A win is a win and over the last season or so we haven't had too many of those to celebrate so expecting a young Vulcans side with several changes and some debutants in it to travel to our nearest rivals Ryton and win requires the most positive mindset you can possess.

Let's be fair, Winlaton don't beat Ryton at first team level, even when we've had some of our better sides win's are rare. Veteran prop Scott Urwin who has played first team rugby for the club for over 20 years announced he has NEVER beaten them at first team level. So travelling to them after a start to the season that had been less than brilliant was a daunting task.

Training had been good with high numbers and signs of the game plan beginning to gel coupled with returning players meant that a strong side was selected but as is normal it contained many changes. Skipper David Lowes was in Somerset at a wedding so McQuiod moved from 6 to 7, a full debut for 17 years old Ellis Taylor at 6 with new boy Micky Ferguson making his debut at 8. Regular back row Darren Cornwall moved to 12 to cover an injury to Steve Whitmore, full debut at tighthead for Dean Jefferson and we welcomed back Pat Gillan on the wing for his first game of the season, hooker William Grice took on the captaincy for the day.

A young referee from Yorkshire was on exchange for what we learned was his first game at this level and the conditions were excellent, dry, a slight wind and bright and as usual the pitch was in beautiful nick.

The first half started brightly for the visitors with Ryton having to defend for the best part of the first 20 minutes, Winlaton controlled events and could be a little disappointed they only had an unconverted try from Darren Cornwall to show for it. When Ryton did get the ball they moved it wide quickly and made huge gains around the outside on several occasions and on one such occasion they pierced the line to score a converted try and take the lead, a few minutes later a penalty conceded for playing the 9 at ruck time gave Ryton a penalty in front of the posts which was strangely missed but within a few minutes they extended their lead when their skipper scored in the corner. Winlaton returned to the home sides 22 where they then missed a simple penalty as well. The half ending with Ryton leading 12-5.

Now normally following Winlaton in this situation means we will see a gallant effort and the home side would have scored a couple more tries to get a BP and we would come away with nothing. What unfolded was something different and to be fair something that leads us to think maybe the corner has been turned. Winlaton had a very slight wind and hill advantage in the second half and they used it to great effect spending huge amounts of time in Ryton's half controlling the ball and adding some great scores from Jon Lee and Darren Cornwall and then with 10 minutes to go a rare Ryton attack was intercepted on halfway by Pat Gillan who ran in under the sticks untouched giving the visitors a 30-12 lead and our first point of the season for a four try bonus point.

Ryton at this point woke up, realising the gravity of the situation having their unbeaten start to the season ended by Winlaton of all people wasn't something they could stomach so they threw everything at the visitors and scored another two tries to get within 6 points of the visitors. After the conversion the referee announced there was time for the restart, typical Winlaton heart in mouth time. The last 6 or 7 minutes of the game was the only time the visitors hadn't looked in control within the game, maybe it was nerves, tired bodies and minds or the fact that decent team were having a real go but for the last play Ryton ran from deep and hard and it needed one last big play. It came from the captain on the pitch, William Grice who made his last and most telling big tackle on the young Ryton lock who spilled the ball forward, Rob Pyle picked it up and cleared into touch for the referees whistle.

A historic moment for Winlaton and a top display from a great group of players.

Final score

Ryton 24-30 Winlaton
MOM Darren Cornwall