IT’S DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR SUNDERLAND UNDER-15S
A buoyant Sunderland Under-15s claimed two wins in a double header with Thirsk and Middlesbrough on Teesside.
The youngsters played an expansive brand of rugby in two shortened games, while helping their opponents out with players.
In their first 20-minute encounter, the Wearsiders pinned Middlesbrough back 29-0, with centre Vincent Hessel bagging a brace, with Zak Kennedy also touching down.
Fly half Chris Rochelle skipped his way through Middlesbrough’s defence to touch down (converting two of the tries himself.)
Finally, from short distance, prop Isaac Mellefont powered over to extend Sunderland’s winning margin.
In their second game, Sunderlandfacedacombination of Thirsk and Middlesbrough, winning 31-0.
Scrum half Tom Howe opened the scoring with a dummy and spin to touch down under the posts.
From 20 metres, Jack Howell powered through, while flanker Jai Swalwell found himself in acres of space, running through a retreating defence.
Hessel and Kennedy added one more apiece, and fly half Adam Shiels notched three conversions.
Sunderland then emptied their bench onto the opposition side, joined by Hessel, as the game entered Barbarian’s territory - a combination of Sunderland, Thirsk and Middlesbrough playing Sunderland, leaving the second half scoreless.
Sunderland RFC Under10s played three games away to Gateshead, winning two and losing one.
The first match was a close affair, with Sonny Hopper scoring tries to edge the game in Sunderland’s favour.
In the second match, a very good Gateshead side won comprehensively with some fantastic tries scored.
In the final match, Sunderland came out firing with Malachi Lowrie leading the way and tries from Ethan White and Ethan Gibson confirming the win.
Sunderland Under-9s were away at Gateshead and caused the home side problems in both attack and defence.
The young Ashbrooke outfit forced turnovers with great tackling and pressure and in attack the running and offloads pulled the Gateshead defence apart.
Man-of-the-match went to Harry Williams who, for the second week in a row, played superbly in attack and put some great tackles in.
Mika Wood showed superb resilience with his attitude in the win on Sunday.