A DISPLAY of fine tackling and attacking intent in the final 20 minutes saw Corbridge Centurions to the Northumberland County Plate.

With just seven points between them and final opponents Northern Wanderers, Corbridge frustrated their rivals to hang on and record the slender victory.

Both teams were evenly matched during the entertaining final. and the outcome of the game in doubt right until the final whistle.

Corbridge had to battle hard in the loose against their bigger opponents, with hooker Adam Binks and flankers Charlie Harvey and Andy McGrath tackling well and frequently turning over possession.

Half backs Andy Harvey and Colin Murphy were alert as they ran at every opportunity, and the risky, but entertaining, policy paid off when they were awarded a penalty when Jake Sloan was illegally prevented from scoring. Adam Todhunter slotted over the kick.

Northern replied with a penalty of their own, but Corbridge steamed ahead through two tries midway through the first half. Firstly, good driving play by Scott Kelly and Nathan Washington saw the ball moved quickly to Todhunter, who spotted a narrow gap and burst through to score from 30 metres.

Then, after good work from Matt Robinson, Edd Cawthorn, Chris Nichols and Murphy, the ball was popped out to second row Ben Blackburn to go over. Corbridge needed to readjust when Sloan groggily left the field following a brave tackle, but Northern took advantage as they ran in a try.

With veteran forward Dave Nicholls replacing Sloan, there was further disruption when Charlie Harvey had to leave at half time to leave Corbridge a man short until Stu Johnson, fresh from the lambing sheds, made up the numbers.

By that point, Corbridge were trailing as an interception try and a penalty put Northern’s noses in front at 16-13. The game was finely balanced with both teams creating scoring opportunities, particularly Corbridge’s Ahmed Ahmed who ran well but held up short on two occasions.

In the final quarter, the Corbridge pack seemed to get the upper hand and Todhunter gave them a great chance of regaining the lead when he beautifully placed a penalty from half way onto the five-metre line. The catch and dive was halted, but Cawthorn was able to pick up and drive over for a well-deserved try.

It was fitting the backs engineered the final try as the ball was switched quickly to the let wing for Robbie Nixon to burst through untouched from 20 metres to score a brilliant try out wide.