Winlaton Vulcans RFC

Sat 13th Oct Winlaton 2ND XV 5pts Consett 3rd XV 11pts

Winlaton were once again forced to field an inexperienced side against what looked a physically bigger side. Winlaton fielded two 18yr old debutants in Dan Walker, on the wing and Ash Merritt at prop. From the kick-off Consett took the initiative putting the home team under pressure and forcing them to concede an easy penalty which they converted. Winlaton made a positive response and with Andy Robinson leading the way, ably supported by Aaron Gowling and Barry Morns and with Chris Wilcox’s astute kicking Consett were held in their own half. After a long period of forward pressure from the home forwards they gained an easy penalty but without a recognised kicker the chance was spurned. Totally against the run of play Winlaton lost the scrum and a resulting kick forward ended with a Consett try. When Winlaton again lost the ball against the head Consett took full advantage by going 11pts ahead with a fine drop goal.
HT 0 – 11

The second-half started with Consett kicking down the slope. However it was the home side who took the initiative. Dan Walker showed skill and determination, fielding a number of high kicks and also putting in some solid defensive tackles. Ash Merritt the other debutant was also holding his own in the scrums. Barry Morns and Andy Robinson kept Winlaton going forward. From a line-out Lee Dixon drove forward and assisted by Les Cash, Mickey Wharton and Alex Tulip all went over the line together, each one of them claiming the try.
Lee Dixon became involved in handbags with an opponent and both went to the sin-bin. Winlaton continued to press but were guilty of wasting chances.
FT 5 – 11 MoM Ash Merritt

Sat 20th Oct B. Auckland 2nd XV 12pts Winlaton 2nd XV 39pts

We arrived at the ground, over an hour before kick off, to find the whole of the opposition out on the pitch warming up and practicing moves, without the obligatory dropped ball. The team is young, inexperienced and some are still not on first name terms. That well known octogenarian, Paul Burr, complete with CRB check, was drafted in to raise the average age. Despite my concerns, at their proficiency when warming up, the game was the exact opposite. From the off the forwards bossed the set scrums and the loose play

only struggling with the line outs. The backs ran well, supported each other and tackled anything that moved. After only 5 mins, following some great forward driving, the ball was quickly spun out for Graham Murdie to dive over. The play remained largely in the home team’s half and following another forward drive, David Middleton scored. Unfortunately Mickey Wharton missed his second conversion attempt. Barely one minute later the home team ran the ball from a line out and for the first time Winlaton relaxed, lost concentration and paid the penalty for some sloppy tackles. Bishop’s rubbed it in with an excellent conversion to make the score 7-10. After this business as usual was restored on 38 minutes after more excellent forward work Mickey Wharton scored and then added the conversion.
HT 7 – 17

From the start of the second half, Winlaton resumed the combination of forwards driving as a unit and the backs running whenever they had a chance. Six minutes after the restart MoM Sam McArdle picked up the ball to dart over. It was the 65 min. before Dave Middleton surged through the home defence to score. Both Mickey Wharton and then Paul Burr failed with their conversion attempts. Unfortunately Winlaton sowed the seeds of the home team’s score, by not remembering to keep it simple in their own half and clear their lines. Several players attempted to run out of defence, the ball ran loose and the home team won the race to score. At least that was the end of the silly period. Normal service was restored for Aaron Gowling to surge over on 72 mins, Paul Burr missed again. With only two minutes left David Scott peeled off the back of a maul to score under the posts. After a brief exchange of words Paul Burr claimed the ball and converted the easiest attempt of the afternoon.
.FT 12 – 39 MoM Sam McArdle