Jarrow Vikings v Peterlee Pumas

In a forerunner for next weekend's Divisional Grand final, JARROW VIKINGS and PETERLEE PUMAS served up a thriller, the Vikings holding on for 44-34 home win.

It needed a length of the field try from Barry Walker just before the hour to turn the game the Vikings' way after the visitors had built up a 14-point lead in the first half.

Jarrow were again missing their influential teenage half backs and called upon veteran George Taylor to play alongside scrum half Todd Riley.

David Norman opened the scoring for the hosts in the first minute and Bruce Parker added the conversion, but three touchdowns in six minutes form Sean Flynn, Andrew Rowlands and winger Matt Storey saw the Pumas take charge.

Gareth Short hit back for Jarrow but two unconverted scores in three minutes from Paul James and James Daniels had Peterlee back in control at 10 points to 24, after 28 minutes.

Right on half time home hooker Philip Wall produced his trademark score, parker tagging the extras  to cut the deficit at the break to 16 - 24.

Norman's second try and a third Bruce Parker goal cut the gap to two points but full back Leigh Wheatley responded in kind immediately, Luke Watson converting to make it 30-22 to the Pumas.

SBC Man of the Match Todd Riley controlled the forwards well and linked with hooker Wall to establish field position, it was from great field position that Wall was able to sneak over for his second and from the re-start, Walker went the length to edge the Vikings in front, the vital break they needed.

From that point the Vikings were in full control and were able to out maneuver the physically larger Peterlee side.

Short added his second and Ben Wilcock picked up following some scrappy play and scampered away for Jarrow's eighth.

The Pumas young scrum half Zak McCluskey grabbed a consolation effort for the visitors, leaving the final score Jarrow 44 - 34 Peterlee.

Jarrow's impressive 13 wins out of 14 games sees them go into the Grand Final as favorites.

 

 Epic Battle sees Record Fall

(Sunderland v Vikings)

With the league title already secure and no team able to knock Jarrow off top spot, they travelled to play Sunderland with plenty of confidence, if short of a couple of key players.

The encounter against Sunderland is always one of the toughest games of the season and this one was probably the best for a number of years.

Despite plenty of players to choose from, Jarrow were missing their 2 influential teenage half backs, however their replacements were more than able and took the game to the home side from the first whistle and it was the trade mark craft and guile of scrum half Todd Riley that carved an opportunity to score and Bruce Parker was able to add the conversion with only 7 minutes on the clock.

It only too Sunderland 3 minutes to reply when Hayden Richards crossed the line and teenage scrum half James Pockilington leveled the scores with the conversion.

In a tight, physical and aggressive first half hour Jarrow were allowing themselves to get rattled and gave away far too much possession allowing Sunderland to exploit this and gain good go forward and field position. This was demonstrated by the hard running and power of Mark Olugbode when he smashed through for 2 quick tries in the 18^th and 20^th minute, Pocklington extending their lead with the boot.

Jarrow rallied when second rower, and SBC Man of the Match, Michael Ewart was on hand to score and reduce the deficit again on 25 minutes, but once again Sunderland struck back on 30 minutes with Davey Williams scoring, to take the margin to ten points again.

The final score of the half went to Jarrow's prop Paul Dodsworth to leave the half time score Sunderland 20 - 14 Jarrow.

Disappointed by the first half performance, Vikings skipper Phill Wall rallied his troops during the interval and it was Wall who struck immediately after the re-start, Parker adding the conversion leveled the score at 20 - 20.

More uncompromising Rugby League followed and neither team was willing to give an inch or take a backward step, then on 50 minutes Olugbode struck again when he smashed through the would be Jarrow defenders, Pocklington reliable again with the boot.

Wall again showed his leadership on 63 minutes when he sniped from short range and Parker again leveled the scores. Sunderland responded with a second score for Richards on 71 minutes to set up a classic battle for the final 10 minutes.

Jarrow were unable to get there structure and organization back and were unable to gain good field position through scrappy play and unforced errors which caused more frustration and anxiety.

Both teams exchanged scores in the final 5 minutes, Ewart for Jarrow and Richards for Sunderland, leaving the score Sunderland 38 - 32 Jarrow

Jarrow Vikings v Winlaton Warriors

Winlaton travelled to Luke's Lane to take on the unbeaten Vikings with a number of key players missing, to ensure a tough and meaningful challenge, Jarrow loaned players across to bolster the visiting side.

The loaning of the players and a particularly strict referee proved to set a stern challenge for the Vikings who were pushing to maintain their 100% record in this year's competition.

It took the home side 16 minutes to eventually break the resolve of the Warriors and it was that man Phill Wall again who showed his leadership skills and finished off a fine attacking move to leave Bruce Parker a comfortable conversion.

Ten more minutes of frustrating unforced errors and stop start play with the referee penalizing both sides heavily in the wet slippery conditions. But on 26 minutes Wall struck again, showing power and pace to score, with Parker adding the extras from a more difficult angle.

Jarrow were working hard to correct many of the errors from previous weeks and were comfortable in control of the contest, despite the constant probing and pushing for a score by the visitors.

The final score of the first half came in the 35^th minute when centre David Herbert showed some trademark footwork to create a gap and break through to score, Parker again adding the conversion.

Encouraged by the limited opportunities given to Jarrow and determined defence, the Warriors took to the field in the second period with a new belief and determination and were soon pressuring the Jarrow defence. But the home side stood strong and soon got back into their own rhythm and it was business as normal for SBC Man of the Match Phill Wall who completed his hat trick on 49 minutes and with the trusty boot of Parker, extended the lead to 22 - 0.

The determined visitors still rallied and pushed for a score of their own, and the loan Jarrow players determined to register a score against their own side.

Bruce Parker was able to register a try of his own in the 59^th minute following some excellent running and handling in the wet and slippery conditions at Luke's Lane.

The final score in the game came in the 65^th minute when the determined and aggressive running of hard hitting second row Barry Walker, paid off when he powered through the tiring defence to sprint clear of the would be tacklers, to leave the final score Jarrow 36 - 0 Winlaton.

Jarrow player/coach George Taylor, who also played for Winlaton, said; "Although this isn't the massive score line a lot of people expected, it was a much better controlled and workman like performance than we have put in over the past couple of weeks, we managed to correct basic errors from recent games in preparation for the big games coming up".

 Perfect 10, Almost!

(Northallerton v Vikings)

Despite this not being the most convincing performance against a much improved Northallerton Stallions side, Jarrow were still able to maintain their 100% record this season.

A couple of forced changes before kickoff, resulted in prop Mark Walker being called into the side although not 100% fit.

The early exchanges saw Jarrow give away too much territory and possession to the eager home side, however it was Jarrow who registered the first score of the afternoon on 12 minutes, when prop Paul Dodsworth powered through the defence, side stepped the full back to score under the posts, leaving a simple conversion for Bruce Parker.

Jarrow continued to dominate and the pressure paid off when Phill Wall linked well to burst through a gap and sprint clear of the defence in the 19^th minute.

Ten more minutes of high intensity  rugby ensued, with both defences on top, reducing the scoring opportunities, until Vikings scrum half Todd Riley created his trademark opportunity for himself and stole over the line to score.

Jarrow continued to push and Mark Walker powered through to register his first of the afternoon on 32 minutes and Parker adding the extra's.

Northallerton managed a score of their own just before the half time whistle and with the conversion leaving the score Northallerton 6 - 20 Jarrow.

The second period of the game started with a bang when Walker smashed through the Stallions defence to score after only 1 minute of the re-start.

This shook the home side into life and they responded 6 minutes later with a converted try of their own.

On 51 minutes Walker completed his hat trick when again he stormed though the Northallerton defence leaving defenders in his wake, Dave Irving adding the conversion.

Once again this sparked the Stallions and they scored again on 57 minutes.

With Walker off the field it was the turn of Irving to keep the Jarrow score ticking over and he showed his power to force his way through, leaving himself a simple conversion.

The determined Stallions refused to give up and scored again in the 72^nd minute to reduce the deficit to 36 - 24 with only 8 minutes remaining.

Walker took to the field for the remaining minutes of the game and continued where he had left off, with the Northallerton defence unable to handle his pace, power and size, he registered another 2 tries to take his tally to 5 for the afternoon and saw him receive the SBC Man of the Match award.

Northallerton finished the scoring with a try on the final whistle, final score  48 - 30 to Jarrow.

Vikings Run Continues

(Whitley Bay v Vikings)

Jarrow took on Whitley Bay for the second time this season, hoping to replicate the 78 - 0 victory in their first encounter.

The Barbarians had strengthened their playing squad in preparation for the fixture and the Vikings were looking to give as many of their younger players their chance to shine.

It only took the league leaders Jarrow 2 minutes to register the first score of the afternoon when ever reliable skipper Phill Wall powered through to score, Bruce Parker adding the conversion.

6 minutes later winger Ian Arkley outpaced the home defence to score leaving Parker the formality of adding the conversion.

On 10 minutes centre David Herbert extended the visitors lead when he showed great footwork to dance through the Barbarians, leaving players in his wake as he accelerated to the line.

7 minutes later Barbarians Adam Reid hit a great line to break through the Vikings defence and score under the posts, leaving Rob Sykes the easiest of conversions.

Normal service was restored for the visitors on 22 minutes when Wall showed his pace and strength to push through the tiring home defence and Parker tagged the conversion on to extend the score to 22 - 6 to Jarrow.

Gareth Short extended the Vikings lead on 29 minutes, with Herbert adding his second 3 minutes later, the trusty boot of Parker converting both.

Scrum half Todd Riley showed his creative craft and guile to create 2 tries for himself in quick succession just before the half time.

Barry Walker, playing in the second row for the first time, showed power and timing to hit a ball at pace to bust through the Barbarians line and fend off defenders on his way to the try line.

Vikings second rower Michael Heap kept the points coming only 1 minute after the re-start and a score from loose forward Anthony Veitch 3 minutes later made it look to be a long second half for the home side.

However the plucky Barbarians struck on 48 minutes when Anthony Millar capitalized on indecision in the Vikings and intercepted a ball to sprint free to score, Sykes adding the conversion.

Again the Vikings pressured and controlled the ball and Gary Bates struck next on 52 minutes, Parker converting. Paul Haggan showed his pace on 55 minutes leaving the defence standing to score.

16 year old Mark Stockman scored his first for the club on 64 minutes and Short added his second to take Jarrow on to a resounding 76 points to 12 victory and maintain their 100% start to the season.

Phillip Wall was again awarded the SBC man of the match award for his outstanding work load. 

Jarrow come out best in top of the table clash

(Vikings v Newcastle Knights)

It was the turn of Newcastle Knights to try and end the Vikings 100% record in the 2009 Summer Conference.

This was the second meeting of the 2 sides this year, with Newcastle strengthening and pushing up into second place.

Newcastle hit the ground running and showed their intent when their teenage stand-off Neil Wickham pounced and score in the forth minute, with both teams struggling with the greasy ball.

Jarrow rallied immediately and skipper Phill Wall pulled the score back with his first try of the afternoon on 7 minutes.

A number of unforced errors broke the flow of the game and Jarrow struggled to control the ball, with Newcastle's scum half Craig Fisher looking a constant threat and the power of huge prop Sellwyn St-Bernard crashing through the middle.

It was the home side that struck next with second row James Ffitch going over and Dave Irving adding the conversion to give some daylight between the teams on 20 minutes.

Ten minutes later it was the turn of Jarrow's teenage stand-off Andy Gray to cross the line and Irving to tag the conversion on.

Newcastle pushed again under the direction of Fisher and the hard work paid off on 37 minutes with a score for Paul Seager and Fisher added the conversion to pull the score back to 16 points to 10.

The last try of the half came on the stroke of half time when Wall added his second and Irving's conversion left the score at 22 - 10.

A tight start to the second half saw possession change hands a number of times before the Knights reduced the deficit again when Fisher cleverly created an opportunity for himself and added the extra 2 from the conversion in the 49^th minute.

On the hour mark Wall completed his hat trick to ease the pressure once again for the home side, 6 minutes later centre Irving crossed the line but was unable to add the conversion.

SBC Man of the Match Andy Gray continued to control and marshal the home side who were showing why they are top of the division, however it was Newcastle who were next to score against the run of play when Dave Cooke took their tally to 20 points.

The final score of the day went to another Jarrow teenager, David Bates and with the reliable boot of Irving left the final score a convincing Jarrow 36 - 20 Newcastle.

Next opposition for Jarrow are Whitley Bay away, who the Vikings beat 78 - 0 in the first game of the season.

Toughest test but still on top

(Peterlee Pumas v Vikings)

The trip away to second place Peterlee Pumas has always been a tough and physical encounter and this game did not disappoint.

In the early exchanges both sides pushed to gain the upper hand and both defences were able to cope with the pressure, it took Jarrow 14 minutes to break the deadlock when centre Dave Irving powered through to score and duly added the conversion. It only took 3 minutes for Irving to add his second to the Vikings tally.

This sparked the home side into action and some resolute defence from the visitors kept the home side at bay until Richard Foster registered Peterlee's first of the afternoon on 26 minutes and scrum half Paul Flynn added the conversion.

With new impetus Peterlee pushed for another score and 7 minutes later were rewarded when prop Richard Thirkhill crashed over from short range and Flynn added the conversion to take the home side into the lead for the only time in the game.

The lead was short lived when prop Mark Walker was finally rewarded for his hard work through the middle of the field, when he smashed through the Puma's defence from 40 yards out leaving defenders in his wake as he sprinted clear to leave Irving the simplest conversion.

Right on half time full back Bruce Parker was on hand to finish off a move and collect an outside ball off the winger to go over for what is beginning to be his trade mark try, taking the score to Jarrow 20 - 12 Peterlee.

It only took 1 minute from the re-start for David Norman score his first for the club since his return fron Gateshead Storm, Irving adding the extras.

Some smart play form Peterlee loose forward Luke Watson saw him cleverly chip and re-gather a kick to scamper free of the defensive line to score under the posts, leaving Flynn the simplest of conversions.

On 52 minutes Irving completed his hat trick of tries, following up some expansive play from the visitors.

On the hour it was the turn of replacement scrum half Todd Riley to show his flare and vision to exploit space to break clear and score his first of the afternoon, extending the score to 34 - 18 to Jarrow.

Ten more minutes of tough physical exchanges and pocket dynamo Ben Wilcock finished off another smart Jarrow move to score in the corner.

On 75 minutes Riley registered his second, showing again his alert support play, Irving adding the extras

Not to be outdone by his brother, Barry Walker scored Jarrow's final points of the day to leave the score line an emphatic 48 - 18 victory to the Vikings.

Irving deservedly picked up the SBC Man of the Match award for his 20 point contribution to the score.

 

Jarrow v Sunderland

It was the turn of Sunderland to visit the unbeaten Jarrow Vikings in the 6^th round of the Rugby League Summer Conference. Despite the Vikings 100% start to the season, they were not going to take local rivals lightly in what has always proven to be a tough physical encounter with Sunderland.

It only took the visitors 1 minute to register their intent when full back Routledge scored with their first attack.

Jarrow rallied and struck on 10 minutes when skipper Phill Wall struck and Dave Irving added the conversion.

8 minutes later Sunderland were back in the lead when 16 year old James Pocklington, who played all his junior rugby for Jarrow Juniors, linked well in support and scored under the posts adding his own conversion comfortably.

It was one of Jarrows teenage sensations who struck next when Andy Gray capitalized on a penalty following some tough hard running from prop Mark Walker. Gray showed his cunning as he sniped over the line and again Irving added the extras.

On 29 minutes full back Bruce Parker showed his lightning pace when linking with some smart interplay and sprinting clear of the Sunderland defence to score, Irving ever present to add the conversion.

Andy Baggett celebrated his return to Jarrow colours with a try on 35 minutes follow a smart offload from Walker, one minute later Wall showed his strength and pace to score his second of the afternoon and 13^th of the season. With the 2 conversions from Irving Jarrow went into the break 30 - 10 in front.

Jarrow suffered a repeat of the first half when Sunderland scored off the first play of the second half, Craig Oglubode capitalizing on some slack defence and lack of concentration, Pocklington securing the conversion.

Jarrow soon regained the upper hand when winger Paul Haggan out stripped the cover defence to score, Irving as reliable as ever with the boot.

Williams struck for Sunderland on 55 minutes, Pocklington again on target again with the conversion.

2 quick tries on the hour mark took the game beyond the spirited visitors, the first came when winger Dave Herbert capitalized on some indecision in the Sunderland defence to cross out wide and Mark Walker topped off a strong display with a try of his own.

On 70 minutes Irving scored a try of his own, adding the conversion, taking his personal tally for the day to 22 points.

2 minutes later Sunderland registered their final score of the day when John Irwin crossed the line.

On 75 minutes Baggett added his second of the day and in the absence of Irving added the conversion.

A length of the field break from Ian Arkley and the conversion by Baggett left the final score an impressive 64 - 26 victory to the Vikings.

Once again Phill Wall was voted the SBC Man of the Match for his outstanding performance, Saturday sees the Vikings travelling to play 2^nd place Peterlee Pumas in what looks like to be a huge game and their toughest test yet.

Valliant Knights put to sword by Rampaging Vikings 

Jarrrow Vikings travelled to Newcastle Nights for the second round of the co-operative Summer Conference following their impressive 78 - 0 win over Whitley Bay in the first round. Newcastle also had an impressive 64 - 0 win over newcomers Winlaton Warriors in their first round, so all was set for an explosive encounter between 2 high scoring sides. It was Jarrow who were fastest out of the blocks when prop forward Michael Tebbs powered over to score with just 4 minutes on the clock. Newcastle rallied well but the visitors defence was too organized and they were unable to breach the solid line. Jarrow continued to push in attack but far too often coughed up possession too easily to allow Newcastle to gain field position. Some smart play on 12 minutes saw Vikings skipper Phill Wall snipe over the line and David Irving added the extras with the boot. 2 minutes later Jarrow winger Paul Haggen outstripped the home defence to sprint  the length of the field to score, again Irving added the conversion to take the score to 16 - 0 with only 14 minute gone. Some great individual play and smart support play saw debutant loose forward, Tom Wilson score on 22 minutes, with the Vikings still in control of the game. Newcastle finally registered their first points of the afternoon, following Vikings indiscretion allowing the home side field position from two penalties. The Knights made the most of the opportunity and crossed the line on 29 minutes. Vikings had the last say of the first half when fullback Ian Arkley supported well and pounced on an opportunity to score and leave the half time score Vikings 24 - 4 Knights. It took 10 minutes into the second half for the Vikings to add to their tally, it came when prop Lee Peacock appeared out wide on the wing to cross in the corner. Newcastle again rallied and registered 2 quick converted tries to pull the score back to 28 - 16 on the hour mark. Jarrow rallied again and pushed for the next score, which came for scrum half Todd Riley, Irving adding the conversion on 65 minutes. SBC Man of the Match, Irving was the next try scorer following a break from his own half and smart interchange play with the supporting players, he was able to add the kick and extend the score to 40 - 16. Wilson and Wall both added another try each to their tallies and Chris Mains stepped up for the kicking duties to add the 2 conversions and leave the final score Jarrow Vikings 52 - 16 Newcastle Knights.