SUNDERLAND RUN IN EIGHT TRIES IN WIN
SUNDERLAND 52 SOUTH SHIELDS 9
Rampant Sunderland started the new year with an eight-try victory over South Shields.
Following the team’s twoweek lay-off, Harry Price returned to action after a lengthy injury spell and came through his first game back unscathed.
Jason Burke was called into squad to make his firstteam debut after impressing in training, while Joseph Welch retained his spot at openside flanker following an all-action display against North Shields in the final game of 2018.
Shields elected not to compete in the lineout during opening exchanges, looking to draw offside penalties as the Sunderland pack looked to maul.
Their tactic backfired as the seasoned Andy Wordsworth retained the ball and made a break. The recycled ball found stand-off Marc Edmundson who broke the gain line before finding his younger brother Dean in close support to sprint in and around Shields to score out wide. The try was converted by Leon Ryan.
A penalty saw Shields close the gap on 18 minutes, but Edmundson bagged his second within seconds of the restart having gathered his brother’s chip down the wing to race in from twenty meters out, converted by Ryan.
Sunderland’s support of the ball carrier was excellent throughout the game and some enterprising link play was only thwarted by last-ditch tackles or poor final pass or knock on.
After two weeks out, Sunderland’s coaching staff were pleased with the depth and pace of attack and support, being confident that accuracy would improve through the game and through midweek training.
Aaron Stevenson’s power and pace saw him break three tackles through the centre of the pitch as he ran the ball in to score out wide from 60 metres out.
With the scores at 19-3, Shields elected to kick for the posts and take three points rather than for touch when a penalty was awarded on 27 minutes.
Within two minutes, captain Jack Hope scored from a well-worked lineout ensuring a bonus point would be awarded for tries scored.
Shields contested a Sunderland maul from lineout. Luke Victory marshalled the maul well and as yards were gained Wordsworth broke off with ball in hand and ran over the right winger to score out wide for Sunderland’s final score of a half that ended 31-6 in their favour.
A reshuffle of the pack saw James Fraser push Chris Geehan from hooker to prop as Will Sopp was replaced, and Jason Burke was introduced to the wing for Fletcher Jackson.
Shields kicked a third penalty on 43 minutes.
Sunderland’s attack became a little too flat as the second half panned out.
Vice-captain Leon Ryan added a try on 49 minutes. Taking the ball on the halfway line, he stayed strong to bounce through two tackles and stay on his feet to power on to score under posts; his conversion taking scores to 38-9.
As Sunderland’s attacking depth returned, Stevenson showed impressive speed and sleight of hand as his show-and-go opened up a gap he exploited to then outsprint chasing defenders from the halfway line to score under the posts. Ryan converted again.
Stevenson’s day was varied as Kie Hanlon was sinbinned and a reshuffle saw him called into the pack on the back row with Elstob and Welch, as Geehan, Sopp and Fraser formed a new front row.
On 77 minutes, scrum half Ben Hutchinson capped a good personal performance with a try as took a quick tap penalty on the edge of Shields’ 22-metre line to step around defenders and score under posts.
Ryan’s conversion took the final score to 52-9.
Sunderland now prepare for this Saturday’s away trip to Ashington.
Sunderland’s second team was beaten by Hartlepool A in a friendly which saw five yellow cards brandished.
The game was overshadowed by an injury to Luke Robinson. The back row forward was due to play part of the game after a long lay-off due to injury, but started the game and within 10 minutes had to leave the field due to a shoulder dislocation.