LEADERS SURE TO TEST DEPLETED ASHBROOKE
Ninth-placed Sunderland host undefeated league leaders Acklam at Ashbrooke in a tough Durham/Northumberland Division Two fixture on Saturday (KO 2.15pm).
The Ashbrooke first XV face an enforced reshuffle of their youthful side after last week’s physical encounter away to Whitley Bay Rockcliff.
The trip north of the Tyne tested the limits of the laws, with the home side’s approach leading to several injuries to Sunderland’s team.
Saturday’s clash with Teessiders Acklam will surely test the depth of the home squad, after coaches blooded six colts across the first XV and development team last weekend, including a first XV debut for back Dean Edmundson, who lined up alongside brother Marc and cousin Grant.
A club spokesman said: “It is highly encouraging to see our player pathway from junior to senior rugby come to fruition and, particularly see so many lining up to play senior rugby on a Saturday is a testimony to all the things we are doing right at the club.”
Sunderland’s newly reformed veterans team, the Statics, face a North Tyneside Vets outfit at Rockcliff tomorrow night (7pm).
Sunderland Under-13s put in a gutsy performance against a strong Gateshead team.
Rucking proved to be the downfall of the Ashbrooke lads and the score was in Gateshead’s favour at halftime.
After a firm half-time talk, the young Wearsiders proved that they were more than capable of standing up to the pressures mounting against them from Gateshead.
They scored several tries in the second half, including a try by Louis Jacques, who was playing in his first game of rugby.
Man of the match Daniel Riley produced another excellent tackling performance.
Sunderland RFC stage their ‘warrior camp’ to encourage more women to take part in rugby at Ashbrooke on Sunday (11am-1pm).
A spokeswoman said: “Sunderland Rugby Club wants to empower women to find, connect with and free their inner warrior spirit by giving rugby a try and experiencing the dynamic, exhilarating sport of rugby for the first time within a funpacked, a non-committal, social and fun environment.”
Those taking part will be introduced to the basics of rugby, including passing, kicking and tackling, along with fitness routines.
The camp is part of an England Rugby campaign.
The organisation launched the latest wave of its Inner Warrior campaign this month after a successful first year gave a huge boost to grassroots women’s rugby participation