This was the Black Bulls first fixture against Wensleydale RFC. We played a combined team of under 16/17’s.

After what has seemed like weeks of no matches the boys were very definitely ready for a match. Wensleydale provided a very warm welcome on a bright, crisp morning.

Darlington kick off, straight away the forwards secure the ball sending Liam Diegan over for a hard earned try in the right hand corner, no points added. Wensleydale 0 Darlington 5;four minutes gone.

2 minutes later Darlington’s forwards win the ball just over half way, good, quick, ball sets up Micky Stevens, to set off on one of his unstoppable runs to score a great try. Tom Larder makes no mistake and adds the two points, Wensleydale 0 Darlington 12.

On the twelve minute mark, the Darlington scrum has Dale all over the place and take the ball against the head, setting up Captain Swall to power his way through the defence and score. Tom unlucky not to add the points, his kick rebounding off the bar.

Wensleydale 0 Darlington17.

Darlington are now in total command of the game; George Cooper put in a great kick form inside our half to send Will Myers on a speculative run. Will kicks on, leaving the Dale defence in tatters and manages to score a great try. Tom adds the points.

Wensleydale 0 Darlington 24.

From the re-start Wensleydale pushes forward, hacking the ball on and eventually scoring under the posts. (Darlington ruing their lapse in concentration!). No points are added – Wensleydale 5 Darlington 24.

Intense pressure from the forwards, lead to Dale knocking-on in their 22. The Darlington scrum makes metres and with James Stoney powering through, he sets up Liam to score his second try. No points added Wensleydale 5 Darlington29.

Darlington are straight back on the Dale 22.Rory Young wins the ball in the line out, setting up the rolling maul. The forwards tale it up to the Dale line, Richie Fothergill gets hands on ball and is unstoppable as he crashes over to score a well worked try. Tom adds the points.

At half time, Wensleydale 5 Darlington 36; what a great first – half performance from the Darlington team.

The second half gets under way and immediately Darlington are back on the rampage, Captain Swall picking up the ball to send Liam off on his customary run. The Dale defence are unable to catch him and he roars in for his hat-trick; Tom adds the points, Dale 5 Darlington 43. With Darlington again pressing the Dale scrum, one of their props goes down injured. Unfortunately the injury looks serious and the referee calls a halt to the match. We learn later the prop escaped without injury, and wish him well.

All in all a great match, credit to Wensleydale for sticking at it, but Darlington were just too strong in every department, giving a brilliant demonstration of Power and Pace (now where have we heard that before!!) Our thanks to Wensleydale for their fine hospitality.

Man of the Match – Rory Young, well done Rory