ASHBROOKE COLTS HIT TOP FORM IN THRILLER
SUNDERLAND COLTS BATTLE BACK FROM COUNTY CUP DISAPPOINTMENT WITH BIG VICTORY
Sunderland Colts impressed in storming to a 47-22 win over Westoe Colts.
The clubs always produce a fierce encounter, and Sunderland were fired up as they looked to bounce back from their narrow County Cup defeat at Gateshead.
The Ashbrooke lads made a perfect start with a weaving run from Dean Edmundson seeing him over the line, with Michael Holder converting for a 7-0 lead.
W es toe hit straight back though and scored an unconverted try out wide before adding another soon after, following an excellent run from one of their big ball carriers, to go 10-7 up.
Sunderland responded with a great driving maul from a lineout and Dev Koca touched down, with Holder’s conversion taking them 1410 up.
Two converted tries extended the Wearsiders’ advantage to 18 points, with Edmundson’s electric pace bringing him a score before another of his runs set up Farai C
Sunderland were getting into their stride and added another through Edmundson whose pace was electric, converted by Holder 21-10, Edmundson went on another run this time setting Farai Chickumbrike away, with Holder adding a pair of conversions.
Westoe went close with an attack down the blind side of a maul, only for their man to put the ball down before the try line.
From the resulting scrum, the ball was spun wide by the visitors only to be intercepted in midfield by Shoomi Katerere, who ran fully 70 yards to score under the posts. Holder added the extras for a 35-10 interval lead
W es toe started the second half strongly and bagged a converted try, but Sunderland responded well, moving the ball wide right and then back left, as a weaving run from Fletcher Jackson made it 42-17, with Holder converting.
A brilliant solo run from debutant Louie Groark saw him home for 47-17, though had the last word with an excellent run on the last play of the game to make it 47-22 at the final whistle.
Seven Sunderland Under14s have been selected in North Durham’s Developing Player Pathway (DPP) squad in a round robin festival at Billingham next Wednesday.
The players will face other U14s from across Durham chosen as part of the Durham County/Newcastle Falcons talent programme.
Adam Williams, Josh Job ling, David Mat loch, Russell Chapman-Smith, James Marshall, Zak Kennedy and Vincent Hessel have all made the team drawn from Sunderland, Ryton, Westoe, Houghton, Gates head, B lay don and Consett rugby clubs.