The hosts were quick out of the gate, scoring two early tries through Ben Simpson and Dan Baines to take a 10-0 lead after ten minutes of play.
Northumbria grew into the game, however, strengthening defensively and enjoying some short spells of possession. They flirted with the try line, piling on pressure in the Newcastle 22 and even knocking the ball on in the in-goal.
They managed to get it over the line only a couple of minutes later, as center Freddy Clark scored a brilliant solo try, receiving the ball from the lineout and breaking a handful of tackles to put Northumbria’s first points on the board after 35 minutes of play.
A straightforward conversion took the score to 10-7, but Northumbria’s joy was short lived as handbags came out shortly before the halfway mark, resulting in a yellow card for lock Tom Handy. The man advantage provided Newcastle the opportunity to put a handful of nails in the Northumbria coffin, an opportunity which they grabbed with both hands, bagging a pair of tries on either side of the halftime break as Handy cooled off in the sin bin.
From here, Newcastle ran away with the game
From here, Newcastle ran away with the game, employing some creative kicking and strong running to put the game to bed, finishing with two tries from Travis Gideon and Harrison Stiles.
“We knew they were a good side,” said Northumbria Head Coach Jon Benson after the game. “I think defensively we were a little bit light… and in attack we were just a little bit flat and didn’t move the ball into space enough,” effectively summing up a disappointing evening for the visitors.
Newcastle coach Nathan Harrap was in a slightly better mood at full time.
“Generally, we were really happy with it, the physicality was really pleasing to see. We kept to the script. All is well for next year, and long may it continue.”
Assistant coach Alex Hayle perhaps said it best, stating that he was “Absolutely buzzing for the lads. They boys put everything out there and couldn’t have worked harder for each other so I’m over the moon.”