TYNEDALE First XV have been left twiddling their thumbs for more than a month after their last two scheduled games were cancelled because of the Tynedale Park pitch being frozen.
And the festive break means they don’t return to action until January 7, when they travel down to Yorkshire to take on Sheffield Tigers. They don’t return to Tynedale Park until January 14, when Rotherham Titans are the visitors.
They were due to take on Hull Ionians at Corbridge on December 10 to round off the first half of the National League Division Two North and then entertain Blaydon on December 17, but both fell victim to Jack Frost.
The pre-Christmas Blaydon derby is always one of the social highlights of the year, and despite the absence of action on the pitch, it was decided to go ahead with the pre-match lunch, which attracted some 50 guests who enjoyed a splendid meal and great company.
The Hull Ionians game has been rescheduled for February 4 and the Blaydon game for the following Saturday, February 11, both kicking off at 2pm.
With half the season gone all but one game, Tynedale lie seventh in the table, winning six and drawing six of their 12 matches so far.
They started the season well, winning all their first three matches to lie third in the table, but they have struggled for consistency since then, despite some excellent individual performances.
New skipper Chris Wearmouth had big boots to full when he took over the captaincy from the long serving Matty Outson, but the big lock has led by example, and is the club’s leading try scorer so far this season, with six touchdowns, usually from driving mauls.
Not far behind is the latest addition to the Tynedale Park top hooker production line, shiny-pated submariner Louis Frankland, whose line out throwing has been immaculate and who has crossed the whitewash four times.
There have also been some good performances from unsung heroes like Angus White, Ben Haigh and Oscar Caudle in the front row and back rowers Ben Bell, Ben Blackburn and Graeme Dunn.
Pick of the backs has been the exciting full-back Rob Parker, with four tries, including a hat-trick against Sheffield Tigers.
While not sending the scoreboard spinning, there have also been good consistent performances from wingers Adam Todhunter and Seamus Hutton, along with Will Roue and Rory Cramb in the centre, but the pace and power of the injured Will Miller has been missed.
James Telford has settled in well at scrum half, at first partnering Jake Rodgers at fly half, before Josh Leslie broke through, only to be injured after only a couple of games in the number 10 shirt.
It has also been encouraging to see players coming through from Tynedale’s second string, the Raiders, with the likes of Mickey Hall and Jacob Brown making their marks.
Head coach Ben Woods said: "There have also been some fine team performances by our Raiders side which has been pleasing to see and vital for us at 1st team level.
"It pushes the group to keep improving and it helps provide a pathway into the 1st XV. We have seen numerous players progress into the 1st XV already this season from the Raiders and I expect we will see more before the end of the season.
"The work Peter Southern and Ben Archer do in terms of putting sides together each week shouldn't be underestimated and is a huge part of what goes on in the senior section."
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