Vikings Clip Eagles Wings

Jarrow set out to retain their Premier League Winners title a week later than scheduled due to Sunderland pulling out of the opening fixture the week below. Wallsend however were impressive 62 – 34 winners over Premier new boys Catterick Crusaders in their opening encounter.
Suitable buoyed by their success the previous week the Eagles certainly showed their intentions in the early exchanges at Monkton Stadium and were first on the score sheet after 8 minutes when former Gateshead Thunder star Dan O’Sullivan crossed the line to score a try and scrum half Simon Ayre slotted the conversion with ease.
It was obvious that Jarrow were ring rusty and were making uncharacteristic errors in defence and allowing Wallsend territory and field position.
The home sides nerves were settled in the 17th minute when second row Phill Wall scored and Graham Lupton was able to add the conversion.
More errors and frustration from the home side, combined with some determined play from the visitors, saw the scores locked at 6 – 6 for the next 15 minutes as both sides tried to create an opening.
It was Jarrow debutant Josh Milnes who steadied the nerves even more as he finished off a fine Vikings move to allow them to take the lead for the first time on 30 minutes.
Just 3 minutes later another Viking new boy Warren “Irish” Deans struck out wide on the right wing to take the score to 14 – 6 at the half time interval.
Jarrow veteran prop Paul Dodsworth smashed through the Eagles defence to crash over the line 3 minutes after the re-start.
Wallsend struck back again when substitute George Read scored allowing Ayre another comfortable conversion in the 51st minute.
7 minutes later the gap was opened up again when some good footwork and power took Vikings loose forward Andy Morris over the line to score and Lupton again dispatched the conversion.
On the hour mark Wallsend intercepted a Jarrow pass deep in their own half and broke free to score at the other end, Tom Read finishing off the move and Ayre adding the extras.
On 70 minutes the referee had had enough of warning Wallsend for constant infringements, in particular high tackles, which led to the inevitable sin binning of second row Sean Wood.
The Vikings took full advantage of the extra and struck immediately with Morris bagging his second of the game and Lupton adding the conversion.
Lupton sealed the result with a try of his own and his final conversion saw the final score Jarrow 36 – 18 Wallsend.