After a fine performance the previous week at home to Billingham, Tynedale’s second string welcomed Percy Park for another Candy League fixture on Saturday.

Tynedale Raiders made some enforced changes due to injuries and well-earned first XV call-ups but were still able to turn out a strong squad, and won convincingly 39-0 at Corbridge.

The league leaders played into the bitter January elements during the first half with a strong breeze and spells of heavy rain in their faces.

Following a dominant scrum on halfway, the ball was worked wide for lively full back Harry Remnant to race into the corner, making it 5-0 with only three minutes played.

Conditions for place-kicking were extremely challenging and the fact that fly half Cam Grant managed to only land two successful kicks throughout the match was no small surprise.

The match settled into a tussle with neither side really breaching the other’s defence. However, Percy Park spent a 10 minute period on the Tynedale line without being able to come away with any points.

On 30 minutes, Tynedale played their way up the field and some soft hands from number eight Ed Cawthorn in contact freed the ball up for winger Alex Dryden to cross the whitewash.

On the stroke of half time, the Raiders dominated a series of scrums, and following some close drives, Tom McCullough emerged with the ball over the line for 15-0 at half time.

It might have been easy for the Raiders to coast through the second half. However, with the strong elements at their backs in the second period, they continued to play attractive and controlled rugby.

Flanker McCullough crashed over for his second score on 46 minutes following another series of close drives. This time, Grant was successful with the conversion for 22-0.

The Raiders showed sound game management and continued to play deep into opposition territory. From a line-out, the evergreen prop Colin Scullion rumbled over at the back of a well set maul to extend the lead to 27-0.

The Raiders’ finest play of the game came on the hour mark when a series of excellent running lines and neat offloading freed up centre Rory Cramb to dive over, again converted by Grant for a 34-0 lead.

The scoring was wrapped up on 66 minutes when Adam Todhunter, having a fine game as stand-in scrum half for the day, dummied his way over to score.

A final score of 39-0 probably didn’t do justice to Percy Park’s efforts as they continued to be combative throughout. For Tynedale, their entire front row were extremely dominant in the set piece, energetically led by skipper Ed Craney.

Grant took the man of the match honours for his overall game management.

The Raiders face a tough test on Saturday, away to Darlington Mowden Park as they look to strengthen their position at the top of the Candy League.