TYNEDALE 12 HULL 16

THERE was little Christmas cheer at Tynedale Park on Saturday as a dismal run of form, which had seen Ben Woods’s men lose four of the five previous games, continued.

Tynedale slumped to their fourth defeat in a row as they were outgunned by Hull, making their first ever visit to Corbridge.

The young Tynedale side, which included three 18-year-olds and three who were 19, struggled for much of the game against the well-drilled Humbersiders, who spent considerable amounts of time in Tynedale territory as they completed the double over their hosts.

The defeat could have been heavier but for some good tackling from the beleaguered home side.

Tynedale had little in the way of possession, but to the frustration of the bumper festive crowd, they kicked a good deal of what they did secure aimlessly away into the arms of the grateful opposition.

There were occasional flourishes, with full back Jack Outson impressing early on, and prop Ben Haigh making some buccaneering runs.

The Tynedale forwards achieved parity in the tight, but the line-outs were a little untidy and haphazard.

The ever-lengthening injury list saw Tynedale shuffle the pack yet again, with 19-year-old scrum half Callum Pascoe playing at outside centre, and 18-year-old Will Roberts on the left wing, in place of the crocked Guy Pike.

Tynedale were under pressure from the opening whistle, and were caught offside in the first Hull attack, allowing fly half Simon Humberstone to slot a simple penalty before the game was a minute old.

Tynedale had a let off on eight minutes when they lost a line-out on their own line, but Hull were penalised in the ensuing drive.

There was no escape on 15 minutes though when from a line-out on the Tynedale 22, the Hull pack drove inexorably for the line, and Tynedale were powerless to stop flanker Tom McDonnell applying the finishing touch. Humberstone converted to give the visitors a 10-0 lead.

Tynedale managed to rally, however, and seven minutes later they were on the scoreboard when a penalty was kicked to touch five metres out, and a perfect line-out catch and drive saw the pack avalanche over, and 18-year-old number eight Ethan Clarke touched down.

England U20 fly half Will Haydon-Wood was unable to convert, but Tynedale were back in it at 10-5 down.

It was now Tynedale’s turn to dominate possession, and after a superb break by Haigh, Hull were forced into desperate defence.

But it was too desperate at times, and Hull lock Cameron Curry was yellow carded as half time approached.

After the resultant penalty, skipper Matty Outson darted over from close range, and Haydon-Wood’s conversion gave Tynedale a surprise 12-10 interval lead.

The second half was all Hull as Humberstone’s astute kicking kept Tynedale on the back foot.

They defended heroically, but the visitors were relentless. On the hour, Tynedale were ruled offside, and Humberstone slotted the penalty to give his side a one point lead.

Tyne never really looked like getting back into the game, and on 74 minutes, Humberstone struck again from the tee to wrap things up, leaving Tynedale with just a losing bonus point.

Tynedale are now ninth in National League Division Two North. They travel to Otley on January 4.