Tynedale make Haigh in comeback win

TWO tries from replacement prop Ben Haigh saw Tynedale edge a pulsating clash at a windswept Corbridge.

Preston dominated the first half and should have led by more than the 19-5 half-time scorelin.

A pair of touchdowns from right wing Tyler Spence and one from centre Sam Stott, along with two Tom Davidson conversions gave the visitors the advantage, with Tynedale’s lone reply being a dot-down from Joe Mills.

Tynedale hit back in the 42nd minute with a try from lock Chris Wearmouth, converted by fly-half Jake Rodgers, before a lineout catch-anddrive brought Haigh his first try on 53 minutes.

Three minutes later slick handling from wing Liam Checksfield saw Jonny Burden notch Tynedale’s third try, Rodgers’ conver-

sion making it 24-19 to Tynedale.

But the Grasshoppers were not finished, a penalty scrum bringing a try for centre James Fitzpatrick on the hour, Davidson’s conversion nudging the visitors ahead by 26-24.

Davidson then seemed to have wrapped things up with an injury-time penalty but referee Owen Taylor somehow found a lengthy spell of further time to allow Haigh to blast in for his second try with 49 minutes of the half gone.

That put the scores level, and it was left to Rodgers to slot the tricky conversion to clinch maximum points.