Darlington RFC 18 - 32 Ryton RFC

A mixed affair at Blackwell Meadows on an initially wet and windy Saturday. Darlington got off to a good start, pegging back Ryton's strong runners with solid defence in the opening exchanges of the game. As Darlington started to attack more errors crept in for the away side and Darlington were eventually awarded with a penalty in front of the posts which was duly converted by Adam Gardner.

As the half progressed Darlington dominated the majority of the proceedings, with Gardner kicking well for territory and the forward pack utilising their strength, mobility and experience to move the home side up the pitch. The forwards were rewarded for their hard work with a well taken line-out 10m out, with Joe Hargreaves being the beneficiary of an unstoppable maul that powered over the Ryton line, with Gardner again using the boot to add the extras. The second score of the game came initially from an effective backs move which allowed Andy Harris to show good strength and speed down the left to break the tackle and keep the ball in play, the ball was recycled a few times and eventually ended up with Dan Miller getting over the line for the 2nd Darlington try of the day. The half time score Darlington 15 - 0 Ryton.

Ryton came out in the second half a much changed team, from what was seemed a one way affair in the home sides favou in the first half, the majority of the play and the possession was with the away team as they pressured the home side time and time again. Their first breakthrough came with a well worked try which allowed the oppositions outside centre to work his way round to the corner with the kicker adding the additional 2 points. A further converted try and a penalty gave the away side a 15-17 lead with 10 minutes left on the clock. Darlington really had to rally to get a grasp back on the game, as the forwards again managed to utilise the ever so effective driving maul Darlington were awarded with a penalty 22m out in front of the posts, with a penalty again being kicked the home side were back in front with 6 minutes remaining on the clock.

Unfortunately, from this point Ryton managed to close the game out the stronger side, errors initially awarding the away side a penalty some distance out that was well kicked to give the away side the lead again, and from the resulting kick-off some tired tackling allowed Ryton to break through and score the final try. This was to be the last of the game, as the officials whistle duly blew to signal the end of the affair.