ALNWICK had the cup of victory cruelly snatched from them when host club Northern stole the points in the last moments of this opening league match of the season.

Alnwick had put up a great fight with their forwards handing out a master class in scrummaging and line-out play to give Northern a torrid time.

Despite being the better team overall, failure to turn possession into points finally cost them this match which was played for the Andrew Bell Perpetual Club.

Northern drove on from the start to force play into the Alnwick 22 to gain quick ball which was swept out along the threequarters for O'Sullivan to score the touchdown wide out with outside-half Job adding the goal (7-0).

Alnwick attacked back, with successive forward drives led by Matty Milburn and James Fernback driving a wedge into the Northern cover. Following a scrummage, prop Dallas Allen was injured and replaced by Garry Hodgson.

Alnwick won good lineout ball from a Northern throw-in. Darren Oliver broke through with the ball shunted out into the backs with full-back Rob Alexander coming up in support.

Northern gave away a penalty at the ruck for James Robson to goal the points (7-3).

From the restart a mix up in taking the kick saw Alnwick have to scramble it into touch.

Northern were awarded a five-metre scrum but their drive was held. Alnwick won the ball and chipped it into touch, stealing the Northern throw-in. Rob Howliston pounded it into touch to push play upfield.

Will Peberdy broke away to take play to the centre line – out went the ball across the three-quarters but the break did not come with the Northern defence tackling hard. James Robson pushed the ball just wide of the posts to miss a penalty.

Alnwick continued to press Northern and after winning successive line-outs, threw away an excellent chance when sloppy passing in the backs saw Northern full-back Thompson intercept to run in a try from 85 metres (12-3).

Alnwick worked good ball out to Rob Howliston – a kick through to the Northern area had to be hurriedly touched down by Dixon. The restart ball was hammered away into the Alnwick half where Northern were awarded a scrum for a crooked line-out throw-in.

The Northern forwards were driven back with their number eight Davison being caught when he tried to break away. Again Northern were penalised for coming off-side, this time James Robson was on target to land a penalty goal right on half-time (12-6).

The second half opened brightly – a sweeping move involving Peter Robinson, Ian Gray and Stuart Archer was carried on by the forwards with James Fernback going over for an unconverted try (12-11).

The Northern pack were visibly tiring with their front row not too keen on holding up the Alnwick forward pressure, twice giving away penalties. Alnwick ran a tap-ball out to Will Peberdy, whose angled run saw him slice through only to be brought down a metre short of the home try-line.

Scrum followed scrum. Again Northern were penalised, again James Robson was on the target with the penalty to ease Alnwick into the lead (12-14).

Alnwick were giving the Northern defence a hard time

Peter Robinson put in a long clearance to gain a penalty line-out inside the Northern 22 and was nearly through when put away with a long pass.

Northern held firm to clear the ball upfield where Job missed a relatively easy penalty, pushing the ball well adrift of the posts.

From the restart, Northern centre Dixon linked up with Smith who was flung into touch by Andrew Shell.

Alnwick were getting excellent line-out ball from Fernback but they failed to take advantage, with some mishandling from the backs. Alnwick brought on Rob Scott for Aaron Armstrong at flanker while Jack Frater replaced wing Howliston.

Northern were forced back only for Alnwick to lose loose ball which saw Northern scrum-half Kay break upfield to kick ahead, gaining a penalty when he was impeded.

A quick tap-move was switched sideways out to Tiffin, who managed to squeeze in at the corner flag, with Job adding the conversion for Northern to edge ahead in the final minute of the match. Alnwick were left bitterly rueing those lost opportunities (19-14).

The Northumberland Rugby Union President Andre James presented Northern with the Andrew R Bell Cup, congratulating both teams on their performance.

Team: R Alexander, R Howliston, W Peberdy, P Robinson, A Shell, J Robson, I Gray (capt), M Milburn, H Sordy, D Allen, D Oliver, J Fernback, Aa Armstrong, C Blakey, S Archer, G Hodgson, R Scott, J Frater.

Saturday's league match is at Greensfield where Alnwick will play Hartlepool Rovers.

OTHER DIVISION ONE RESULTS (Saturday, September 13)

Gosforth 9 Stockton 3

Hartlepool Rovers 78 Sunderland 8

Horden 23 Wallsend 0

Percy Park 45 Ashington 3

Ryton 6 Consett 5