TYNEDALE’S young guns went on a Lion hunting safari on Saturday and returned with maximum points from a thrilling game, which they won 27-26.

Two tries each from 19-year-olds Will Montgomery and the unstoppable Morgan Passman saw Tynedale come back from a 21-5 deficit at the start of the second half to snatch victory by a single point.

Having lost their proud home record by a one point margin the previous week, it was satisfying to return to winning ways in a game played in near perfect conditions. The victory could have been more clear cut, but Tynedale converted only one of their five tries, while the Lions improved all but one of their four.

There was a first team debut for another teenager, prop Oscar Caudle, who came on at the start of the second half, and played a part in Montgomery’s second try in a very sound performance.

Caudle, a member of Newcastle Falcons Academy as well as Tynedale Colts, won the Rising Star Award for Rugby Union at the recent Sport Newcastle dinner.

Tynedale welcomed back Guy Pike and Will Miller to the back division after missing the Huddersfield defeat.

But Morgan Passman, who had scored 26 tries in just 17 games this season, was left cooling his heels on the bench throughout the first half.

The opening exchanges were very even, with neither side having the edge until the 23rd minute.

Right wing Liam Checksfield hared after a kick ahead and gathered the ball well, before Guy Pike romped in for his 16th try of the season.

The conversion attempt failed, and the Lions came roaring back with power and purpose. The ever dangerous winger Devon Constant took possession of the ball near the half way line and produced a dazzling 40-metre run to slice through the centre for a try by the posts on 33 minutes ,with Max Titchener adding the conversion.

Just before the break, the Lions produced a rolling maul, which brought their second try through prop Dan Ali Titchener. They added the extras to make it 14-5 at the break.

Things got worse for Tynedale at the start of the second half, when a smart switch of attack saw Constant grab his second try, with Titchener again converting to stretch the lead to 21-5.

That was the signal for Passman to come on for Checksfield, but it was flanker Will Montgomery who got them back into the game when he chased up a Tynedale kick ahead, and went over for a try, converted by full back Rob Parker.

And on 57 minutes, Montgomery battered his way over again for an unconverted try to narrow the gap to four points.

The Lions appeared to have weathered the storm, producing another fine rolling maul from which hooker Oli Taylor drove over a bonus point try to make it 26-17.

Then Passman showed just why he is the league’s leading try scorer, with two well taken winger’s tries in 10 minutes. Given the ball in space, he blasted past the Lions’ defence on 67 minutes. Four minutes later, he did it again to edge Tyndale in front.

Leicester worked the the ball into a position for a drop goal attempt, but the ball sailed wide. Tynedale are at home to Sheffield Tigers on Saturday. Kick off is at 2 p.m.