ASHBROOKE COLTS GO DOWN IN A THRILLER
SUNDERLAND UNDER-18S SEE UNBEATEN RECORD ENDED BY STOCKTON IN TOUGH SCRAP
Sunderland Colts lost their unbeaten record with a hard-fought 31-24 defeat at Stockton in their biggest game of the season so far.
The visitors started brilliantly and were camped out in the Stockton half, but the home side defended their line well and went on the attack to take the lead with a score in the corner.
Ashbrooke’s Colts then executed a clinical move when Fletcher Jackson sent Luke Carroll away down the wing. He went agonisingly close but was caught by a superb, last-ditch tackle.
Sunderland kept threatening, with Louis Deathe next to break, but he was forced into touch. Continued pressure was rewarded when a superb driving maul from the forwards saw Dev Koca level the scores at 5-5.
The game was played at breathtaking speed, with both sides determined to play exciting, running rugby.
Stockton were next to score, working the ball wide to go back in front, 10-5.
They almost went further ahead but were halted by a last-ditch tackle from Farai Chikumbirike, who was in superb form, and there were no further scores before half-time.
Sunderland won a good ball at the start of the second half but kept making uncharacteristic errors and were made to pay with Stockton’s wing cutting inside to complete his hat-trick under the posts. The conversion made it 17-5. Just when the game looked to be getting away from Sunderland, they showed their determination with a fantastic move setting Chikumbirike away to score a wonderful try under the posts which was converted by Michael Holder.
A superb run from Jackson then created pressure which resulted in the ball being worked across to Matt Hodgson to score in the corner, making it 17-17.
Stockton were straight back on the attack and Sunderland had to defend the line. The Teessiders kept the pressure up though and went back in front with a converted try for 24-17.
Stockton then added a try that the visitors thought they may have held up, but it was converted, making it 31-17.
The Wearsiders continued to show their fighting spirit and Brad Lindsay forced his way over the line for another try, converted by Ben Hutchinson, to reduce the deficit to 31-24. But that was the last play of the game and ended Sunderland’s 100% start to the season.
Sunderland Colts are back in action at home to Ryton on Sunday (11.30am).