Team Northumbria 0 Loughborough 26

Expansion franchise Team Northumbria battled the bad conditions and strong winds to put on a brave display against an experienced Loughborough University 13 at Bullocksteads Stadium.

After a heavy defeat away at Loughborough earlier this month, TN went into the game looking for a strong defensive display. But as TN searched for a win, it was Loughborough who proved the stronger side, in a game that ended 26-0 to the visitors.

Skipper James Hall admitted: “It was a scrappy game in very difficult conditions. However, it was a much-improved performance and the boys fought hard for the 80 minutes. Loughborough are a tough team to beat but we are going to take the positives from today’s game and look forward to next week’s game.”

Head Coach Neil Thorman added: “The conditions beat us today and we didn’t utilise the wind as much as we should have done. Our completion rate was not high and we must put this right going into next weeks game against Hull.”

The first 20 minutes of the game saw a strong defensive effort from both sides. Both teams dug deep and battled the winds. After 26 minutes Alex James went over for the first try of the game, with no conversion due to the strong wind.

After the break Loughborough opened the scoring with James going over for his second after 48 minutes and the conversion was once again unsuccessful.

Soon after Steve Hall crossed the line with a strong effort, but the strong winds once again tainted the kick. Eight minutes later Loughborough once again went over with James getting his hat-trick – leading to the first successful conversion of the game.

Team Northumbria’s defence was soon defeated again, with Ed Branch crossing the line in the 68th minute. And to end the scoring Dan Ljazouli went over in the 73rd minute making the final socre 26-0 to the visitors.

Team Northumbria

1. Ross Wilkinson
2. Marcus Broad
3. Henry Martin
4. Finlay Anderson
5. Jonny Ellis
6. Luke Higgins
7. Jonathan Lindley
8. Ian Sherwood
9. William Bate
10. Gareth Schofield
11. Peter Taylor
12. Karl Brandt
13. James Crossley

subs:

14. Matthew Lumb
15. Andrew Forbes
16. Nick Bagher
17. Chris Dawson

Loughborough

1 Luke Dexter
2 Tim Essex
3 John Riley
4 Martin Edwards
5 Chris McNamara
6 Tom Howley (c)
7 Mark Quinn
8 Ian Keevil
9 Jimmy Davis
10 Dan Ljazouli
11 Ed Branch
12 Steve Hall
13 Simon Perry

Substitutes:

14 Alex James
15 Sam Whitfield
16 Dave Wilson
17 Chris Mark