Top spot for YMCA after win in damp Durham

YMCA went to the top of North East 1 with a solid away win, 39 – 13, against County Durham club Consett.

In very difficult playing conditions the game was even in the first half but the YM forwards wore down the home team in the second period to put the game beyond Consett.

With the pitch already heavy the expression ‘it’s grim up north’ had a whole new meaning as the game kicked off in heavy rain and swirling mist.

It was YM who took the lead on 10 minutes as full-back Sam Fletcher raced through a gap to score by the posts. Stead added the conversion to give the visitors a seven-point lead.

From the restart Consett upped their game and started to pressurise with penalties on both sides – 3-10 to YM.

Eventually home pressure had to pay and on 27 minutes Consett got their reward with a try in the corner with right wing Dan Patchcott touching down and with converting, making the game all square.

Stead and Cook then swapped penalties for 13-13, but on the stroke of half time YM took the lead as Gavin Stead burst through the defence as YM took a handy 5-point lead into the break.

On 52 minutes a yellow card reduced the home team to 14 men and YM were quick to take advantage. A scrum on the Consett line saw the YM pack shunt the ball over the line for Sam Hodge to score and Stead added the conversion, Consett 13-25 YM.

The plucky home defence held out until the 71st minute when Sam Hodge was on hand to score in the corner. Stead again added the conversion for Consett 13-32 YM.

With the clock running down and visibility getting worse the YM scored their fifth try. A Consett scrum on half-way was destroyed by the YM pack and as the ball squirted out scrum half Bradley pounced.

From the ensuing maul Gavin Stead erupted out of the middle with the ball to race 50 meters to score under the posts and with him adding the conversion it gave a final score of Consett 13-39 YM.