Durham and Northumberland Division 2, Gateshead RFUC 0 Guisborough 35

SWITCHING to their second pitch, Guisborough’s game against Gateshead was given the go ahead and thus beat the hard frost.

Gateshead kicked off and were soon on the offensive, creeping up to within five metres of the Guisborough try-line where they were awarded a scrum. Any chance of an early score to the opposition was thwarted by a strong tackle by Matt Rawlinson, before a brace of penalties took the hosts into the opposition half.

Once inside their opponents’ territory, a break by Phil Shields through the midfield set up a scoring opportunity. Michael MacDougall took play forward, before recycled ball was shipped left to Jack Robinson. The centre broke through the visitors’ defensive line to touch down under the posts for the first score of the game.

However, Gateshead were dealt a blow when the referee spotted an infringement on the halfway line, and a yellow card reduced the visitors to 14 players for ten minutes. Capitalising immediately, Guisborough kicked the resulting penalty to within five metres of the Gateshead whitewash. A catch and drive from the set piece took play up to the try-line. Although halted, MacDougall broke through the ruck and scored without being challenged.

Soon after, Shields launched another attack along the left wing and into the opposition 22. MacDougall made ground in midfield where he then popped a pass to the supporting Rob Leggott. The second row accelerated away and touched down under the posts.

Towards the end of the first period, Gateshead tested the home team defence. A chip over Guisborough’s backline saw the ball bobbling close to the hosts’ try-line. Shields won the race to the ball and immediate danger was cleared, but a penalty awarded to the visitors kept play inside the Guisborough 22. From a line-out Gateshead attacked along the left wing, but a thumping tackle by Lewis Robson drove his opponent back five metres. At half time the scoreboard read Guisborough 21, Gateshead 0.

Gateshead were on the attack as the second half commenced. The problem they had was penetrating a solid defensive unit, as Ben Buckworth put in a couple of huge hits. Although they had ball in hand, the visitors were finding themselves retreating as they were knocked back in the tackle.

When Guisborough gained possession they made it count. From a scrum near the halfway line, Robinson broke right and passed to Shields. The full-back chipped over the Gateshead backs and accelerated onto the ball, picking up and diving over for the bonus point score.

The visitors were making a game of it and continued in their attempts to trouble the scoreboard, but another rib-tickling tackle by Leggott stopped their advances. The game was stopped so the player could receive treatment.

Guisborough had the final say on the game. As Gateshead attempted to run the ball from their own half, Robinson pounced on loose ball. Moving forward, he linked up with Robson and, from five metres out, a pass to Henry Turner saw the young centre sprint over to claim his team’s fifth try. There was sufficient time for Robinson to be shown a yellow card after he failed to move clear from a ruck, before the referee blew for full-time with the scoreboard reading Guisborough 35, Gateshead 0. Robson, on kicking duty, was successful with all five conversions.

Tomorrow Guisborough play North Shields away, kick-off 2pm.