HIGH-FLYING teenagers from Tynedale RFC have thrown themselves into the national spotlight.

Not one but two teams from the Corbridge-based club have qualified for the finals of the North of England National Cup, in their respective age categories.

Tynedale Panthers U15 and U18 both won their semi-final matches at the weekend – by exactly the same scoreline – 29-10.

The U15s won away to Pontefract, while the U18s enjoyed their success at home to Halifax side, Old Crossleyans.

They will travel to Yarnbury in Yorkshire on Sunday, March 15, to compete in their respective North of England finals, where the U15s will take on Wakefield outfit Sandal, and the U18s will face West Park of St Helens.

Should they be successful, the girls will move into the latter stages of the overall national competition.

U18 coach Nick Oliver said that he and Nigel Orrick, who coaches the U15 team, were delighted with the what the girls have accomplished so far.

“It is incredible that both semi-finals finished with the same scoreline,” said Oliver. “The girls have done very well and everyone at Tynedale RFC are proud of them.

“They have competed against some of the best teams in the North. It rarely happens when a club gets two teams through to the Northern final.”

As well as sharing the same scoreline, both semi-finals were played out in a similar manner.

The two contests were close at half time, but in each case, the Tynedale girls were the stronger in the second half.

“Credit to the opposition in both games,” said Oliver. “They are clearly good teams and in our match, Old Crossleyans never gave up.”

Junior rugby is flourishing at Tynedale at present, with success for both girls and boys in different age group.

Teenage Tynedale players have been strongly represented at county level in recent weeks.

“The attitude and commitment is first class,” said Oliver. “Our juniors are putting the hard work in during training sessions which shows that they want to succeed. It is great to see.

“The girls can now look forward to these finals which are coming up.”