Our fist visit to Northern R.F.C., a club that was founded in 1875, wearing red,blue and white colours. It is the oldest rugby Union club in Newcastle upon Tyne. The Club has produced a number of International players, as well as RFU and SRU Presidents.
Following last weeks creditable draw with Blaydon we arrived with a young team and a changed line up, on a beautiful autumn day, sunshine and 15 degrees, hoping to be treated to an open running game.
Early in the game York are fighting to retain the territory a lot of lateral rugby, the a break out from York’s Chris Hardie takes play into the Northern 22x, attacking the opponents line, a series of pick and goes sees our experienced no8 Willem Enslin force his way over by the posts leaving a simple conversion for Jamie Tanner, 10 minutes gone.
Straight from the kick off, Northern begin to attack the left flank the Man of the Match Tom Chandler,he went around his opposite number only to drop the ball when grounding it, a lucky escape for York. We are now seeing the attacking skills of Northerns no13, Nyle Godsmark creating opportunities on the edges for the outside backs, as another scoring opportunity for the no11, this time he drops the ball with the try line at his mercy. York are now under extreme pressure defending stoutly then our Shane Goulding breaks out to go some 50x, York are awarded a penalty in front of the poles Jamie Tanner strokes the ball over, to give comfortable ten point lead.
Northern retain possession and Will Jobling with raking kicks puts his team into good field positions, it is end to end as the ball is moved wide towards Tom Chandler, who beats his opponent on the outside, this time no mistakes the try is converted by Will Jobling from the touchline.
Northern 7 York 10.
Two more tries for Tom Chandler in quick succession all carbon copies of the first, a first half hat trick, it could easily be four.
In reply York are camping on the Northern line, a series of drives by the no8, Willem Enslin again forcing his way over by the posts, the simple conversion is missed.

Half time Northern 17. York 10………All to play for in the 2nd half?

Commencing the 2nd period, a series of penalties, Toby Atkin our Captain relishes these as he loves to take these quickly, York are dominating at this stage, but are unable to turn it into points.
Northern break out and are awarded a penalty opportunity, then an act of ill discipline and 10x are conceded, this gives away an easy penalty which is gratefully received, by Will Jobling.
Northern 20. York 15.
York are given another lifeline as Will Fordy goes for the line out in the corner, a driven maul and the collapse of that maul sees the Northern no8 yellow carded, but they are unable to seize it.
A poor clearance kick from York gives possession back to that Northern no11, who races 50m beating four tackles to score in the corner, converted from the touchline by Will Jobling. The match has gone for York now, but to add salt into the wound, straight from the kick off, Harvey Guthrie collecting the ball makes a break, then gets a second touch of the ball and scores by the posts, sealing victory and bonus points, surprisingly Jobling hits the woodwork.
Final score Northern 32 York15.

An entertaining game a little closer than the score suggests, with 32 Penalties being awarded! Basic errors and poor tackling out wide cost York any chance of victory.
Man of the Match Tom Chandler for his 4 tries and 2 bodged tries, he is a very good wing three quarter.

Scorers for York…..
Willem Enslin 2 tries
Jamie Tanner 1Penalty 1conversion.
Scorers for Northern…
Tom Chandler. 4 tries
Harvey Guthrie 1 try
Will Jobling 1 Penalty 2 conversions.