South Shields kicked off the game and had Winlaton in there half for the first 25 minutes that was until Winlaton’s big pack managed to edge their way up the field and score a try under the posts. The conversion was missed giving the home side a 5-0 lead.

South Shields kicked the game back off and this time were straight onto the front foot. Strong runs from leejay Robinson and Lewis wilson whilst battling up the hill, went unrewarded as the ball was lost on the 5 metre line via a knock on.

With the last play of the half from the resulting scrum, Winlaton got their second try of the game. Winlaton held the scrum and worked the ball along the line to the big winger who charged up the pitch and managed to offload his fullback to score in the corner. The conversion was once again missed to give Winlaton a half time lead of 10-0.

This was the first time in a long time that South Shields have been nilled at half time. The team talk from head coach James Robinson was extremely positive and managed to rally the lads, before sending them back out for the second half.

That team talk seemed to work exactly as planned as South shields started the second half with real intent. Strong runs from Stanley Barker and Lee Dixon epitomised the improvement the lads had made.

It wasn’t long until Shields got their rewards for the improved start. Winning a scrum against the head number eight Lewis Wilson was able to pick up from the back of the scrum and offload to Stanley Barker who was able to run the rest of the pitch to score Shields first try of the game. Leejay Robinson slotted the conversion to bring the score to 10-7.

South shields were straight back onto the attack from the restart. Dan Hodgson with a great run. Excellent support play from Chris Wann and Gerard Millar meant Shields were able to quickly recycle the ball back after the tackle. This gave Thomas McManemy and clean ruck to work with, he was able to pass to leejay Robinson who broke the line and was unlucky to be sent into touch.

South shields didn’t let this faze them and from the resulting lineout were able to instantly win the ball back. Phillip miller ran a hard line and with the help of James Wharton and lewis wilson Shields found themselves two metres away from Winlatons try line. Quick thinking from Matthew Ramm who came in to pick the ball up, and run around the scrambling Winlaton defence to score. A successful conversion from Leejay left the score 10-14. Putting Shields into the lead for the first time of the game.

With only 15 minutes left on the clock, Shields knocked it on, from the restart. Winlatons number eight was able to pick from the resulting scrum and score under the posts a devastating blow for the away side. A simple conversion putting the home team back into the lead. 17-14.

In a pulsating final few minutes of the game Ryan Dowens got proceedings back under way with the restart. Winlaton chose to kick back up the hill rather than keep the ball. This allowed South Shields number ten Leejay Robinson to do what he does best and run directly at the Winlaton defence. He was able to beat the Winlaton winger with a excellent step. Josh Baynes kept pace and showed excellent support, however Leejay chose to put his legs to the test and scored in the corner the resulting conversion was missed out wide, leaving the score 17-19 with one minute to go.

Winlaton kicked us back off and won the ball in the air. With a now or never attitude they were able to run down the wing only for South Shields to give away a penalty with only seconds to go. Winlaton chose not to go for goal from the penalty instead opting to kick for touch and take the line out. Shields Knowing they had to compete from the line out put a man up to challenge. Under pressure Winlaton knocked the ball forward and shields were able to see out the game giving themselves and fantastic 17-19 away win.

Man of the match was given to Leejay Robinson for all his hard work in winning back the ball.