Solid Performance for 80 minutes

Consett won the toss and immediately took advantage of receiving possesion from the kick off, playing the territory early doors proved worthwhile as we scored from a line out after 4 minutes following a backs move which saw Nick Cook cross the line under the posts (7-0). After struggling to make more inroads into the Acklam defence they kicked a penalty because of offside in the backs (7-3). Acklam had the chance to reduce the deficit further however failed to do so from a penalty, however made the most of the 22m restart, after stringing numerous phases together they scored (7-8). Acklam extended their lead to 7-14 after repeat offending for going off our feet at the ruck. With 10 minutes to go until the half Consett took a quick tap penalty 5m out from their try line however struggled to score, the referee saw an offence he deemed to be a yellow card and sent an Acklam player to the sin bin for 10. After not opting for 3 points at the last penalty, Nick Cook took the points on this occasion (10-14). Acklam responded immediately straight from the kick off after tackling the Consett catcher who was penalised for holding on (10-17). Ben Jones scored Consett's next try, in his favourite corner after some good backs handling, Haydn Petch made a break and offloaded for Jones to score out wide, conversion missed (15-17). Consett found time for their 3rd first half try after the restart when Acklam tried to kick deep, they only found the big hands of Ben Jones who made a break from the back and offloaded to the supporting Jack Clark who scorched away from 50m to score his first try in senior rugby (22-17), a deserving score line at Half time.

Consett scored their bonus point try after only 1 minute of the second half gone, a loose ball in centre field was collected and offloaded to Phillip Brown who made and break and passed to Dallas Broderson who went the 30 m to score in the corner, conversion made (29-17). Consett now knew they just had to stop Acklam getting back into the game and the most effective way appeared to be pinning them back deep into their own half, with Broderson's touch finders being very effective, Consett received a penalty from a resulting lineout, however failed to score after a quick tap was once again taken. Not long after Consett were awarded a penalty for holding on, this time the posts were pointed to however the opportunity was missed. Only 3 minutes later, after a strong run up centre field from Mark Lee, Consett were awarded another, more simple penalty for a break down offence, this time the points were scored 32-17, another penalty from Nick Cook just 2 mins later made the score 35-17. Consett scored their 5th try through Nick Cook after good work from Haydn Petch making a break the ball was given for a simple 3 on 1. Try scored under the posts (42-17). Only half way through this half Acklam once again found themselves down to 14 men, however the first score following this went to themselves after some poor tackling the Acklam winger scored, conversion made (42-24). With 10 mins to go Consett began making substitutions, numerous players coming victim to the heavy ground with cramp. Straight from the kick off Consett knew they had to play sensibly as this game was far from over, Dallas Broderson once again drilling the ball to within 5m of their line, Consett were in a good position and Mark lee scored another try, close in to the posts after another strong run (49-24). Soon after Acklam scored another converted try (49-31). The Consett players were aware their new aim was to prevent Acklam scoring 4 try's to get a losing bonus point. However this was not on the mind of Dallas Broderson who again took off down the wing to score his 2nd try of the game, although he struggled to cross the line, limping in from 10m out, another victim of cramp! The conversion was missed and the game finished 54-31 to Consett.

Another very good attacking performance from Consett, who are getting the ball into the hands of their most dangerous players, both upfront and out wide! The main concern however is the defence, as we continue to miss simple tackles, which in turn puts us under massive pressure. If we can continue scoring the number of points we are and tighten up our defence, to prevent opposition scores there's only one way this youthful Consett side are heading!

We all look forward to a physical encounter at Hartlepool Rovers next week, another team with good attacking threats and a big pack! Kick offs have now moved to 14.15.