The Boars traveled to top of the league North Shields Crusaders with a strong looking side until they had some issues with team selection due to work commitments and sickness, however they still managed to put out a very capable starting line up all be it with several players playing out of position.

The conditions for the game were terrible as the rain lashed down and the pitch was very heavy underfoot, the game started very scrappy with several knock on's from both teams, 5 minutes in and Shields managed to get into the Boars 5 metre line with a scrum - a mix up between Matty Carruthers at scrum half, Paul Ridley and Gary Shepherd which resulted in a wrong pass from the scrum half and an easy try for the Crusaders as they fell over the line 5 - 0.

Shortly after the shields try the Boars went on the offensive and on 8 minutes in they had the Crusaders pinned in there own 22 with only the option to kick out, Ben Lane gathered the kick just outside the 22 and hit a fantastic line, the defence parted like the red sea and Ben was in for a great solo try which Dan Turnbull converted 5 - 7.

The rest of half was equal between the teams with neither one getting the upper hand with both defences on top (despite the referees blatant disregard for the Crusaders being offside throughout the whole game)

The Crusaders put together a few phases and run a backs move that sees their fullback (who was their best player) hit a brilliant line through the Boars sliding defensive cover run 20 metres and offload to the winger to beat the fullback, try converted 12 - 7.

Throughout this half (end the full game) the Boars scrum was superb and put the Crusaders under serious pressure.

Towards the end of the first half Gary Shepherd #fat10 gathered a pass on the back foot and in a DOTD moment shipped the ball onto Paul Ridley who was instantly hit with no way to protect himself #smashedribbed = sad times.

HT 12 - 7

The second half was very similar to the first with both teams banging away at strong defensive lines, young Jonny Allan (fullback from Jarrow) was outstanding in his one on one tackling and prevented several tries throughout the half.

The Boars kept getting pinned back by a good boot from penalties but their defense was resolute.

On 60 minutes the pressure from Crusaders payed off and their backs showed pace and a great set of hands (especially in those conditions) to score in the corner again which couldn't be converted to make it 17 - 7.

The Boars pushed and pushed for the remainder of the game for another try but the Crusaders defence stayed strong.

Stand out performers on the day were very much in the pack with Richard Lydiatt, Darren Schoffield, Dan Turnbull, Glenn Crowther and Adam Reay all having brilliant games making yards and hitting all of their tackles, In the backs Ben Lane and Jonny Allan had decent games too.

MOTM - Richard Lydiatt who ball carried extremely well for the full 80 minutes.

Houghton Rugby Club

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