By DAVID COULTER

Published at 15:15, Thursday, 25 October 2012

Alnwick U16 15Tynedale U16 19

TYNEDALE U16 came of age with a thrilling win against an experienced Alnwick side boasting several county players and an England development squad member.

The blue and whites surged ahead from the start, scoring 12 points in 10 minutes on Alnwick’s home turf.

The first came from a blind side break from fly-half Robbie Forbes who jinked and stepped his way to score in the corner, minutes before Greg Ayres scored following a blistering run down the right wing.

Alnwick were rocked back by the force of Tynedale’s opening gambit but rallied with tight and disciplined play, scoring the next three tries.

Tynedale’s forwards responded with determined strength, excellent tackling and ball carries from the whole pack. Rees Loughhead, Sam Watchorn and Luke Phillips all stood out for their energy and commitment.

Throughout much of the second half, Tynedale defended their line heroically and waves of Alnwick attacks were consistently repelled by centres Rory Cramb and Kieran Moore.

Ten minutes from time Robbie Forbes made a 70-metre break from Tynedale’s 22 and executed a perfect offload to send Ayres under the posts again.

His superb support work and Forbes’s conversion gave Tynedale the win they have been seeking for more than two seasons.

U16 head coach Mike Watchorn said; “This was the most complete team effort I have seen us make, and each and everyone of the lads gave as much effort as they could.

“This is a defining moment for a team who have taken some heavy defeats along the way. It’s a major breakthrough for us and I’m sure it is the shape of things to come.”

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk