WHAT a day it was for the Spencer family at a chilly Corbridge on Saturday.

For not only did debutant full back James Spencer score a brace of tries, including the one that ensured maximum points for Tynedale, but his mam won the half time 50:50 draw!

It was also a great day for centre Ash Smith, who was successful with six out of seven kicks from the tee – and the seventh hit the post.

Games between Tynedale and Sedgley Tigers are always nip and tuck affairs, and it wasn’t until the last few minutes that Tynedale managed to stretch away for a deserved victory, which was achieved despite the absence of regular star performers Jamie Blamire at hooker and Oli Walker on the wing.

There was yet another solid performance from number eight Scott Powell, the rock on whom most of Tynedale’s successes are built, and his ability to smuggle the ball away from an often retreating scrum is a joy to behold.

There was some superb tackling, notably by skipper Matty Outson, and his fellow back rower Stuart Johnson was having a cracking game until taken out by a head high tackle from Tigers prop Ben Black which might have merited more than the yellow card shown.

Tynedale made something of a shaky start when after four minutes a kick which failed to find touch was run back with interest, leading to a five metre line out, but Tynedale drove their way out of trouble.

The Tigers came again, but a crunching tackle by the shiny-pated Johnson saved the day yet again.

After resisting the early pressure, Tynedale took the lead on 10 minutes when Tigers failed top roll away from a tackle and Smith slotted the 20 metre penalty,

Tynedale’s lead lasted just two minutes, which is how long it took for the Tigers’ pocket rocket fly half Steve Collins to land a penalty of his own, from twice the distance.

Back came Tynedale, and on 15 minutes hooker Louis Frankland celebrated his return to the side by finishing off a classic catch and drive from a line out, Smith adding the extras.,

The scores were level again on 22 minutes, when Tynedale lost their own line out, and quick hands by giant lock Shaun Needham sent winger Richard Lepori in for the converted try. Yet again Tynedale roared straight back onto the attack, and there was Spencer streaking in at the corner for a fine try, followed by an even better conversion from the touchline by Smith for 17-10.

Tynedale’s tackling had been exemplary throughout the game, but the elusive Collins found a gap to wriggle through on 35 minutes to go in under the posts for a try he converted himself.

Then came the yellow card for Black’s assault on Johnson, which came when Jonny Mock was also laid out after bouncing off the huge Needham and was unable to continue. Smith’s penalty gave Tynedale a slim 20-17 interval lead.

Tynedale went behind for the first time five minutes into the second half, when Tigers’ South African number eight Juan Crous seemed to be the only person to spot the ball lying on the ground after a tackle, and loped through to score under the posts for Collins to convert for 20-24. Tynedale regrouped, and from another line-out catch and drive, replacement hooker Dan Lowdon was driven over to put Tynedale back in front.

Smith’s tricky conversion attempt came back off the post, leaving Tynedale just one point to the good.

However, nerves were steadied when Smith drilled over a 71st minute penalty, before Spencer saluted the bonus point try with three minutes left, Smith again converting from wide out.

Tynedale hope to continue their remarkable away form at Chester tomorrow, when they look for their fifth successive away day triumph.

The reverse fixture in October produced a narrow 33-27 defeat for Tynedale.

Meanwhile, Tynedale Raiders maintained their excellent form as they thumped Novocastrians 66-0 in the Northumberland Candy League.

A trip to Darlington Mowden Park II in the Northern Second Team League is next up for the Raiders.