City Overcome Strong Ryton

Ryton RUFC v Durham City RFC v Darlington Mowden Park

As a replacement fixture for the postponed County Cup Tournament, this was always going to a very tough ask given the weather conditions, particularly up at the ‘heights of Ryton’ with a fantastic view over the Tyne valley and a blistering artic wind to match. Although the weather conditions further reduced our squad numbers, both Ryton and DMP were in the same position, with both Ryton and City able to field 1 squad + substitutes and DMP just over 2 squads on the day. A huge thank you to our host for putting on the fixture at such short notice and for DMP driving the length of the County to make it a tri-team fixture and get everybody as much game time as we could on the day. All the players, from all the squads, deserve a huge thank you for turning up and showed tremendous courage and guts for playing in the conditions – definitely the squad performance of the season so far.

Squad: Owen Chaplin, Tom Hetherington, John Berriman, James Bowman, Ben Speight, Matthew Ward, Max Blackbourne, Alfie Forbes, Thai Clark, Mark Humphries, Felix Hawes, David Barnett, Matthew Oakley, Conor Dougal, Will Tomlinson, Louie Groark

Ryton RUFC U11’s 10 – 20 Durham City RFC U11’s

After the early exchanges with some fierce tackling from both teams and the freezing wind numbing the finger tips, Durham seemed to have the ascendancy with Owen Chaplin, Tom Hetherington and James Bowmen competing well and the whole of the back line harrying the loose ball and continually forcing Ryton onto the back foot. However, it was Ryton that struck first with an excellent turnover ball after a Durham break had been halted in their own ‘15’, resulting in quick distribution out to the opposite winger, who outpaced the City defensive cover and scored a great try in the corner. 5 – 0.

A definite wake up call for the City players who responded with better control and retention of the ball and continued to keep up the pressure and looked to play the game in the Ryton half. Tom Hetherington restored parity after steady progress to make the score 5 – 5. After the restart, City continued to keep the pressure up and following some great interplay between David Barnett, Tom Hetherington, Louie Groark and Mark Humphries, Max Blackbourne scored from close in to take the score to 5 – 10 at Half Time.

Following a few more changes at half time, City continued strongly and continued to keep the pressure on Ryton, with strong runs from James Bowmen, Conor Dougal, Owen Chaplin and David Barnett and excellent support play from Tom Hetherington, City pulled away to 5 – 15 with Tom Hetherington diving over from close in. A few minutes later, after an outstanding solo effort from David Barnett, jinking through the Ryton defence and showing fantastic feet, this resulted in City notching up their fourth try to make the score 5 – 20. However, City didn’t have it all their own way and Ryton continued to compete at every opportunity and contest as much possession as they could – their reward came with another fast break away try, after a loose turnover, to take the score to 10 – 20 going into the last minute. With the Ryton players pushing strongly and buoyed by their last score, their fast winger made another searing break on the outside. However, this time City had the measure of the player and a combination of Conor Dougall gaining on the Ryton player from behind and David Barnett, again in the sweeper/full back role, covering across, they produced the play of the game with a fantastic try saving tackle to end the game.

Final Score 10 - 20

All the City players performed strongly in this tightly fought contest, with no loss of continuity despite using rolling subs from the start, and every squad member getting game time. The tackling and support play was exceptional, with special mentions to John Berriman, Ben Speight, Matthew Ward and Matthew Oakley in the forwards and Alfie Forbes, Thai Clark, Felix Hawes and Will Tomlinson in the backs. Ryton provided excellent competitive opposition, refusing to lie down and continuously representing a threat – however, all the City players rose to the occasion, despite the excruciating cold and with many playing in various positions during the game, showed the great strength in depth currently in the squad – Well done to everybody.

Darlington Mowden Park U11’s 0 – 40 Durham City RFC U11’s

With the weather staring to take its toll, both sides engaged in a very competitive first half, battling as much against the elements as each other and despite some strong runs from both teams, both sides went in scoreless at half time. After coming on late in the half, Tom Hetherington almost crossed the line to score, but was held up short. Half time 0 - 0

City started the second half with much more purpose and drive and despite the same spirited defence from DMP, City started to dominate territory and possession. The dead lock was finally broken after DMP conceded a penalty for handling in the ruck, 10m out, and following some swift handling in the backs, Louise Groark attacked strongly through the stretched DMP back line to open the scoring 0 – 5. City continued to keep the pressure on after the re-start, with the forwards and backs combining well and showing great support. After repeated drives towards the DMP line resulted in another penalty for infringing at the breakdown, Louie Groark picked up his second try of the morning, with a superb mazy run through the DMP defence. 0 - 10

With the weather conditions getting to both sides and DMP losing some continuity from the numerous substitutions they had to make to try and get all their squad members game time, City continued to dominate and extended the lead further with tries, one from Felix Hawes (0 – 15) after a typical darting run from the No. 9, and one from Owen Chaplin bulldozing his way through the DMP defence from 10m out (0 – 20). Matthew Ward wrapped up the game for City with an excellent solo try from 40m out, picking up a loose ball deep in the City half and stretching his legs to out pace the opposition defence and take the score to 0 – 25. However, DMP didn’t lie down and came close to scoring in the last minute of the game, only to be denied by strong tackling and defensive work from the City players.

Final Score 0 - 25

Again, all the City squad showed great commitment and courage to brave the elements and keep the concentration up during the second game of the morning. DMP fought hard and kept parity in the first half, but the continued pressure from the City squad told in the second half. Again all the City players who braved the elements at Ryton rose to the occasion, and despite the depleted numbers, showed that all the squad have continued to improve this season, despite the lost games and training sessions so far. Again, a big thank you to all the opposition players, coaches and supporters who braved the elements and to Ryton for also hosting the fixture – Well done everybody and hopefully we should have thawed out by about May.

Match Reports: Jeff Bowman & Mark Berriman