Winlaton Vulcans RFC

Winlaton welcomed STC to Axwell View with neither club having a 1st XV fixture both clubs were able to field a strong line-up. Winlaton were able to welcome back 2nd team Captain Kevin Scott who has spent most of the season with the 1st XV, but the remainder of the side remained the same from the previous week against Newton Aycliffe.

STC had experienced travel problems while travelling from South Shields so the game kicked off 15 minutes late. Conditions were dire, a strong wind was accompanied by sleet and snow, however there were still the usual hardy band of supporters braving the conditions to cheer on the home side.

The game was very entertaining given the conditions, Winlaton dominated
all the early play and should have gone ahead when a catch and drive was in progress hooker Sam McArdle was driven over the line to ground the ball but the referee was unsighted and deemed it held up.

However the referee was perfectly placed 10 minutes later when a kick by Wilcox into the corner was chased down by 3 home players, the visiting full back under pressure could only kick it into touch. Another catch and drive and this time there was no mistake with Fleming touching down. 5-0

Again Winlaton marched up the pitch, from a home scrum the ball was fed to the back line, an excellent break by centre David Scott was recycled quickly and a dart down the blindside by flanker Hendry was fed inside to Harrison who had no problem crashing over for the score. This time the conversion was successful taking the half time score to 12-0.

With the hill now in their favour the home side were expecting to rack up some points against a side that had defended well and were competitive in the early phases but were unable to mount any serious scoring chances of their own.

The score was extended 5 minutes into the 2nd half when some fine running rugby took the home side from their own 10 metre line to within 20 metres of the visiting line. Again the ball was recycled quickly and went through quick hands down the blindside for wing Mark Lynn to crash over even though he was tackled by two defenders.

The home side now had the bit between their teeth and another series of bruising drives produced a score for Loosehead Prop Ash Merritt, the youngster is having a wonderful season and nobody was going to stop him from close range.

Unfortunately in scoring the try one of the defenders sustained a nasty knee injury, an ambulance was called and with the conditions being so poor and the game very one-sided the captains and referee decided to end the game 15 minutes into the second half.

The second string had put in a good performance in very testing conditions, a good win against an experienced side from STC will stand this young Winlaton side in good stead.

Team ; 1. A Merritt 2. S McArdle, 3. A Tulip 4. C Coates 5. I Fleming 6. G Hendry 7. D Hunter 8 . K Scott 9. M Wharton 10. C Wilcox 11. M Lee 12. D Scott 13. B Peters-Jones 14. M Lynn 15. G Murdie