SENDING over a penalty in the dying minutes, Dan Taylor kicked Tynedale to a narrow victory in a ding-dong battle with in-form South Leicester.

In a game which swung like a festive carillon, Tynedale edged to their second successive away win, which took them up to ninth in the National Division Two (North) table.

It was certainly no Christmas treat on a cold and cheerless day, as both sides tried to outdo each other with their festive generosity, dishing out dropped balls, over-ambitious passes and careless offsides with reckless abandon.

Tynedale though generally had the edge, the pack playing well as a unit. Lock Harry Snowden dominated the line-out, and Tynedale scrummaged well without any real dominance.

There were some defensive lapses but they were largely cancelled out by some excellent driving play and ball retention which, certainly in the last few minutes, helped to force the penalty to win the game.

Tynedale opened the scoring after 12 minutes through a well worked catch and drive from the line-out, with hooker Jamie Blamire getting the touchdown, and Taylor converting. Five minutes later, the boot was on the other foot, as Tynedale were penalised at a scrum.

The penalty found touch, and from the line-out, Martin Wolfenden made ground which allowed Rickie Aley to find Jacob Heath for an unconverted try.

Taylor made it 10-5 with a 22nd minute penalty, but on the half hour, a long Aley pass reached Calum Gunn who put Aaron Martin in. Aley converted for 12-10. However, the lead changed hands again when Taylor landed another penalty to make it 13-10 to Tynedale at the break.

The visitors extended their lead five minutes into the second half when a quickly taken tap penalty saw Blamire, displaying great vision for such a young player, produce a delightful delayed pass to send Jack Outson scampering in for his try.

Taylor added the extras and there was daylight between the sides at 20-12.

However, South Leicester came roaring back, with two Aley penalties, one of which brought a yellow card for centre Will Miller, reducing the gap to two points.

Taylor eased the pressure with a 74th minute penalty, but two minutes later a cross kick from the dangerous Aley was gobbled up by Blane Howe, who raced through to bring the scores level. Aley’s conversion put the home side in front with just four minutes of normal time left.

Tynedale refused to panic, and gave the home side a very disciplined pounding in the last few minutes. Finally, they won a penalty which Taylor stroked over to give Tynedale a welcome victory by a single point.

The Corbridge side play host to their most far flung visitors tomorrow when Herefordshire side Luctonians make the 260-mile journey to Corbridge.

Both sides will be hoping the fixture is less traumatic than last season, when Luctonians arrived to find Tynedale Park under eight feet of water thanks to Storm Desmond.

They won the rearranged game at Kingston Park, as well as beating Tynedale at their Leominster home, so Tynedale have a point to prove. The game kicks off at 2pm.