With a number of key players missing from the squad it was a much smaller than normal Penrith under 13 team that made the trip to Tynedale on Sunday 4th March. This gave an opportunity for those players who do not normally start to make an impact and for more established players to try out different positions.

The host team got off to a great start with their pack driving the team forward and after only a few minutes they forced their way over the try-line for the first score of the game. The Penrith team immediately hit back with a try of their own from David Whittle who also converted to give the visitors a slight lead. However, Tynedale then began to demonstrate good form and dominated the rest of the half scoring a further five tries, two of which were converted. In reply Penrith were limited to the occasional break and although individuals showed strong running there was no cohesive team play for any length of time. Another David Whittle try and conversion were the only further points for the away team and at half time the score was 34-14 to Tynedale.

Showing great spirit and with admirable determination the Penrith players fought back and began to hold their own against this tough opposition in the second half. This effort was rewarded midway through the half when a loose pass was intercepted and Alex Pantechis ran in a try from long range and David Whittle added the conversion. Tynedale managed a further score of their own before a sweeping move, with the ball passing through hands of many players, was finished off by Myles Harrop to make the final score 39-26 in favour of Tynedale.

The game was played in a great spirit and the Tynedale team played extremely well but the Penrith under 13’s showed good team spirit to keep going after a poor first half and they managed to enjoy a game with many regular players missing. Every player put in maximum effort with several players doing well in unfamiliar positions and those individuals that came in for the missing players put in a good performance showing the value of a large squad.

The Penrith squad consisted of: Patrick Bennett, Lewis Birkbeck, Jake Borgogno, Thomas Broadhead, Ben Dixon, Euan Gillespie, Thomas Graham, Thomas Graves, Myles Harrop, Ellis Hook, Adam Howe, Jack Huddart, Will Melling, Alex Pantechis, Kyle Ryder, Keegan Shaw, Joseph Tidmarsh, Lewis Watt, David Whittle.