The second match of the BUCS league posed a big challenge; away at Loughborough. Preparation had been done on the bus without a word being said between the players. Arriving at Loughborough, it was clear the boys faced a tough encounter with the prestigious pitch in the middle of their campus.

The first half was extremely demanding and physical upfront, with Loughborough drafting in some brutes. This didn’t stop Greg Illingworth darting through a gap to score in the corner. Although the half time score suggested to any onlookers that Loughborough had the run of play, this certainly was not the case; a high penalty count gave Newcastle little opportunity to build pressure. As the teams went in at half time the score stood 22-08 to Loughborough, the Newcastle team also had no hookers after both Atkinson and Herbert took blows to the head.

Despite a depleted front row the second half was a turnaround for Newcastle, Alex Hind had a blinder scoring a try from the base of the scrum and also a interception, it seems Hind just can’t have a bad game. Rory Banks also bundled over to put the score to 31-30 with 2 minutes left. Man of the match George Cullen slotted his kick with nerves of steal to put us 1 point ahead. We again showed our ability to withstand pressure in the last 2 minutes of the game with some big tackles knocking back the disheartened Loughborough.

The final whistle was accompanied by huge celebrations. Newcastle’s ‘never-say-die’ attitude and passion to win the game lead them to a great victory. Loughborough will surely be asking themselves how they let the game slip away.

Match report by Iain Billington