A SCINTILATING first half against third placed Leicester Lions saw Tynedale avoid relegation in style.

Going into the season finale knowing that victory would see them remain in National League Two (North), their four tries in the opening half saw them upset the odds as they inflicted just a second home defeat of the season on the high flying Lions.

The excellent kicking from fly half Rob Parker proved pivotal on the day, his extras helping his team notch up big points as Leicester produced a great comeback in the second half.

Tynedale took a 31-5 lead into the half time break after some brilliant rugby, and they held on to secure their status in the division despite being run close as the home side finished within eight points.

The final whistle was met with jubilation by a reinvigorated Tynedale side which has battled hard throughout a season of turbulence.

Following last season’s relegation, their first in their history, they lost key members in long time coach Tom Borthwick and influential director of rugby John Shotton, forcing a reshuffle in committee.

Former Newcastle Falcon Andy Buist didn’t last long in the managerial hot seat, and was replaced by current Falcon Scott Lawson at the beginning of 2016.

His arrival coincided with one of Tynedale’s darkest days, the team unable to play any remaining home fixtures at their Corbridge base after the storm waters of early December destroyed the clubhouse and resulted in a temporary move to Kingston Park.

The vital victory over Leicester was an emotionally-charged one to finish a big season.

Club president Mike Fieldhouse said: “Following the change of coaching team at the beginning of the season, the inevitable loss of personnel after the previous years relegation from National One and the hiatus following the flood in December 2015, there has to be an immense amount of credit given to the players and coaches in their dedication to the cause this year.

“In our last game, the squad of 20 contained 12 who had previously played for the youth section at Tynedale, while most clubs in this league have barely a handful.

“This top performance to finish the season has been coming and I am very pleased for them all to be able to end the season on a high.

“I look forward immensely to the challenges of next season and the rebuilding of the club, and I would like to thank all supporters, sponsors and members for their continued support.”

Tyne headed to Leicester in good spirits and took the lead after just three minutes when Parker got the scoreboard ticking with a successful penalty.

But they knew they had a big challenge on their hands when the Lions roared straight back from the kick off, winning a penalty and kicking for touch. They won the line-out and moved the ball across field, where Devon Constant finished off the move with a try wide out.

Yet the half belonged to Tynedale as they attacked at will, their first try coming from Nick Cairns who marked his final game for his local club ahead of relocating, funnily enough, to Leicester for work.

Lions couldn’t keep their guests out and the tries kept on coming, Ash Smith, Graeme Dunn and Dan Marshall all crossing as the away side picked up a bonus point for four tries before the half time whistle.

Crucially, Parker’s efforts from the kicking tee were on point throughout the encounter and his four conversions pushed Tynedale into a commanding 26 point lead as the teams turned around.

The half wasn’t as straight forward as the scoreline suggested as Tyne had to work very hard for their points, the home side’s pedigree evident by a complete reversal of fortunes after the break.

They’re not in third spot for nothing and they were back on the scoresheet from the kick off, Cairns conceding a penalty which resulted in Constant getting his second of the afternoon following the touch kick. Hargreaves converted to take the score to 31-12 in Tynedale’s favour.

Just six minutes later, Hargreaves converted another try as No. 8 Oliver Povoas touched down to reduce the gap to 12 points.

Tynedale were starting to look nervously over the shoulder especially as Leicester won a line-out five metres out, only for a forward drive to be stoically repelled through a stolen ball and subsequent clearance into touch.

Yet it was Tynedale’s constant thorn in the side Constant who brought the score back to within a converted try, completing his hat-trick with Hargreave’s missed conversion keeping Tyne 31-24 ahead.

With Lions looking strong, a penalty from Parker extended the lead to 10 points which helped crank the pressure on their hosts.

While that gap was reduced by five through George Nairn’s unconverted try, Tynedale decided attack was the best means of defence.

And they were rewarded in the final action of the game as they denied Leicester a second losing bonus point as Parker’s penalty took them 37-29 clear.

If the bus journey south ahead of the game was a happy one, the return to the North-East was even more spectacular with the party well and truly started on four wheels.