Seaham lads taught a lesson by West Vets

With a blank weekend in their league programme, Seaham gave many of their fringe players a run-out in an away friendly at West Hartlepool Vets.

Their opposition may have been long in the tooth but they showed a strong pedigree as they ran three first half tries and a conversion past Seaham’s second string.

The Harbour battled back though and Ian Chapman broke and fed Glen Hardie. He blazed down the left flank and touched down for his seventh try of the season. Connor Drinkwater’s conversion made it 17-7 at the interval.

In spite of skipper Chris Bland’s passion and drive, the second half followed a similar pattern with the Vets running in a further four tries - two converted - to reach 41 points.

However, the Harbour were to have the final say when Glen Hardie doubled his tally for the day and added the conversion to make the scoreline a tad more respectable at 41-14.

With so many carrying injuries at present, Seaham’s players will make the most of their weekend off by watching England host New Zealand next week. They will still need to work on their defence in training though.

Tim Swiel returned to haunt former club Harlequins as his late penalty lifted Newcastle Falcons to a enthralling 23-21 win at the Stoop in Pool One OF THE Premiership Rugby Cup.

Falcons were 13-9 ahead early in the second period thanks to a try from Pedro Bettencourt Avila and eight points from the boot of Brett Connon, with Demetri Catrakilis converting three penalties for the hosts.

Ben Stevenson’s converted try extended Newcastle’s lead, but tries from Lewis Boyce and Alex Dombrandt, plus a Catrakilis conversion, turned the match in Quins’ favour.

South African fly-half Swiel held his nerve to have the final say though, continuing his side’s unbeaten start to the competition.

Elsewhere, Northampton Saints snatched a dramatic 15-14 victory at Wasps.