TYNEDALE Raiders booked their place in the second round of the Northumberland Senior Cup after a comprehensive victory over Berwick.

In a scrappy affair due to rustiness as both teams returned to action, it was the visitors from Corbridge who powered through to clear the first hurdle.

Both sides struggled to find any real rhythm in the first half but hosts Berwick got their noses in front courtesy of a penalty, only for a pen right in front of the posts from Rory Dixon to level the scores.

It was an even affair as the action swung from end-to-end, and it took a great run from Dan Rundle to get the scoreboard ticking again with his try successfully converted by Dixon.

Tynedale forged even further ahead as Jack Outson went over in the far corner, cancelling out Berwick’s earlier try as the teams turned around with the away side leading 15-8.

While Berwick’s narrow pitch was prohibiting Tynedale playing their open style of rugby, they faced another obstacle in the second half as the heavens opened and the heavy rain disrupted play completely.

The game became even scrappier but chances were created by both sides, yet Berwick’s failure to capitalise on good positions were punished by the Raiders.

Jonny Mock and Jamie Dixon both touched down, another conversion from Rory Dixon taking the final score to 27-8.

Coaches Rob Sedgwick and Ian Dodds were pleased with the performance of the team, with the youngsters asked to step up to the plate impressing throughout.

Brothers Joe and Will Richards, and Matthew Robinson, all played for the club’s U18 Colts side last year, while current Colt Ewan Morrell impressed in his first senior run-out too.

Dodds said: “The scoreline was a reasonable reflection of the game as we took our chances, and they didn’t really. The young Colts came in and did themselves proud.”