Published at 09:47, Friday, 19 February 2010

The Arnold Clark sponsored Tynedale U15s rugby team have returned from their 2010 rugby tour with the magnificent achievement of winning all three of their matches on their trip to London.

First up were the very much in form and fancied team from Esher – whose first team were coincidentally taking on Tynedale first team the same day.

The boys from Tynedale completely dominated play and ran out eventual winners by 41-10.

On Sunday the team travelled to Weybridge to take on probably Esher's biggest rivals in the county of Surrey in the shape of Weybridge Vandals. Once again the boys from the Tyne Valley proved too strong in all departments and raced into a half time lead of 28-0.

With the opposition totally demoralised, their head coach paid Tynedale the ultimate compliment and asked if Tynedale would withdraw certain players to make the game more even,

Tynedale obliged, and soon after the restart Weybridge ran in two tries and looked as though they were enjoying the game once again.

Tynedale were in no mood to give them any more leeway and once again dug in deep to deny them any more scoring opportunities and ran out winners by 33-12.

Monday saw the team checking out of their hotel at 9.30 and heading off, with all their luggage in tow (not an easy feat on public transport), to Ealing for one last game.

By now the lack of sleep (four hours in the last three days in some cases) and the odd tummy bug here and there, the boys looked pretty much all in.

Arriving at Ealing everyone in the party was very impressed by the magnificent facilities, beautifully manicured pitches, squirrels scampering around the periphery and changing rooms so spotlessly clean you could eat your dinner off the floor.

Ealing got the game under way and soon had Tynedale on the back foot with an early converted try.

Tynedale bounced back to level the scores, only to find themselves behind once again to a try by the Esher right winger, who was a handful. It began to look as if this was a game too far for the tired limbs and sleepy eyes of Tynedale.

No chance – these boys came to win and that they did in fine style going in at half time 19-12 up.

The second half Tynedale stepped up another gear and blew away the opposition with both forwards and backs getting on to the score sheet and winning the game by 44-12.

After a quick shower and change they proceeded to an impressive dining area where they were entertained by some exceedingly friendly hosts and served food that could only be described as fantastic.

Apart from minor injuries and illnesses, every player on tour got good game time in every match and should be immensely proud of their achievements.

Try scorers were Sloan, Jordon, Castelow, Main, Hillary, Chard, Armstrong and Barnett, with conversions and penalties by Chard, Castelow and Oliver.

Man of the match awards were shared by Sloan and Jordon.

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