On Sunday 12th of October Northumberland U16s made the long trip across to Wigton Rugby Club to play Cumbria in their opening game of the county season. Cumbria kicked off and put the Northumberland defence under pressure for the best part of 10 minutes inside the Northumberland 22 but however the Northumberland forwards won a penalty from the scrum and the pressure was relieved through fly half Jake Rodgers who kicked the ball into touch just passed half way.
Through hard running lines from centres Seb Reece and Alex Tait Northumberland made it inside the Cumbrian 22 and a perfectly executed backs move saw winger Ikenna Obonna burst through to score his 1st of 3, the conversion was added by Rodgers. Northumberland immediately from kick off passed the ball out wide to Obonna who scored a superb solo try from well within his own half, conversion added by Rodgers. Scrum Half Matteo Addis set great tempo for the backs to play with as Northumberland found themselves back inside the Cumbrian half but Northumberland Number 8 Joe Johnston was yellow carded for handling in the ruck.
The ball was cleared and Cumbria then scored from the base of a maul. Half Time Northumberland 14 Cumbria 5. Northumberland applied great pressure at the start of the second half and a wayward pass from the Cumbria centre saw Northumberland centre Reece intercept and run away for Northumberland’s 3rd try, conversion missed. Northumberland again put the Cumbrian defence under some empathic strain only to fall short on several occasions due to unforced errors which stopped it becoming a cricket score.
Cumbria then scored through a loose ball on the blindside of the ruck and then ran away to scored. Northumberland then bounced back building some very impressive phases and shipped the ball wide the captain Alex Tait who finished off in the corner in the last play of the game. The game finished Northumberland 29 Cumbria 10 with Northumberland looking very comfortable in their opening game. They go on to play Durham this Sunday at home which will be more of a test.