AFTER two successive last gasp victories, Tynedale strolled to a majestic fifth win from five starts on Saturday.

Manchester side Sedgley Tigers were supposed to give them their toughest task of the season so far, but Tyne swept them aside with a dazzling display of of running rugby which brought them six fine tries.

Director of rugby Scott Lawson said afterwards it was Tynedale’s best display of the season, and few in the bumper crowd would argue with him as the Blue and Whites attacked with power and purpose, and defended like 20 Horatiuses.

The whole side played exceptionally well but, as usual, there were outstanding performances from skipper Matty Outson at scrum half and Scott Powell at number eight, with fly half Dan Taylor, right wing Guy Pike and the swashbuckling Nick Cairns at flanker also sparkling.

There was a rare start for England U20 hooker Jamie Blamire, who scored a magnificent solo try to show what a class act he is going to be.

The Tigers had a huge pack, and some very fast backs, and were thoroughly deserving their four try bonus point. Tynedale, however, were always in control.

Any early nerves were settled by an Ash Smith penalty on four minutes, before a line-out on halfway saw the ball flash along the line to Smith, who made a great break before being held just short. However, he popped the ball up and there was Pike running in to score under the posts for Smith to convert.

Four minutes later, Pike was on the spot again to pick up and score following a bullocking run by Cairns. The kick failed, but Tynedale were 15-0 up in even time.

The shell-shocked Tigers regrouped, playing to their strengths through their mighty pack, and from a line-out catch and drive, prop Ben Black was trundled over to make it 15-5 with 24 minutes gone.

A powerful break by Powell allowed Cairns to rocket up the wing to within inches of the line, but the ball was recycled before Smith broke through for a try he converted himself.

The Tigers finished the first half strongly, and with Tynedale prop Ben Wilkinson in the sin bin, the forwards laid siege to the Tynedale line, the referee finally awarding a penalty try to make it 22-12 at the break.

A 40-metre Smith penalty a minute into the second half was followed by a superb Tigers try, winger Andrew Riley blazing over from deep inside his own half, with diminutive fly half Steve Collins converting to reduce the gap to six points

But Tynedale clicked up a gear, a counter attack from a deep Tigers kick resulting in Rob Parker gliding in on the left for the bonus point try.

Four minutes later, the ball broke loose at the tail of a Tigers line-out on halfway, and Blamire, showing a turn of pace not usually seen in a front row forward, scorched away from everyone to touch down for an incredible try, Smith’s conversion taking the score to 39-19..

Tynedale were still not finished, more scintillating handling and running ending with Powell touching down for a rare try, converted by Smith, to make it 46-19 with 16 minutes left.

Things got worse for Sedgley when lock Alex Powell was yellow carded on 70 minutes. but they finished strongly, piling on the pressure in search of a bonus point.

Smith was also shown a yellow card in the dying minutes, when full back Ron Holloway saw the visitors claim their fourth try.