Seghill welcomed Wallsend to Welfare Park on Saturday for a DN3 league clash between two of the four Northumberland based sides. The 1st XV squad were expecting a tough fixture but had prepared well both in training and pre-match. Last season's fixtures saw home victories in both games, Seghill on the end of a drubbing on the Coast Road last December, but claiming a 41 v 24 opening day victory in 2016.

Seghill had a few regulars missing, vice-captain George Hogg, tighthead prop Matthew Sherman and back rower Will Smith unavailable. In their absence a number of players were called up from the victorious Deputies side from the week before: Ben Dawson, Jack Scott, Jack Smith and brothers Jake & Zak Swaddle. With the Deputies not having a fixture it meant the 1st XV could have a full 5 man replacements bench to call upon if needed.

The game started very evenly, Seghill kicking off into the Wallsend half. However, some poor initial discipline from Seghill saw Wallsend work their way into the hosts 22. Some good defensive organisation was enough to repel numerous Wallsend efforts, with only a few breakout opportunities for the Seghill backs. An early yellow card 15 mins into the game galvanised the Seghill forwards and it wasn't until 30 minutes in that Wallsend finally broke through for an unconverted try.

The final 10 mins of the first half were a completely different story with Seghill able to use their dominance in the scrum to pressure Wallsend back into their own 22. A 5 metre scrum was driven forward and allowed number 8 Jake Armstrong to jump on a ball over the line. Unfortunatley, the ball fell off the tee just as Phil Bramble struck the ball, leading to a missed grubber conversion!

In contrast, Seghill's second try came through some fast-paced cohesive phases, working from side-to-side and involving forwards and backs to finally set Adam Ballantyne free down the left wing and to dot down for a second 5 pointer. Again, Phil Bramble was unable to convert was close to the touchline in the windy conditions.

HT Seghill 10 v 5 Wallsend

The second half was a dogged affair with both packs working hard for the first 20 minutes. Numerous turnovers, scrums and lineouts kept the ball mostly with the forwards with limited opportunities for sustained attack. A yellow card for each side created a little more space on the field and as the game wore on and players began to tire, Wallsend found themselves with a good attacking opportunity and good work down the blindside allowed the winger to cross for the levelling try, again unconverted.

In the last 10 minutes the game opened up somewhat and Seghill did have some opportunities to try and seal the victory. So much so that we actually scored a try following great link up playing between Adam Ballantyne and Adam French, only for the referee to call play back for an alleged forward pass.

Final score 10 v 10.

Overall, the Seghill lads were left with a sense of disappointment and frustration at a game that should have been won. Wallsend are a strong and solid team and we knew it would be difficult but despite a decent performance, the accuracy and execution of our game plan wasn't consistent enough to get the win.

An a positive note, praise is due to the whole front row, in-particular to Ben Dawson and Jake Swaddle for stepping up from Deputies duty the previous week and contributing to a dominant scrum! This was Jake's first game at hooker and he adapted to the new role very well.

Seghill 10 v 10 Wallsend

Tries: Jake Armstrong & Adam Ballantyne

Lineup:

1.Rick Monaghan
2.Jake Swaddle
3.Ben Dawson
4.Dean Bennett (c)
5.James Pooley
6.Dan Arrowsmith
7.Phil Ballantyne
8.Jake Armstrong

9.Ryan Wood
10.Brad Glennie
11.Adam Ballantyne
12.Dave Gregory
13.Joe Gallon
14.Phil Bramble
15.Adam French

16.Jack Scott
17.Dan Blackburn
18.Zak Swaddle
19.Jack Smith
20.Ryan Evans