TYNEDALE Colts endured the long, hot journey to Sheffield on Sunday to get through to the final of the National Colts Cup.

As the players climbed off the bus at the ground, the thermometer was showing 27°C and this may have contributed to their sluggish start to the game.

An early exchange of penalties kept the score at 3-3, but Sheffield looked more dangerous and deservedly took the lead with a converted try to make it 10-3.

Tynedale were struggling to get into the game, and had to work hard to keep the home team from scoring again.

But then, slightly against the run of play, the Colts managed a try of their own before half-time to make it 10-10 at the break.

Both teams spent half-time in the shade of trees at the side of the pitch, but it was Sheffield who again started strongest and scored another converted try to lead 17-10.

Tyne were searching for continuity in their game and eventually the forwards began to control the ball for longer periods and stress the opposition defence.

This effort was rewarded with a converted try to level the scores at 17-17.

In the last 15 minutes the heat and the increasingly confident play from Tynedale seemed to have an effect on Sheffield.

Three converted tries, including one from a very fortunate bounce of the ball leading to a run-in under the posts, meant that the score finished 17-38 in Tynedale’s favour in a match that was close throughout and physically draining for both sides.

Tynedale will play Maidenhead in the final of the National Colts Cup at Sixways, home of Premiership side Worcester Warriors, on Saturday, May 19.

The successful Colts squad on Sunday was: Jeff Weallans, Olly Murrell, Lewis Spark, Joe Hanning, James Sample, Jack Klein, Sam Collins, Charlie Richards, Finn McKendrick, Cam Grant, Sean Abrams, Will Roberts, Tom Robson, Will Volpe, Alex Dryden, Oscar Caudle, James Doody, Euan Daniels, Des Weich and Ben Robson.