The One That Got Away

The visitors celebrated at the end as they probably should have been defeated but the home side couldn’t quite hold on for the deserved victory but should hold their heads high as they were the better rugby-playing side.

Durham is the touring outfit who had previously bettered the much smaller Penrith side earlier in the season but they were to meet a much tougher and skilful set of lads this time around. Durham had a few forwards who could stake a claim for Penrith First team on size and power alone, so the diminutive Penrith pack had their work cut-out but rose to the challenge with courage.

The first half started with both sides fronting up and probing for weaknesses. Durham’s tactics were clear – keep it tight and bully the smaller players but they didn’t reckon with the ‘dog’ that exists within this team now. Billy Waistell epitomised that spirit with some effective line speed and powerful hits in the first few minutes. The first try came for Penrith when Greg Judge fielded a clearance kick and scampered right round the defence to score in the corner (5-0).

Durham then enjoyed a consistent period of pressure and should’ve scored but their powerful runner dropped the ball over the line. Some great tackling by Sam King and Scott Bradley contributed to a good rear guard action but then Durham moved the ball wide and scored an equalising try in the corner. They would have scored again soon after but for the first of a few try saving tackles by Greg Judge meant the half time break came with both sides tied at 5-5.

The second half started with Penrith quickly getting the upper hand and Waistell cutting a scythe through the Durham defence only to be held up after he tried to run under the posts. Penrith kept the pressure on and whenever they moved the ball wide and avoided the much larger visitors pack they looked extremely dangerous. Jamie Fawcett made a break from a penalty and made good ground and was supported well by Nathan Fidler who shipped the ball to Judge who scampered over for his brace. Aidan Young (OOPS SORRY NATHAN FIDLER CONVERTED APPARENTLY - MY MISTAKE) converted (12-5).

Waistell repeated his run through the visitors but this time was stopped short of the try line. Moments later he showed superb handling skills as the home team sustained the pressure. A Durham line-out in their own 22 was then disrupted by the likes of Max Lancaster and Jamie Braithwaite for Penrith and the ball went loose with Fawcett claiming the loose ball very well and then jinking over to stretch the lead to 17-5.

The pendulum then swang the way of the visitors and play was predominantly in the Penrith half although Max Lancaster relieved the pressure with a good break after claiming the ball from a maul. Durham managed a score eventually with their powerful number 8 rampaging through the centre of the home defence (17-10). The visitors kept the pressure up and unfortunately even when Penrith managed to win ball they chose to run back inside towards the visitors large pack and not what they had been doing - attacking the vulnerable flanks. Some excellent rugby was played by both sides with Greg Judge again and again demonstrating courage and impressive try saving tackles.

A move by Penrith really deserved a try. Jamie Fawcett chose to tap and go from within his own 22 much to the frustration of one or two coaches but they needn’t have worried as he showed he could side step a few players and then chipped ahead beautifully. Chasing his own kick, he just failed to ground the ball for a try and the chance had gone begging. But a genuine piece of skill that was central to him being chosen unanimously as man-of-the-match.

As the clock ticked down it looked like Penrith would not just hold out but looked more likely to score again. However this Durham side really wanted to get a result here and they managed to do so when their big powerful runners combined to run the length of the field and despite a ferocious tackle by Bradley the ball was recycled and they scored under the posts. The successful conversion meant the spoils were shared (17-17). The fact that Penrith were so disappointed with a draw indicates how far this side has come in a short period of time. As one coach was heard to exclaim, if they play like that in the County Cup Final they will take some beating!

Man of the Match – Jamie Fawcett