John Kingswood
NURL 1sts – 26
John Moores 1sts – 16
The mighty NURL machine was on the road again in their search for Premier North domination. This time their destination was the European capital of grit; Liverpool.
NURL were slow out of the blocks, giving away possession deep in their own half due to offensive handling errors courtesy of Jimmy ‘Doyle’ Phillips. John Moore’s were quick to react crashing over the try line minutes later to put NURL behind.
After some stern words from captain Mikey Wardrobe, NURL began to play with the aggression and assertiveness for which they are world renowned. The Newcastle opener came from the likely hero, birthday boy Sam Boyd, collecting the ball and sprinting 60 metres to the line and under the post to put NURL level.
Again careless handling errors from the restart forced the University’s most successful club to defend fierce waves of attack from the delinquent John Moore’s pack. NURL absorbed all this pressure and converted it into attack with some slick handling from Liam McGee and pristine lines of running to see Kev Davey dive over the whitewash in the corner to give Newcastle the lead.
The half whistle was music to NURL’s ears as they could finally rehydrate and collect their thoughts.
Newcastle was forced to make some squad alterations with an ankle injury to the ‘Wee General’ Rishi Sumra. NURL did not fear, as they had Stunning Steve Moorcroft in their armoury, indeed the gargantuan loose forward put in a fine display in front of his father – Rylands Sharks legend – Henry Moorcroft.
The John Moore’s storm was weathered well in the second half, allowing NURL to play some great attacking rugby, resulting in massive Ian McFear scoring under the posts, hospitalising the John Moors full back in the process.
The persistent John Moore’s refused to be shut out of the game and came back, ever ferocious at NURL, forcing the finest rugby league squad in Newcastle to defend several attacking sets on their try line. David ‘Fort’ Knox refused to concede any tries, bashing anyone with a scouse accent in his path.
NURL wrapped up the game with a well worked try from the familiar face of Sam Boyd scoring once again. Three conversions throughout the match by Rob C Grieves gave NURL the hard fought victory.
Newcastle Rugby League celebrated long into the night with the immaculate females of Newcastle Dance Society, before their minds focus on rugby once again as they prepare to take on Leeds Met in their first home fixture.