After an enforced break the previous week due to a frozen pitch, Tynedale Raiders returned to winning ways with a comfortable victory away to Consett II.

An impressive all-round team performance saw them win 57-19 in the latest Candy League Division One fixture.

The game was played out in typical wintry conditions but on an excellent surface which favoured the younger and quicker Tynedale backs.

It was difficult to separate the two teams in the early exchanges, with both sides struggling to put multiple phases together or to exert significant pressure on the opposition line.

It took until the 15th minute for the deadlock to be broken when a fine turnover by Jacob Brown enabled quick hands to set away the ever-threatening Rory Cramb to score, with centre Cam Grant converting to make it 7-0.

The lead was short-lived, as Consett made good yards with some no-nonsense running, and they scored a converted try of their own on 25 minutes.

Tynedale then ran in three good tries via their backs, for wingers Sean Abram, Seb Jansen and fly-half Tom Robson. Two of the tries were converted by Grant, taking the score to 26-7 at half time.

Consett emerged the sharper after the break and scored another try of their own following some poor tackling from the Raiders from the scrum base, for 26-12.

This seemed to sting Tynedale into life, and for the next 20 minutes, they played their best rugby of the day, with some quickly recycled ball for stand-in skipper John Clarkson to make good use of.

Tries from Adam Todhunter, and a second each for Abrams and Cramb, two of which were converted by Grant, took the score to 45-12 with over 15 minutes to play.

Consett continued to battle and came back with a converted try of their own following some nice handling by the home backs.

Tynedale completed the game in the ascendancy, however, with tries from Owen Shield, and a converted try from Grant, rounding things off to a full-time score of 57-19. Consett deserve credit for their spirited performance, but ultimately the speed and threat of Tynedale’s backs, notably Grant and man of the match Cramb told.

The Raiders’ trip to Novocastrians this Saturday has been cancelled.

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