NURL 1sts – 40
Northumbria 1sts – 6
Following an unprecedented number of canceled varsity fixtures the responsibility of bearing the University standard was left to NURL in the showcase Stan Calvert match-up.
The Owls went in to the game with the worst possible preparation after facing national champions Leeds Met the day before in the BUCS Championships. With the team’s focus squarely on Stan Calvert that match ended in defeat. Fortunately injuries and exhaustion failed to stop the march of a full strength Death Machine.
The match took place on the Druids Park 4G pitch and it was clear from the kick off that the unconventional surface suited Newcastle’s Death or Glory attacking style. By the 15-minute mark imperious skipper Michael Ward had crossed twice following typically shrewd running from ‘Stunning’ Ste Moorcroft.
Northumbria seemed shell shocked throughout the opening exchanges as Mighty Ducks-esq Bash Brothers Jo Robinson and Dan Caparros-Midwood upped the ante with some brutal hit-ups and bell-ringers in defence. Veteran winger Kevin Davey soon capitalised on their hard work with a brace of tries; both coming from his trademark ‘Cyber-Goose’ step. The Newcastle onslaught gathered momentum as the bemused ‘poly’ players failed to build any serious defensive cohesion. Liam Mcgee soon took advantage of their confusion with his sublime running from the right Centre leading to a try.
Magic Man Sam Boyd offloads in the tackle
NURL comfortably saw out the remainder of the half keeping their city rivals pointless. Coach Rob Jones master-plan was paying dividends as Northumbria simply couldn’t handle the Death Machines early attacks out wide.
Following the interval ‘poly’ played with a renewed vigour yet still failed to find any sort of sustained attacking impetus. Their coach Andy Kelly, manager of the Ireland International team, had no doubt berated his side for their lack of aggression. Yet despite Northumbria’s best efforts the mauling continued with morbidly Obese NURL prop Will Winter hurtling in to his opposite number with his languid frame causing almost as much damage as the foul stench of vomit on his breath.
Following this early ascendancy NURL’s rhythm was severely disrupted as pivotal Loose-forward Ward suffered a match ending thumb injury. Though the team lost some structure the inspirational leadership role of Ward was ably stewarded by Sam Boyd from fullback. Boyd added a forward’s workload to his normal duties but was still typically resplendent with his kick returns from the high ball.
With NURL’s continuing dominance the Northumbria team began to resort to basic one-up rugby and their palpable nerves were manifested in the increasing imprudence of their fans. The Drongo hordes were left vigorously clapping there trotters mindlessly repeating vitriolic and rudimentary chants to little avail. Their uncouth manners were the polar opposite of the sophisticated behaviour on show from the Flaneur supporters in the NURL bandstand.
Rishi Sumra injecting some plod to proceedings from 5/8
With 20 minutes to go the game turned in to somewhat of a stalemate until Northumbria crossed the whitewash with their only points of the game. The cynical try may have been awarded by compassionate reasons from the referee but it was soon cancelled out by a darting score from man of the match Hooker Rob Seagraves. This was soon followed by the final points of the game with Moorcroft hurtling over the line following a remarkable break from Mcgee and a string of outrageous Newcastle offloads.
The final whistle marked NURL’s third victory in a row in the Stan Calvert fixture. With the Owls once again cementing their league dominance in the city the club now focuses on to the 2nds all or nothing cup tie with Lancaster on Wednesday.
The all conquering team(Clock-wise from top left: Steven Thompson, James Phillips, Will Winter, Sam Boyd, Dan Caparros Midwood, Iam Mcpherson, Jo Robinson, Michael Brady, Ste Moorcroft, Dave Knox, Liam McGee, Rob Jones, Nathan Barry, Jack Lines, Roy Smythe, Michael Ward, Kevin Davey, Robse Greaves, John Kingswood)