Now add the County of Northumberland to Cornwall as citadels still to be conquered by CRUFC. An emphatic victory secured by the residents of a beauty spot to rival any in the national leagues. Salmon fishing not steel is now the essence of this upper Tyne valley. How wrong can first impressions be.

Defending a home unbeaten run of 30 games, our hosts appeared apprehensive. Cambridge were second in the league, the highest try scorers with the best defensive record. A Viking invasion was on the cards. Tynedale ignored recent history and destroyed us in two purple patches of play by a margin of 34 points and 6 tries to 2

Where then did the wheels come off the cart? That I am faced with such a perplexing question demands careful and considered analysis, We were well prepared, rested locally overnight and had Shanners included in a full strength back line. Our formidable pack lacked only the Guess/Legge partnership from recent games. Rob Hurrell was back and returning to full match fitness. No easy game in prospect but one that was winnable and essential for any championship contender. Luke Pearce, the referee on the day was familiar. He had taken the game at Cinderford. No yellow cards blemished this game and the young referee delivered a competent display, never other than on the pace. Then perhaps the difference lay in the quality of our opponents and the extent to which they are much more at home at home. Others might reach different conclusions but my diagnosis would suggest that we were beaten by a lighter faster fifteen where pace and technique outmatched strength and height advantage. The Tynedale pitch sits on the waterline, heavy soil making every step an effort for those used to firmer pitches. The weather never featured as a positive for either side. Had it rained however the result could have been very different.

The game began well. Kicking with the wind, Cambridge retained possession to score within two minutes. Chris Lombaard made the distance, tackled just short of the line but near enough for Luke Fielden, backing up to collect off the ground and score by the left hand post. Ben Patston missed a difficult conversion. An even passage of play followed, a sprinkling of loose passes from both sides. But more in evidence of things to come was the ease at which the Cambridge scrum was pressured although Tynedale at the first set piece, conceded a penalty. No hint so far of the dangers to come, although a Tynedale clear interception was thwarted by the referee's whistle for an earlier offside. Success from Patso's boot pointed to good progress so far for Cambridge. Competent lineout work in particular was evident with every forward contributing to deliver clean and decent ball. Our backs showed pace and their passes were well directed. Four penalties awarded, all to the visitors. Pressure was continuous accompanied by Jerry's voice from the stands "another metre guys,come on". Then suddenly a reversal of fortunes and probably the telling moment of the game. A quick Tynedale lineout, three rucks, ball out wide on the open side, pass inside for a decisive break, back outside to centre Jack Harrison to score. Seven points to come close enough to the visitor's lead to encourage the local supporters to expect more and better from their team. They did not disappoint. Purple patch Number 1, with two more tries in eight minutes, each establishing authority in a particular aspect of play. The first a product of quality support, lock Andrew Murray backing up on the blind side as three Tynedale men took on two defenders. The second came from an uninterrupted attack from the restart, the ball flowing neatly right to left, each player making the essential but economical few metres. Then back from far left to far right, diminutive wing, Jack Smales outpacing his opponents easily, from 25 metres out. Robert Mellor kicked the conversion from a difficult angle. 12 added points against the light wind, Tynedale now leading 19 - 8 as quarter 1 ended.

Far from out of the game, Cambridge attacked, retained all the possession and deserved a fight back try as Shanners slipped over the line, literally, for a quality score. He had stepped inside twice, losing his footing on the third as the line was at his feet. Now the gap closed to just 4 points and every indication of a hard fought contest with points on offer for both sides. A disallowed try for "Tyne" had been preceded by a foot in touch. Of much more significance was the ease at which the Tynedale pack pushed their opponents backwards in the set piece scrums. DVD footage to be scrutinised carefully. The Tynedale back row were also faster to the breakdown than their heavier opponents, open side flanker, Grant Rastau very much out of the legendary Sean Gadsby mould (played 500 games for CRUFC 1st XV). An easy penalty gave Tynedale a valuable 3 more points on the 27th minute. But still no clear winner in sight. An attack from an unforced spilt ball following a short penalty, gave Tynedale a further try, a gift converted with ease, one economical short pass after another. Scored by Jack Smales on the overlap.

A rarity these days,"one against the head" followed - clear evidence of weaknesses in the Cambridge scrum, to work on this week. Penalties conceded led to a line out then a scrum on the Cambridge 5 metre line. Stout defence for a time but Tynedale had the scent of another easy score, easy for them that is, and delivered with a short inside pass to hooker Joseph Graham. Fourth try, bonus earning, as if Tynedale really cared for such modest riches.

Half Time Tynedale 36 Cambridge 15.

Of course reversals are always possible providing your opponents relax enough to allow you to ride your mistakes and claw your way back into the game. Such is the importance for both sides, in all matches, to dictate events in the third quarter of the game.. As it was, "Tyne" made it game set and match with one more unconverted try, and two penalties in the opening ten minutes of the half. Their solitary try came directly from a simple Cambridge error, the ball offered on a plate to "Tyne" and Jack Harrison kicked through, gathered and scored his second. This shorter purple patch Number 2, was just long enough to deliver the decisive knock out blow. That Cambridge seemed not to be trying for a 4 try bonus has to be of greater concern to our coaching team. Easy turnover ball robbed Cambridge of scarce possession, I counted 15 for the match, constant reminders of the old adage " you cannot score without the ball". It seemed to be desperate over sophistication - a familiar viral infection in such dire circumstances. At least 30 minutes was without points for either side, credit to both defences in what were still ideal scoring conditions. Tynedale had lost two very influential players, Gregory Irvine their 19 stone No 8 and talented Rob Miller at full back. Both teams completed their full allocation of tactical replacements. For Cambridge, Rob Hurrell's stature was evident more and more. Young Ben Cooper impressed and will develop into a talented prop with his coming of age on the 23rd of this month. Props invariably show early promise learn their trade only by 30 and come into their own by 35. At least that used to be the case. Whatever, Ben is someone to watch out for longer term.

Tynedale closed the match with a 76th minute penalty, allowing their fans to express their appreciation for one final positive. There had been 17 penalties awarded, nothing exceptional in that, except that Tynedale kicked 3 out of a 4, from 9 in total. Cambridge managed 1 out of 2, from 8. More emphatic was the evidence that the Cambridge defence, in heavy conditions underfoot, was vulnerable to lighter, more nimble players, intent upon accuracy and application in every quarter of the game. Tynedale fully deserved their win and retention of their home win record. They considered their opening half to be their best of the season. Their win is our worst defeat in margin terms since promotion to National League 2. It is not without its learning points and improvement will be the order of the day. Tynedale however showed that a complex game can be simplified by combining talented young footballers with effective coaching at a modest cost to the club. As an outfit, "Tyne" are impressive, well organised (thanks John Shotton and Tom Branald in particular), and will stay put in this league without having to spend anything more than they can earn by right. A role model for many and an object lesson for us all.

Mal Schofield
 

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