SUNDERLAND GUNNING FOR AWAY DAY SUCCESS
ASHBROOKE LOOKING TO DO THE DOUBLE OVER NEWTON AYCLIFFE AFTER WINLATON BOOST
A rejuvenated Sunderland first XV are looking forward to their short trip to Newton Aycliffe this weekend.
The coaching team hope to field a relatively unchanged squad from last Saturday’s vital victory over Durham/ Northumberland Diviasion Two basement club Winlaton Vulcans.
The Ashbrooke side will also consider the inclusion of players returning from injury and enforced absences.
Both sides played their part in a well contested cup fixture at Newton Aycliffe at the start of the season and only time will tell if Sunderland can manage to chalk up two wins against their hosts.
Elsewhere, Sunderland Under-14s extended their excellent form against derby rivals Houghton with an entertaining 55-28 victory.
The Ashbrooke youngsters successfully dominated the first 40 minutes of the match, building up a commanding lead.
A raft of late substitutions allowed the resilient home side to gain some wellworked points in the closing stages of the match.
Two tries came from Vincent Hessel and pure speed gave winger Zak Kennedy an impressive four tries.
Scrum-half Tom Howe and No 8 Adam Williams strung together chance after chance and with the power of the visitors’ scrum spearheaded by front rowers David Matloch, James Docherty, Alex Ryan and Ethan Ellis.
Their hard work allowed flanker Jai Swalwell to power over from attacking scrum to notch his first try since January.
Winger Ben McRory’s clinical kicking gave Sunderland an extra six points, also scoring his debut try after Kennedy rewarded him for his speedy support play.
Farell Parkin put up a ferocious defensive game, stopping Houghton’s forays on the left wing.
Josh Jobling’s raids, as both forward and centre, were rewarded with an early try, helping Sunderland establish the platform for their victory.
Sunderland Under-9s competed in a festival against Gateshead and Durham City, winning and losing a match respectively.
A great performance from Kieran Richardson and tries from Sonny Hopper and Kian Dunn kept Sunderland in both games, with Isaac Barnes and Kristian Baxter supporting the team with a good display throughout two difficult games.
Meanwhile, the Ashbrooke Under-15s hope to continue their winning streak against rivals Blaydon, followed by a County Cup clash away to Stockton.