington Park boys must have wondered why they had travelled 208 miles north from their Northwich base with the likes of James Keane, Drew Thompson and Ian Apthorpe in ferocious form in the rucks and mauls.
A special mention too for the guests from Berwick who once again threw themselves into the fray.
Gaines got his hat-trick 12 minutes into the second half after Alnwick won a scrum and the ball was once again fed out to him at speed.
The game then opened up as early season legs got tired. The visitors were now in charge, camped on home turf and that pressure eventually saw them pop over for a second try.
Undaunted, the boys then played some of the best rugby we’ve seen from them. Fast, flowing moves, a desire to really fight for the ball and some terrific tackles.
The welcome sight of Joe Broughton back in a blue shirt was almost topped off with a comeback try, but when he seemed certain to score he got tackled inches from the try line.

Ben Leadbitter then took over the attack and he too came tantalisingly close to extending Alnwick’s lead before the home side were pulled up by the referee for an infringement in a ruck beneath the visitor’s posts.
In the last minute though Harry Paul sidestepped one defender and handed off a second to touch down under the posts.
Gaines then fluffed the easiest of conversions, but with the scoreboard reading 27-10 nobody minded this time.
Coach Leadbitter was delighted by the performance.
“We started off today telling the lads to play their own game, but to look for space, support each other and tackle well,” he said.
“They did all of that and more. They have come back after the summer with a great attitude.
“I saw excellent tackling today from people who in the past might have backed off from getting stuck into an opponent. That was great.
“Man of the match was Josh Lowes for his contribution all over the pitch.
“Harry Paul deserves a mention for supporting Reece Gaines for all his tries, following him right up to the try line and he deservedly got his own try in the end aided by a very well executed hand off.”
Unbeaten all season, Alnwick will travel to Whitley Bay on Sunday to face Rockcliff. On this form it could be a cracking day out at the seaside.