IN temperatures nudging 20C, Tynedale stormed to their fifth win in a row after a ding-dong battle with South Leicester.

But the unseasonal spring sunshine almost proved Tynedale’s undoing, as it apparently dazzled the two touch judges as a South Leicester conversion attempt sailed towards the posts.

The visitors had clawed their way back from a 24-10 half time deficit to get within a point of Tynedale, and the conversion would have given them the lead.

There was an audible sigh of relief from the packed stand as the ball went the wrong side of the post - but that turned into a concerted howl of outrage as both touch judges’ flags were raised aloft to indicate the kick had been successful.

In fairness, the sun was doubtless in the officials’ eyes, but the celestial orb also made it plain to those in the stand immediately behind kicker Rickie Aley the ball had gone the wrong side of the post, as its shadow was cast on the upright.

The error put South Leicester ahead for the first time and, had things stayed that way, there could have been ructions, but a late try from replacement Ash Smith ensured justice was done.

The kick controversy rather took the edge off a cracking game, with both sides prepared to run the ball. Nobody did it better than Tynedale winger Oli Walker, who ran in a first half hat-trick, as well as putting in some superb tackles.

There was another majestic performance from number eight Scott Powell, sweeping up brilliantly behind an often retreating scrum, and, when he came on as a late replacement, England U20 hooker Jamie Blamire looked dangerous every time he got the ball.

Jack Harrison reclaimed his rightful place in the first team after his exile to the seconds, but regular kicker Smith started on the bench.

The bright sunshine encouraged both sides to throw the ball about, and the sense of adventure led to skipper Matty Outson eschewing a simple penalty kick for goal on the edge of the 22 in favour of a tap and punt forward for the corner, where Walker zoomed in to open the scoring on 11 minutes.

Rob Parker’s conversion attempt was close, but not close enough.

Aley got South off the mark with a penalty on 15 minutes, but Tynedale were soon over for their second try when, from a line-out, a great pass from Harrison sent flanker Ben Bell in for the try, which was improved by Parker to make it 12-3 on 17 minutes.

Straight from the restart, Aley whipped out a fine cross kick which beat the Tynedale defence, and winger Blane Howe was in for a try which Aley converted. More champagne rugby from Tynedale saw the ball go through many pairs of hands before Walker crossed under the posts for his second try on the half hour, which Parker’s converted.

An Aley penalty came back off the post on 34 minutes, before Tynedale appeared to have the game wrapped up when Walker won the race to touch down a grubber kick, making the half time score 24-10. Tynedale went to sleep at the start of the second half, when a missed tackle saw South number eight Gareth Turner rumble through to touch down unchallenged from the kick off.

An Aley penalty made it 24-18 with 51 minutes gone, and more missed tackles allowed centre Calum Gunn to touch down on the right to reduce the gap to a single point with 55 minutes gone.

The conversion that never was put the visitors in front, and the Tynedale faithful endured some painful minutes before a fine break and well-judged pass by Outson saw Smith dart in for Tynedale’s fifth try. The kick failed, but Tynedale had done enough to consolidate their sixth place in the table.