Newcastle continues their excellent Premier North 1st Division form against Northumbria, with victories in the home and away fixtures last season. This result makes it two on the bounce for Newcastle, coming off the back of a hard-fought 38-37 away-day victory against Nottingham Trent.
A tense atmosphere filled the air in the lead-up to the game, with the open bar and the free pint that came with the £5 ticket, unsurprisingly, being taken full advantage of by those in attendance. Both went a long way to fuelling both the noise and the nerves of an already on-edge crowd. Noise didn’t just come from inside the ground, however, as those who couldn’t get tickets cheered on from the car park as well.
The ‘Big Clash’ is more than just a fixture to those here tonight; it’s a tradition rooted in local rivalry and pride. On any other day, students and players alike, from both universities, pass one another on their way to lectures at their respective campuses without a second thought, or rub shoulder to shoulders on a night out, but that all changes in the build-up to an occasion like this.
It was Northumbria who kicked the match off, and it was also they who broke the deadlock, quickly winning the ball back and scoring just two minutes into the match through their own number two, Matty Sugars, as well as scoring the conversion.
Newcastle responded quickly with a try of their own in the 8th minute through number 14, Will Brock, with the conversion successful as well, tying the match at 7–7. Ten minutes later, they went on to score again, with quick thinking from captain Fergus Wood, who scooped the ball up off the turf following a ruck and ran 40 metres to score. The windy conditions were apparent, however, with number 10 Junior Newton's conversion going wide and ultimately keeping the score at 12–7.
It was in the 30th minute that Newcastle extended their lead to ten points through a 5-metre lineout-turned-maul, which was smuggled over the line. Newton, hoping to change his luck following his last conversion miss, opted to attempt a drop kick as opposed to the traditional kicking tee, but to no avail, as this too went wide.
Newcastle then made it three tries in a row with what was easily the best try of the night. An audacious kick sailed over Northumbria’s defensive line, with Newcastle players in hot pursuit. As Northumbria’s number 12, Chris Thomson, steadied himself to catch the ball off the bounce, he misjudged it and it went over his head, allowing winger Tobias Spencer, who was leading the pursuit, to collect the ball on its way down and sprint 50 metres to score. In another attempt to change his luck, Newton tried his third kicking technique of the night - this time having a teammate lie down and hold the ball upright with a finger on top, in what can best be described as an 'NFL-style' conversion. It paid off however, as he slotted it through to send Newcastle up 24–7 at the half.
Newcastle then made it three tries in a row with what was easily the best try of the night.
As the fans emerged from the bar after the break, Newcastle kicked us off for the second half. However, the second half started no better than the first for the home side, as it was once more Northumbria who opened the scoring - this time four minutes in. A penalty, 5 metres from Newcastle’s try line, was taken full advantage of by Northumbria’s number 8, Yaree Fantini, who managed to sneak the ball over the line following a tap-and-go.
Eight minutes in, a line break 20 metres out from the try line nearly resulted in a Newcastle try, but despite getting over the line, they were held up. Just two minutes later, Newcastle suffered the same fate, as a 5-metre tap-and-go was also held up.
The 16th minute produced one of the standout moments of the game. A Northumbria lineout, 30 metres from Newcastle’s try line, was overthrown, and it was front-row substitute Cole Cartmell who was waiting for it at the back. After catching it, Cartmell ran 50 metres before being brought down by multiple opposition players. A quick ruck followed, and his efforts were rewarded as they secured both the try and the conversion, making it 31–14.
Five minutes later, Northumbria cancelled out the try; however, as a 5-metre ruck turned into two straight minutes of relentless pressure, eventually resulting in a try which they duly converted.
The 28th minute brought déjà vu for Northumbria, who overthrew another lineout 20 metres from Newcastle’s try line, and it was none other than Cartmell who was there to catch it once more. However, the excitement of seeing another run was quickly faltered as after running 10 metres, he elected to punt it forward - another sight you don’t often see from front-row players.
We can only assume that Jesmond’s Bar Blanc had an incredible night of business following this victory, for as the game came to its final moments, there were murmurs of plans being made between those in attendance, plans which I’m sure the victory helped set in stone.
We can only assume that Jesmond’s Bar Blanc had an incredible night of business following this victory...
Despite the fierce rivalry, there was a touch of class at full-time, as both sides formed a guard of honour, applauding one another off the field. Following this, the Newcastle players raced over to the home fans in attendance, embracing and celebrating with them.
The Man of the Match award, deservedly, went to captain Fergus Wood, who gave Newcastle the initial lead on the night and delivered a standout performance from start to finish. With gameweek 2 complete, Newcastle moves to 2nd in the Men’s Premier North table, tied with leaders Edinburgh - however behind on point difference. Newcastle next travel away from home to play Manchester Met, who Northumbria beat last week, where they’ll be hoping to continue their good run of form in their venture to secure yet another league title.